All praise is due to Allah and may His choicest salutations descend upon our Master and Leader Muhammad Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam
“We sent aforetime our messengers with clear Signs and sent down with them the Book and the Balance so that men may stand forth in Justice.” (57:25).
The concept of Justice serves as the edifice of Islam. Justice is the underlying rationale of every law of the Quran, and permeates all Islamic values, since there can be no sense of peace in the absence of justice. In the verse mentioned above the phrase ‘Our Messengers’ shows that justice has been the goal of all revelation and scriptures sent to humanity. The verse also shows that justice must be measured and implemented by the standards and guidelines set by revelation.
Timeless commitment to Justice:
The timeless commitment of the Quran to the basic standards of justice is found in its declaration:
“And the Word of your Lord has been fulfilled in truth and in justice. None can change His Words.” (6:115)
The Quranic concept of justice also extends justice to being a personal virtue, and one of the standards of moral excellence that a believer is encouraged to attain as part of his proximity to the Creator.
“…Be just, for it is closest to Allah consciousness…” (5:8)
To render justice is a trust that Allah has conferred on the human being and, like all other trusts, its fulfilment must be guided by a sense of responsibility Thus, the Quran states: “Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due, and when you judge between people, judge with justice…” (4:58)
Justice even at the cost of your own Interest:
The Qur’anic standards of justice transcend considerations of race, religion, colour, and creed, as Muslims are commanded to be just to their friends and foes alike:
“O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even if it be against yourselves, your parents, and your relatives, or whether it is against the rich or the poor…” (4:135)
With specific regard to relations with non-Muslims, the Quran further states:
“Allah does not forbid you from doing good and being just to those who have neither fought you over your faith nor evicted you from your homes…” (60:8)
Deal justly with your Enemy!
Even hatred for a people should not lead one to do injustice. “O ye who believe! Stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to Piety: and fear Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do.” (5:8) In other words you cannot do injustice even when you are dealing with the enemy. The natural, uneducated, and uncivilized tendency is to treat the enemy as less than a human being; one who has no rights and deserves no justice or fairness. It was as true in the pre-Islamic tribal jahilya (based on ignorance) society as it is today. See how Islam directly curbs it. It is a command to the believers, with a reminder that Allah is watching you, that enmity of others cannot be used as an excuse for committing injustices against them.
Justice even during the Time of Warfare:
Nabi Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam generally advised the commanders while sending them for war saying: “Fight in the name of Allah and in the path of Allah. Combat those who disbelieve in Allah. Fight, yet do not cheat, do not break trust, do not mutilate, and do not kill minors…”
Unparalleled Justice!
Ali bin Abi Talib Radhi-Allahu anhu lost a shield that was dear to him and later found it in the hands of a non-Muslim citizen who was selling it in one of Koofah’s markets. When he saw it, ‘Ali Radhi-Allahu anhu said: “This is my shield that fell off my camel on so and so night at such and such time.” The man answered: “No, this is my shield in my hand.” ‘Ali replied: “No, it is mine since I never sold or gave it to any one.” The man agreed to let a judge decide, which ‘Ali Radhi-Allahu anhu accepted. They went to Shurayh who asked ‘Ali Radhi-Allahu anhu for his side of the story. ‘Ali Radhi-Allahu anhu said that the shield was his and that he had found it with that man, it had fallen off his camel and he had never sold it or given it to anyone. The judge turned to the other man asking his story. The man said that he did not accuse ‘Ali Radhi-Allahu anhu of lying, but the shield was his, as it was in his hands. Shurayh turned to ‘Ali saying: “I believe you, but we need the statement of two witnesses to back your story.” ‘Ali Radhi-Allahu anhu said that there was his aide Qanbar and his son Al-Hassan Radhi-Allahu anhu to which the man replied that a son could not testify for the benefit of his father. Ali said: “By Allah (how) can a man who is promised paradise not act as a witness! Have you not heard that the Prophet Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam said that Al-Hassan and Al-Hussayn Radhi-Allahu anhu were the masters of the youths of paradise? Shurayh said: “Yes I have, but a son cannot bear witness for his father.” Then ‘Ali turned to the man and said: “Take the shield, as I have no other witnesses.”
The man, who was a non-Muslim, then said: “O ‘Ali, the shield is yours. What a great religion! I can sue ‘Ali and get a judge to pass a decision for my benefit! I declare myself a Muslim.” He told the judge that he was following the army and had seen the shield fall down and picked it up. ‘Ali Radhi-Allahu anhu then told him to keep the shield and even gave him a horse.
How do we compare? Where is our sense of justice? Have we distorted the purity of our Deen by dealing unjustly? May Allah protect us from oppressive tendencies especially in the name of our Deen! path to salvation.com
