WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.230 Oppression is the transgression of limits and the violation of the rights of others. 00:00:05.790 --> 00:00:10.289 The most heinous form of it is oppressing one who has no helper but Allah. 00:00:10.919 --> 00:00:12.820 Umar Ibn Abd al-Aziz said: 00:00:13.320 --> 00:00:17.719 Beware of oppressing one who has no one to defend them against you except Allah. 00:00:18.440 --> 00:00:21.940 Indeed, oppression in this world will be darkness for those who commit it. 00:00:22.440 --> 00:00:25.339 The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: 00:00:25.739 --> 00:00:27.039 Beware of oppression. 00:00:27.339 --> 00:00:30.440 For oppression will be darkness on the Day of Resurrection. 00:00:32.060 --> 00:00:33.159 O you! 00:00:33.659 --> 00:00:38.159 The pleasures of the oppressors have vanished due to their oppression, while the shame remains. 00:00:38.659 --> 00:00:43.229 They have moved to the abode of punishment, and others have inherited their homes. 00:00:43.789 --> 00:00:47.789 They are left alone with the torment in the depths of those stones. 00:00:48.289 --> 00:00:50.289 There is no rescuer and no companion. 00:00:50.789 --> 00:00:53.289 No friend and no neighbor. 00:00:54.179 --> 00:00:57.679 The poet Hashim al-Rifa'i wrote this poem. 00:00:58.179 --> 00:01:00.179 From the perspective of an oppressed man. 00:01:00.679 --> 00:01:04.680 He sent it to his father on the night of his execution. 00:01:05.180 --> 00:01:10.040 My father, what can my fingers write? 00:01:10.540 --> 00:01:14.040 While the rope and the executioner await me. 00:01:14.540 --> 00:01:22.390 My father, what can my fingers write? 00:01:22.890 --> 00:01:29.890 While the rope and the executioner await me. 00:01:30.390 --> 00:01:37.390 This letter is to you from a cell. 00:01:37.890 --> 00:01:44.890 Cold, with walls of stone. 00:01:45.390 --> 00:01:52.420 Only one night remains for me to live. 00:01:52.920 --> 00:01:59.420 And I feel that its darkness is my shroud. 00:01:59.920 --> 00:02:06.420 It will pass, my father, I have no doubt. 00:02:06.920 --> 00:02:13.419 And after it, my body will be carried away. 00:02:13.419 --> 00:02:21.969 The night around me is a deathly silence. 00:02:22.469 --> 00:02:28.969 And memories churn within my soul. 00:02:29.469 --> 00:02:35.969 My pain overwhelms me, so I seek comfort. 00:02:36.469 --> 00:02:42.969 In a few verses of the Qur'an. 00:02:43.969 --> 00:02:50.469 My soul within me is transparent. 00:02:50.969 --> 00:02:57.469 Humility has crept into it and shaken my being. 00:02:57.969 --> 00:03:01.469 I have lived believing in Allah. 00:03:01.969 --> 00:03:09.569 And only recently did I taste the sweetness of faith. 00:03:10.569 --> 00:03:20.490 The silence is broken by the clinking of chains. 00:03:20.990 --> 00:03:26.490 Which the fingers of the jailer have toyed with. 00:03:26.990 --> 00:03:33.490 From a slit in the door, he watches his prey. 00:03:33.990 --> 00:03:39.490 And returns in safety to his rounds. 00:03:40.490 --> 00:03:47.219 I do not feel any hatred toward him. 00:03:47.719 --> 00:03:53.219 What crime did I commit that his malice should touch me? 00:03:53.719 --> 00:03:59.219 The tear of the prisoner there in his shackles. 00:03:59.719 --> 00:04:05.219 And the blood of the martyr here will meet. 00:04:06.219 --> 00:04:11.719 And the succession of drops will descend after it. 00:04:12.219 --> 00:04:18.970 A torrent followed by the outpouring of a flood. 00:04:19.470 --> 00:04:28.779 My father, if the morning rises upon the world. 00:04:29.279 --> 00:04:35.779 And the light of the sun illuminates every place. 00:04:35.779 --> 00:04:42.279 And the birds welcome the morning among the branches. 00:04:42.779 --> 00:04:48.279 A new day, bright with colors. 00:04:48.779 --> 00:04:55.279 And you hear the sounds of optimism flowing. 00:04:55.779 --> 00:05:01.279 From the mouth of the milk seller. 00:05:02.279 --> 00:05:07.779 And a knock comes, as is customary at our door. 00:05:08.279 --> 00:05:13.779 It will be the jailer knocking at the prison door. 00:05:14.279 --> 00:05:22.670 And after a moment, I will be swaying. 00:05:23.170 --> 00:05:28.670 In the rope, suspended from the gallows. 00:05:29.730 --> 00:05:35.230 I do not want you to live broken. 00:05:35.730 --> 00:05:41.230 In the crowd of pains and sorrows. 00:05:41.730 --> 00:05:48.230 For your son, shackled in his chains. 00:05:48.730 --> 00:05:54.230 Has been led toward death, though innocent. 00:05:54.230 --> 00:06:00.730 So remember the stories of the morning days. 00:06:01.230 --> 00:06:06.730 That you told me about the love of the homeland. 00:06:07.230 --> 00:06:21.250 And if you hear my mother’s wailing in the darkness. 00:06:21.250 --> 00:06:27.750 Weeping for a youth lost in its prime. 00:06:28.250 --> 00:06:33.750 And she hides the heartaches in her depths. 00:06:34.250 --> 00:06:40.750 Pain she conceals from the neighbors. 00:06:41.250 --> 00:06:46.750 Then ask her to forgive me, for I. 00:06:46.750 --> 00:06:53.250 Seek nothing from her but forgiveness. 00:06:53.750 --> 00:06:59.250 The ringing of her voice still echoes in my ears. 00:06:59.750 --> 00:07:05.250 And her words spoken with mercy and tenderness. 00:07:05.750 --> 00:07:13.250 "My son, I have become frail." 00:07:13.250 --> 00:07:19.750 "I have no strength left for sorrows." 00:07:20.250 --> 00:07:25.750 "So gladden my heart by searching for." 00:07:26.250 --> 00:07:31.750 "A righteous wife, and leave your disobedience." 00:07:32.250 --> 00:07:38.100 She had a cherished wish. 00:07:39.100 --> 00:07:45.600 Oh, how beautiful her hopes and aspirations were. 00:07:46.100 --> 00:07:51.600 And now I do not know in what state. 00:07:52.100 --> 00:07:57.600 You will spend the night, or in what heart. 00:07:58.100 --> 00:08:04.600 This is what I have written to you, my father. 00:08:04.600 --> 00:08:10.100 Some of what is running through a suffering mind. 00:08:10.600 --> 00:08:17.100 Until we meet under the shade of a justice. 00:08:17.600 --> 00:08:23.100 Where judgments and the scales are sacred. 00:08:23.600 --> 00:08:28.420 Until we meet under the shade of a justice.