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ISLAM TEACHES ABSOLUTE JUSTICE

Why is Allah equating justice to Taqwah?

• Taqwah, in its general meaning, is God-consciousness, or a state of submission.

• A person who has full Taqwah can never stray away from being just.

• Allah is well acquainted with what we do.• This fear of Allah's displeasure and anger would prevent a

person from being unjust• We know that Allah wants us to do justice even when dealing

with ourselves, with our family, with the rich or poor, even with an enemy.

• Only a person with full Taqwah could practice complete justice like that.

6 Commandments in this ayah

3 Do’s

Ad’al

Eeta Zilqurba

Ih’saan

3 Don’ts

Fah’sha

Bagh’ye

Mun’kar

Justice-in American Heritage Dictionary

The quality of being just; fairness.

The principle of moral rightness; equity.• Conformity to moral rightness in action or attitude;

righteousness.• The upholding of what is just, especially fair treatment and

due reward in accordance with honor, standards, or law.• Law, the administration and procedure of law.• A Judge

Conformity to truth, fact, or sound reason

What is Justice

Justice is the ideal, morally correct state of things and persons, whatever that contested ideal may turn out to mean (Wikipedia)

Justice is a concept involving the fair, moral, and impartial treatment of all persons, especially in law

What is Justice

Justice is the condition in which every person and every part of a whole (e.g. every part of the soul of a person, or every citizen or group in the state) performs its proper function and receives its proper reward. (John Howard Sobel)

The Meaning of Justice in Islam

In the Islamic worldview, justice denotes placing things in their rightful place.

It also means giving others equal treatment.

Justice is also a moral virtue and an attribute of human personality, as it is in the Western tradition.

Justice is close to equality in the sense that it creates a state of equilibrium in the distribution of rights and duties, but they are not identical

The Importance of Justice

• Islam, considers justice to be a supreme virtue. • It is a basic objective of Islam to the degree that it

stands next in order of priority to belief in God (Tawheed) and prophet-hood.

• “O you who believe, be upright for God, and (be) bearers of witness with justice!...” (Quran 5:8)

Creation of universe is based upon justice

” And the Heavens He has raised high, and He has set up the Balance (of justice). In order that you may not transgress (due) balance. So establish weight with justice, and fall not short in the balance.” (Surah Rahman: 7- 9)• 1. Allah (SWT) has created the balance of justice in this world.

This is His Divine Law.• 2. We are not permitted to transgress against the system of

balance that Allah has created.• 3. Allah (SWT) has commanded us to establish weight with

justice, and ordered us to refrain from falling short in keeping this balance.

Allah is Just

• “Surely Allah does not do any injustice to men, but men are unjust to themselves.”(Yunus: 10:44)

“Surely Allah does not do injustice to the weight of an atom, and if it is a good deed He multiplies it and gives from Himself a great reward.” (Nisa:4: 40)

Just leader will be under the shade of throne of Allah

Justice has been the goal of all scriptures

• “We sent Our Messengers with clear signs and sent down with them the Book and the Measure in order to establish justice among the people…” (Quran 57:25)

Place of Just leaders• Abdullah ibn Amr(RA) reported: The Messenger of Allah

(SAW) said:• حمن الر يمين عن نور من منابر على ه الل عند المقسطين

وأهليهم حكمهم في يعدلون ذين ال يمين يديه وكلتا وجل عزولوا وما

• Verily, those who were fair will be in the presence of Allah upon pulpits of light, near the right hand of the Merciful, the Exalted, and both of His sides are right (being equal in honor); those who practiced justice in their rulings and with their families and in all that they did.

