Quran’s Verse Underlines Victory of Oppressed
The Quranic plan is annually organized in summer with the aim of promoting memorization of the Holy Book and spreading the Quranic culture and teachings in society.
This is the 1455th year since the revelation of the Holy Quran to the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and hence the name ‘1455’.
In this plan, every week some verses of the Quran with special themes are selected and their interpretations are discussed in various TV and radio programs.
Then a competition is held about the lessons and discussions.
Following is an interpretation of verse 5 of Surah Al-Qasas of the Holy Quran, given in the “1455 Quranic Plan”:
“And We desired to show favor unto those who were oppressed in the earth, and to make them examples and to make them the inheritors.”
This verse, which comes within verses about the story of Prophet Moses (AS) and pharaoh and pharaoh’s atrocities, points to the victory of the oppressed in the earth.
What a powerful and hope-giving verse! It has been presented as a general rule and in future progressive tense so that one might not think it is only about the oppressed on Bani Isra’il and the rule of pharaoh.
It says: “We desired to…”. That is to say, pharaoh wanted to obliterate Bani Isra’il, but “We wanted them to become strong and achieve victory.” He (pharaoh) wanted the power be in the hands of the arrogant forever but “it was Our will to give the power to the oppressed” and that was what ultimately happened.
This is how God blesses the oppressed. But who are the oppressed and what are their characteristics?
The oppressed are not the weak and those who are incompetent and powerless. The oppressed are those who have potential and actual powers but have been put under severe pressure by the oppressors and despots. However, they do not remain silent and are not submissive. They constantly make efforts to break the chains and get free from the oppressors and uphold the truth and justice.
God has promised to help such people and give them the power in the earth, not to those who are shiftless and cowardly and are not prepared even to cry out let alone rise up and sacrifice.
This verse is not about a temporary plan about Bani Isra’il but about a general rule for all ages and all peoples.
This is good news about the victory of the truth over falsehood and of faith over Kufr. It is good news for all noble-thinking people who seek the dominance of justice and an end to oppression and injustice.
One example of the materialization of this Divine promise was about the rule of Bani Isra’il and the decline of the rule of pharaohs. Another, more perfect example of it was the rule of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) after the advent of Islam.
An even greater instance is the rule of truth and justice all over the world after the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (May God hasten his glad advent).
This verse is among those that clearly give the good news of such a government.
Of course the fact that the government of Imam Mahdi (AS) will ultimately come does not negate Islamic governments established by the oppressed before it and whenever they prepare the grounds, God’s promise will be realized and they will achieve this victory.
