How does the Quran warn humans against self-oppression?

The Holy Quran, as the divine word and a complete guide for human life, eloquently and profoundly warns humanity against all forms of harm and deviation, especially 'self-oppression' (zulm al-nafs). Self-oppression is a broad and multifaceted concept that is not limited to physical harm; rather, it encompasses any act that tarnishes the human spirit, psyche, and dignity, leading one away from the path of felicity and closeness to God. The Quran, by clarifying the various dimensions of this oppression, its consequences, and the ways to escape it, delivers a serious warning to humanity to tread the path of perfection with awareness and insight. One of the central ways the Quran warns against self-oppression is by defining and explaining 'Shirk' (associating partners with God) as the greatest oppression. Shirk, meaning placing anything in the position of God – be it idols, carnal desires, power, wealth, or anything else – is the most fundamental form of self-oppression. Allah Almighty states in Surah Luqman, verse 13: 'Indeed, association [with Him] is great oppression.' This verse explicitly identifies Shirk as the greatest injustice because it distances humanity from the sole source of truth and meaning, leading them towards meaningless multiplicities and false deities. When a human considers a partner for God, they lose their true identity, which is servitude and connection with the Lord. This act causes the human soul to wander in the labyrinth of material and spiritual idols, deprived of true peace and guidance. This type of oppression shakes the existential foundations of human beings and diverts them from their primary path of creation, which is monotheism and the worship of One God. The second way the Quran warns about self-oppression is by emphasizing adherence to 'Divine Limits' (Hudood Allah) and avoiding transgression. For the welfare of humanity, God has established laws and regulations (limits), and transgressing them is a manifestation of self-oppression. These limits include moral, social, economic, and devotional laws. Whenever a person crosses these boundaries, they are, in fact, oppressing themselves. For example, in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 229, it states: 'And whoever transgresses the limits of Allah – it is those who are the wrongdoers.' This transgression can include major and minor sins, injustice, lying, backbiting, oppressing others, wasting time and opportunities, and any act that disrupts the perfect divine order. The Quran repeatedly warns that these actions not only harm others but also corrupt the individual's own soul and psyche, as human nature is built upon purity and justice, and it becomes contaminated and sick with sin and oppression. These injustices distance humans from moral virtues and plunge them into a whirlpool of vices, the result of which is nothing but inner dissatisfaction and spiritual unrest. The third Quranic strategy is to explain the truth that God never oppresses His servants; rather, it is humans who oppress themselves. This point is crucial for dispelling any illusions about divine justice and human accountability. In Surah An-Nahl, verse 33, it states: 'And We did not wrong them, but they were wronging themselves.' This verse and similar ones place full responsibility for human actions on the individuals themselves. Every negative outcome, every hardship, and every suffering that a person experiences is the product of their own choices and actions. By stating this, the Quran removes any excuses and deflections from humans and calls them to reflect on their deeds. This concept teaches humanity that their destiny is in their own hands, and their actions, even if seemingly harming others, ultimately return to their own soul. For instance, an individual who does not properly utilize divine blessings or uses their knowledge for corruption has, in fact, oppressed themselves, as they have deprived themselves of the opportunity for growth and perfection and exposed themselves to divine punishment. The fourth way the Quran warns against self-oppression is by depicting its severe consequences in this life and the hereafter. By detailing worldly consequences such as loss of blessings, anxiety, insecurity, and otherworldly consequences such as the torment of Hellfire, eternal regret, and separation from divine mercy, the Quran deters humans from committing self-oppression. Many verses vividly portray scenes of the Day of Judgment and the remorse of the oppressors to have a deterrent effect. In Surah Al-Kahf, verse 49, it states: 'And your Lord does not oppress anyone,' and it continues to state that the book of deeds will be laid open, and humanity will find present whatever they did. This constant reminder of precise accountability calls humanity to vigilance, to take every step cautiously, and to avoid actions that will ultimately lead to nothing but regret. The otherworldly consequences of self-oppression are more severe than any worldly torment, as they are eternal and irreparable. These warnings are not meant to instill baseless fear but are an effort to awaken human conscience and intellect to prevent falling into the abysses of spiritual destruction. Fifth, and perhaps most importantly, is the opening of the door of 'repentance' (Tawbah) and returning to God. The Quran makes the path of return and rectification easy even for those who have oppressed themselves. This invitation to repentance is itself a warning for humans not to persist in self-oppression and not to despair of divine mercy. In Surah Al-A'raf, verse 23, the story of Adam and Eve is mentioned, who after their sin said: 'Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers.' This confession and repentance show the way to liberation from oppression. The Quran states that God is Most Forgiving and Most Merciful, and whoever repents sincerely will have their sins forgiven. This opportunity for repentance is itself a kind of warning; it encourages humans to return to truth before it is too late and they become engrossed in self-oppression. Not accepting this opportunity and persisting in sin and heedlessness is another form of self-oppression that can lead to hardening of the heart and inability to return. Repentance is not just a cleansing of past sins but a process of inner transformation and spiritual growth that frees humanity from the captivity of the commanding self and leads them towards self-knowledge and knowledge of God. In summary, the Quran comprehensively defines the concept of self-oppression in its various dimensions (creedal, moral, practical), explains its roots and manifestations (Shirk, transgression of divine limits), warns against its severe worldly and otherworldly consequences, and also opens the door of repentance and return. It strives to protect humanity from this great harm. These warnings are not merely to instill fear, but to awaken the divine nature within humanity and guide them towards a life full of peace, justice, and felicity. The Quran teaches us that we are responsible for our actions, and whatever we gain or lose is a result of our own choices. This deep understanding is the fundamental basis for self-development and protecting the soul from all forms of oppression.