In contemporary public debate, especially when authoritarian leaders fall or are arrested, public opinion often reacts emotionally, assuming that any outcome is just simply because it affects an oppressor. From an Islamic perspective, however, justice requires a deeper and more disciplined reflection, one that clearly distinguishes between historical events and moral legitimacy.
In Islam, Allah is Al-ʿAdl, the Just. Divine justice is not equivalent to revenge, nor does it coincide with the mere replacement of one unjust power with another. The Qur’an teaches that Allah may allow one wrongdoer to be overtaken by another as a form of trial, warning, or historical consequence. This does not mean that injustice has become acceptable, but rather that injustice often generates further injustice when it is not addressed through ethical and lawful means.
The Qur’an states that Allah may allow some wrongdoers to prevail over others because of what they themselves have committed. This principle helps explain why history does not always reflect full justice. Historical outcomes are not necessarily moral verdicts. The fall of an oppressor does not automatically transform his adversary into a righteous actor.
A crucial point must be clearly understood, especially by non-Muslim readers. In Islamic theology, the fact that Allah allows an event to occur does not imply moral approval of that event. Islam makes a clear distinction between what is permitted to happen as part of a historical test and what is ethically just. Injustice remains injustice, even when it strikes another wrongdoer.
This principle is reinforced by a well-known teaching of the Prophet Muhammad, who instructed believers to support both the oppressed and the oppressor. When asked how an oppressor could be helped, he replied that helping the oppressor means preventing him from committing oppression. This teaching introduces a universal moral responsibility that goes beyond religious boundaries. Stopping injustice must not involve becoming unjust oneself.
For a broader audience, the core message can be summarized in simple terms. Justice based on force, arbitrariness, or unilateral action is not true justice. Even when it targets someone who has committed serious wrongdoing, it remains dangerous because it undermines the rules that protect everyone. Islam does not defend tyrants, but it firmly rejects the idea that their removal should take place through methods that produce new injustice and instability.
The European Muslims League believes that this perspective offers a meaningful contribution to global dialogue on justice, responsibility, and international order. Condemning oppression is a moral obligation shared across cultures and beliefs. However, justifying injustice because it is directed against an oppressor is a profound error that risks normalizing a world governed by power rather than by law.
In this context, the President of the European Muslims League, Alfredo Maiolese, stated:
“Condemning oppression is a moral duty shared by believers and non-believers alike. However, no cause, however justified, can legitimize injustice as a tool. When force replaces law, even the fall of a tyrant risks generating new forms of oppression. Peace and lasting justice can only grow from respect for rules, human dignity, and shared responsibility.”
From an Islamic point of view, as from any authentic ethical vision, true justice does not arise from revenge or humiliation, but from accountability, restraint, and respect for human dignity. Only by upholding these principles can societies avoid replacing one injustice with another and work toward a more stable and just future.
When an Oppressor Is Struck by Another Oppressor. An Islamic Perspective for a Wider Audience.