• Source: Sahih Muslim 4493

Injustice or Zulm is forbidden

• “O My slaves, I have forbidden injustice for Myself and forbade it also for you. So avoid being unjust to one another.” (Saheeh Muslim)

Opposite of Justice is oppression or ZulmIt has three types

1- Shirk or associating

partner with Allah

2- Being unjust to oneself by committing

sins

3- Being unjust to others, whether

humans or other creatures

Zulm will be darkness in Akhirah• Jabir ibn Abdullah reported: The Messenger of

Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:• قوا وات القيامة يوم ظلمات الظلم فإن الظلم قوا ات

أن على حملهم قبلكم كان من أهلك ح الش فإن ح الشمحارمهم وا واستحل دماءهم سفكوا

• Guard yourself from oppression, for oppression will be darkness on the Day of Resurrection. Guard yourself from greed, for greed destroyed those before you. It caused them to shed blood and to make lawful what was unlawful.

• Source: Sahih Muslim 2578,

Supplication of oppressed• Anas ibn Malik reported: The Messenger of Allah

(SAW), said:

• كافرا كان وإن المظلوم دعوة اتقواحجاب دونها ليس فإنه

• Beware of the supplication of the oppressed, even if he is an unbeliever, for there is no screen between it and Allah.

Source: Musnad Ahmad 12140

Imam Ibn Al Qayyim(RA)• مقصوده أن الطرق من شرعه بما سبحانه ن بي قد

فأي بالقسط اس الن وقيام عباده بين العدل إقامةالدين من فهي والقسط العدل بها استخرج طريق

له مخالفة وليست• Allah the Exalted has made clear in his law (sharia)

that the objective is the establishment of justice between His servants and fairness among the people, so whichever path leads to justice and fairness is part of the religion and can never oppose it.

• Source: Turuq Al-Hukmiyyah 13

2 Principles of Justice in IslamA. Comprehensive justice • It covers all aspects of human life ,i.e., intellectual,

spiritual and practical• It does not differentiate between spiritual and

material aspects of life like secularismB- Mutual cooperation, assistance, kindness and sharing should always be part of day to day life. • Islam gives a methodology to put these values in

practice• It also gives incentives in the form of rewards from

Allah (SWT) and forgiveness for sins.

2 Human weaknesses which can be impediments in Justice1. Love of material wealth and greed for more-

Say: "If ye had control of the Treasures of the Mercy of my Lord behold ye would keep them back for fear of spending them: for man is miser”

2- Selfishness- “men's souls are swayed by greed” (4:128)

And violent is he in his love of wealth 100:8

(17:100)

Equality in Justice

• The Quranic standards of justice transcend considerations of race, religion, color, and creed

• Muslims are commanded to be just to their friends and foes alike, and to be just at all levels

• “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...” (Nisa, 4:135)

Justice in regards to relations with non-Muslims

• “God 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...” (Quran 60:8)

• The scholars of the Quran have concluded that these rulings apply to all nations, followers of all faiths, as a matter of fact to all humanity

Judge in disputes justly

• “…If you judge, judge between them with justice…” (Quran 5:42)

• “We have revealed to you the scripture with the truth that you may judge between people by what God has taught you.” (Quran 4:105)

• “…Say: I believe in the Scripture, which God has sent down, and I am commanded to judge justly between you...” (Quran 42:15)

Quran’s absolute commitment for justice to all

“And the Word of your Lord has been fulfilled in truth and in justice. None can change His Words and He is listening and all knowing.” (Quran 6:115)

To render justice is a trust that God has conferred on the human

• “ Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due, and when you judge between people, judge with justice…” (Quran 4:58)

• The reference to justice which immediately follows a reference to fulfillment of trusts indicates that it is one of the most important of all trusts.

Justice to being a personal virtue

• “…Be just, for it is closest to God-consciousness.”(Quran 5:8)

• The Prophet himself instructed:

• “Be conscious of God and be just to your children.”[ Riyad us-Saliheen]

• “…When you speak, speak with justice, even if it is against someone close to you…” (Quran 6:152)

Comprehensiveness of Justice

Justice in dealing with God

Justice in dealing with oneself

Justice in court

Justice in testimony

Justice with enemies

Social justice

Justice between nations

Areas of Applying Justice

Personal

Social

Legal

Justice between nations

Personal Justice

• “One who transgresses the limits set by God has committed injustice against oneself”(65:1)

• “When you speak be just even if the subject is of your kin”(6:152)

