Is refraining from defending oneself against someone of high social standing—for fear of sin—correct, or is it permissible to defend oneself regardless of the abuser's status?

Forgiving those who do wrong is a virtuous character trait encouraged by Islamic law. Many verses attest to this, such as the Almighty’s saying: "And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a Garden whose width is the heavens and earth, prepared for the righteous. Those who spend [in the cause of Allah] during ease and hardship and who restrain anger and who pardon the people - and Allah loves the doers of good" [Quran 3:133-134]. And His saying: "And let them pardon and overlook. Would you not like that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful" [Quran 24:22].

If the wronged person wishes to seek justice for themselves without transgression, it is permissible for them, based on the Almighty’s saying: "And whoever avenges himself after he has been wronged - those have not upon them any cause [for blame]" [Quran 42:41]. And the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "The two who revile each other, what they say [of sin] is upon the one who began it, unless the wronged one transgresses." However, patience and forgiveness are better, based on the Almighty’s saying: "But whoever is patient and forgives – indeed, that is of the matters [requiring] determination" [Quran 42:43]. And the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Allah does not increase a servant in anything due to forgiveness except honor."

As for forgiving not for the sake of Allah but, for instance, for social status, there is no sin upon the one who does it, but they miss out on the reward. Hypocrisy (Riya') is specific to good deeds from which there is no benefit except for their doer. As for actions whose benefit extends to others, they are considered good even if not done for the sake of Allah, except that the reward and recompense for them are specifically for those who purified their intention for Allah.