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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Greater Sins Volume 2 The Thirtieth Greater Sin: Not Helping the Oppressed The thirtieth sin, which is mentioned as a Greater sin, is ‘not helping the oppressed people’ and ‘not warding off oppression from them’.

In the tradition of Amash, Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) says, “…and not helping the oppressed (is a greater sin).” To defend the oppressed is to help them ward off evil; not performing such a task is shirking a great duty which Allah has made incumbent upon us.

Imam Musa al-Kadhim (a.s.) says: “If a person due to some difficulty takes refuge with his Muslim brother but inspite of being capable of helping him does not do so then he has for his own self cut off the Divine help.” ^1 Allah (S.w.T.) does not help a believer who does not help his brother in faith and leaves him on his own.

Imam as-Sadiq (a.s.) has mentioned that, “A believer who inspite of being financially capable does not help another believer will be degraded by Allah in this world as well as the Hereafter.” Similarly Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.) says: “None of you should go to a place where a tyrant ruler is oppressing, and killing innocent people, if you are not capable of helping the oppressed.

Because in event of a believer being present in such a place it would be his religious duty to help his believing brothers. But if he is not present at that place the obligation will not exist.” ^2 Umrū bin Qays says, “My cousin and I went to meet Imam Husain (a.s.) when he was surrounded by the army of Yazid (l.a.). Imam (a.s.) conversed with us briefly and then asked, ‘Would you like to help me?’ I replied, ‘I have a family to look after, besides I also have some trusts of some people with me.

I don’t know what my end would be and I don’t want that the property of those people, which I have as trust should be destroyed.’ My cousin also offered the same explanation.” Imam Husain (a.s.) said, “If you cannot offer your assistance to me you must go far away from this desert so that you may not be able to hear my plaintive cry for help.

Because if anyone is to hear our cry for help and does not respond, it would be incumbent upon Allah to throw him in the fire (Hell).” ^3 Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) says: “A Jewish scholar was punished with fire maces in his grave with such severity that the flames leapt out from inside.