Social Justice• Ownership of wealth

– “and to Him belongs the dominion of heavens and earth and what is in between” (5:17)

• Trusteeship over wealth

– “and spend of that which He had made you trustees over” (57:7)

Distribution of wealth

“So that it would not be an exclusive property of the those who are wealthy among you” (59:7)

• Zakat (poor dues)

• Inheritance laws

Legal judgments must uphold justice

• “God commands you to return trusts to their rightful owners, and when you judge between people, judge with fairness” (4:58)

Witnesses must bear testimony for justice

“O’ you who believe, stand firm for justice and bear witness for the sake of God, even though it be against yourselves, your parents, or your relatives. It does not matter whether the party is rich or poor” (4:135)

“O you who believe, Be steadfast for the sake of God and bear true witness and let not the enmity of a people incite you not do justice. Be just, this is nearer to righteousness.”(5:8)

Example of Justice in Khilafah of Ali (RA)• Ali ibn Abu Talib found a Christian man with his armor. • He decided to take up the matter legally, so he brought the

dispute to the judge, Shuraih. • Ali said, “This is my armor and I have not sold it nor given it

away.”• Shuraih said to the Christian, “What do you say about what the

leader of the believers has said?”• The Christian replied, “It is my armor, but I do not consider the

leader of the believers to be a liar.”• Shuraih turned to Ali and said, “O leader of the believers, do

you have proof?” • Ali laughed and said, “Shuraih is correct. I do not have proof.”

So Shuraih ruled in favor of the Christian.

Christian accepted Islam• The Christian took the armor and began to walk away but then he returned.

The Christian said:• وقاضيه قاضيه إلى قدمني المؤمنين أمير األنبياء أحكام هذه أن فأشهد أنا أما

ه ! والل الدرع ورسوله عبده محمدا أن وأشهد ه الل إال إله ال أن أشهد عليه يقضيمن فخرجت صفين إلى منطلق Yوأنت الجYيش بعت ات المؤمنين أمير يا درعك

األورق Yبعيرك• As for me, I testify that this is the judgment of the Prophets. • The leader of the believers himself takes me to his judge and the judge rules

against him! • I testify that there is no God except Allah, and I testify that Muhammad is the

Messenger of Allah. By Allah, the armor is yours, O leader of the believers. I followed the army when you were on your way to the Battle of Siffin and the armor fell from your equipment.

• Ali said: لك فهي أسلمت إذ أما• If you have accepted Islam, then the armor is for you.• Source: (Al-Bidayah wa-Nihayah)

Justice must be observed in legal transactions

• “O believers! When you deal with each other in lending for a fixed period of time, put it in writing. Let the scribe write it down with justice between the parties.” (2:282)

Justice between nations

Peace Treaties

Just war

Justice in dealing

with captives

Justice and Righteousness• Righteousness is an ideal

• Justice is an integral part of Righteousness

“be just, this is nearer to Righteousness” (5:8)

The Ultimate Justice

• People do wrong in this world and then get away with it. • Allah will not allow any injustice to happen. • Those matters which are not resolved in this world, Allah

(SWT) will deal with them in the hereafter

• “And We shall set up Balance of justice on the Day of Resurrection, then none will be dealt with unjustly in anything. And if there be the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it. And Sufficient are We to take account.” (Al-Anbiya: 47)

Complete record of deeds is being kept today to be presented in the hereafter

• “And the Book (one's Record) will be placed (in the right hand for a believer and in the left hand for a disbeliever) and you will see the 'Mujrimun' (criminals, polytheists, sinners), fearful of that which is (recorded) therein. They will say: “Woe to us! What sort of Book is this that leaves neither a small thing nor a big thing, but has recorded it with numbers!” And they will find all that they did placed before them, and your Lord treats no one with injustice.”

• (Al-Kahf: 18 49)

DUA

• We ask Allah to make us amongst those who always stand firmly on the truth, for justice.

• We ask Allah to forgive us for our mistakes, and make us amongst the successful ones, on that day when He(swt) will bring us all to account, and every soul will be dealt with in complete justice, and rewarded with only that which they earned with their own hands.