One Hundred And Fifty Lessons For Life

Lesson Fifty One: Signs of an Oppressor

Imam ‘Ali (a.s.) said:

Translation

The oppressor has three signs: oppresses those who are higher than him through opposition and disobedience, and oppresses those who are inferior to him through violence and predominance, and cooperates with other oppressors.[^1]

Brief Description

When the ugly urge to oppress becomes ingrained and dominates one’s mind, it shows up in different ways depending on the situation. If he cannot oppress overtly a strong opponent, the oppression takes subtle forms like disobedience and dereliction of duties. Against the weak, the oppressor resorts to open aggression, force, violence and injustice . Another sign of an oppressor is that he selects his friends and companions from among the unjust.

[^1]: Nahjul Balaghah