The Root of Self-Oppression

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Shaikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

When a person does not act upon the truth he needs – neither affirms nor loves it, he becomes an oppressor of himself. When he affirms falsehood or loves it, pursuing his own desires, he oppresses himself.

This self-oppression stems from following conjecture and that which the soul desires through personal opinions and (vain) desires.

Bidah represents the root of evil, and it is tantamount to prioritising one’s intellect over divine revelation and choosing personal desires over obedience to commands; and adhering to guidance is the foundation of goodness, as Allah said:

فَإِمَّا يَأۡتِيَنَّڪُم مِّنِّى هُدً۬ى فَمَنِ ٱتَّبَعَ هُدَاىَ فَلَا يَضِلُّ وَلَا يَشۡقَىٰ

وَمَنۡ أَعۡرَضَ عَن ذِڪۡرِى فَإِنَّ لَهُ ۥ مَعِيشَةً۬ ضَنكً۬ا وَنَحۡشُرُهُ ۥ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَـٰمَةِ أَعۡمَىٰ

Then if there comes to you guidance from Me, then whoever follows My Guidance shall neither go astray, nor fall into distress and misery. But whosoever turns away from My Reminder (i.e. neither believes in this Qur’an nor acts on its orders, etc.) verily, for him is a life of hardship, and We shall raise him up blind on the Day of Resurrection. [Taha  123-124]

Source:

شرحُ حديث ٱللهم إني ظلمت نفسي ظلما كثيرا

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