Verily, Allah tortures those who torture people in this world

Explanation

Hishām ibn Hakīm ibn Hizām (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) passed by non-Arab peasants in the Levant who were made to stand under the scorching sun, so he asked about their situation. He was informed that they were treated that way because they had not paid Jizyah despite their ability to pay it. Thereupon, Hishām (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I testify that I heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: Verily, Allah tortures those who torture people unjustly in this world.

Lessons

• Jizyah is: a sum of money imposed on adult, wealthy men from the People of the Book in exchange for their protection and residence in the land of Islam.
• The prohibition of torturing people, even disbelievers, without a Shariah-approved justification.
• Warning oppressors against oppression.
• Adherence of the Prophet's Companions to enjoining goodness and forbidding evil.
• An-Nawawi said: This refers to torture without a just cause, so it does not include lawful punishment such as Qasās (retaliatory punishment), Hudūd (prescribed penalties), Ta‘zīr (discretionary punishment), and the like.