The concept of justice is one of the essential pillars in the maintenance of both the natural and social orders. Justice is a central theme of the Quran, but justice is also carefully balanced with forgiveness. When one is wronged, they have the option to seek justice or forgive. Forgiving is the higher and better route, but not mandatory. Justice denotes placing things in their rightful place. Allah says:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَن تُؤَدُّوا الْأَمَانَاتِ إِلَىٰ أَهْلِهَا وَإِذَا حَكَمْتُم بَيْنَ النَّاسِ أَن تَحْكُمُوا بِالْعَدْلِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ نِعِمَّا يَعِظُكُم بِهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ سَمِيعًا بَصِيرًا
“Indeed, Allah orders you to render the trusts to their owners, and when you judge between the people to judge with justice. Indeed, Allah excellently advises you with it. Indeed, Allah is All-Hearing, All-Seeing.” (Surah An-Nisa 4:58)
In Islam, 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. It is a basic objective of Islam to the degree that it stands next in order of priority to believe in God’s exclusive right to worship. Allah says:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالْإِحْسَانِ وَإِيتَاءِ ذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَيَنْهَىٰ عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنكَرِ وَالْبَغْيِ يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ
“Indeed, Allah commands justice and the good, and giving (to) relatives, and forbids [from] the immorality and the bad and the oppression. He admonishes you so that you may take heed.” (Surah An-Nahl 16:90)
In Islam, justice is also a moral virtue and an attribute of human personality, as it is in the Western tradition. Justice and peace coexist proximal links that tie the fundamental pillars to prevail Islamic dogmas. The purpose of sending prophets on earth is to establish justice among people by instilling the true concept of peace and evenhandedness.
The word “Justice” can be defined in the following ways:
- Justice among people instilling a concept of peace
- Justice due reward with honour, standards, or law
- Justice is the principle of moral rightness; equity
- Justice tie the pillars to prevail Islamic dogmas
- Justice has commanded us to be just and fair
- Justice is an attribute of human personality
- Justice is just, especially a fair treatment
- Justice means shunting one’s utter joys
- Justice is righteousness sheds light
- Justice be as defined in the Quran
- Justice to be a supreme virtue
- Justice coexists with peace
- Justice in what is believed
- Justice: The Law of Allah
- Justice in what is believed
- justice is also a moral virtue
- Justice with our Lord the Almighty
- Justice between wives and children
- Justice is a basic objective of Islam
- Justice is righteousness sheds light
- Justice in judgments between people
- Justice and peace coexist proximal links
- Justice to behave in a fair and just manner
- Justice teaches us to treat each other justly
- Justice be moral rightness in action or attitude
- Justice conformity to truth, fact, or sound reason
Justice is coexisted with peace as in the social perspective establishing justice is prevailing peace. When all will be contented in society and have no issues with each other, then the system will remain balanced and happiness will flourish. Justice is associated with retribution as it calls for “eye for an eye.” An eye for an eye does not mean an innocent eye for an eye or spilling innocent blood. Allah says:
وَتَمَّتْ كَلِمَتُ رَبِّكَ صِدْقًا وَعَدْلًا لَّا مُبَدِّلَ لِكَلِمَاتِهِ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ
“And (has been) fulfilled (the) word (of) your Lord (in) truth and justice. No one can change His words, and He (is) the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.” (Surah Al-An`am 6:115)
Justice is an essential part of Islamic dogmas and should be part of every faith bearer. The foundation of a realm is justice that Allah has loved for His worshipper and commanded His messenger too. Those who will neglect justice will in the lowest steep of hell and the oppressed get their due rights. Allah says:
وَمِن قَوْمِ مُوسَىٰ أُمَّةٌ يَهْدُونَ بِالْحَقِّ وَبِهِ يَعْدِلُونَ
“And among (the) people (of) Musa (is) a community (which) guides with truth and by it establishes justice.” (Surah Al-A`raf 7:159)
Fair dealings in measurements and weights, as mentioned in the above verse, is also mentioned in other passages where justice in the buying, selling, and by extension, to business transactions in general, is emphasized. The Quranic standards of justice transcend considerations of race, religion, colour, and creed, as Muslims are commanded to be just to their friends and foes alike and to be just at all levels.
Quran itself declares the timeless commitment towards Justice as declared in the divine verses:
- “God loves those who judge in equity.” (Quran 5:42)
- “My Lord has commanded justice…” (Surat al-A raf, 29)
- “… Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.” (Quran 60:8)
- “They will feel no fear and will know no sorrow. ” (Baqara, 62)
- “making them deaf and blinding their eyes.” (Muhammad, 22-23)
- “I believe in the Scripture, which God has sent down, and I am commanded to judge justly between you…” (Quran 42:15)
- “And the Word of your Lord has been fulfilled in truth and injustice. None can change His Words.” (Quran 6:115)
- “So reconcile between them in justice and fairness. Verily, Allah loves those who are just. ” (Hujurat 49:9)
- “…When you speak, speak with justice, even if it is against someone close to you…” (Quran 6:152)
The Quran views itself as a scripture devoted mainly to laying down the principles of faith and justice. The Quran demands that justice is met for all and that it is an inherent right of all human beings under Islamic Law. The tireless commitment of the Quran to the basic standards of justice is found in its declaration. Allah says:
وَتَمَّتْ كَلِمَتُ رَبِّكَ صِدْقًا وَعَدْلًا لَّا مُبَدِّلَ لِكَلِمَاتِهِ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ
“And (has been) fulfilled (the) word (of) your Lord (in) truth and justice. No one can change His words, and He (is) the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.” (Surah Al-An`am 6:115)
In Islam, justice is the universal right of all human beings regardless of their race, religion, or gender. It is one of the most fundamental purposes and objectives of Islamic law. Any path that leads to justice is deemed to be in harmony with Islamic Law.
Islam guides human rights and Justice in Islam
- Importance of Justice: Islam encourages and emphasizes the prevalence of justice in a society. By definition, justice is morally right and fair behaviour; it is not about equality, but equity rather.
- Justice always prevails: In a world where justice prevails, crimes go down and prosperity flourishes by a great measure. Allah is the just Lord and commands His creations to adopt this trait.
- The Way of Prophets: Allah sent His prophets with divine messages. He created them pure and gave them a stronger innate sense of right and wrong.
- Justice is the universal right: Justice is the universal right of all human beings regardless of their race, religion, or gender. It is one of the most fundamental purposes and objectives of Islamic law.
- Justice is close to equality: 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. In other words, one does not have to seek just retaliation.
- Justice according to Shariah: The system of justice has been revised and implemented according to Shariah hence a barbaric punishment cannot satisfy the just system of Allah.
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. Given the Quran, justice is an obligation. The reference to justice which immediately follows a reference to the fulfilment of trusts indicates that it is one of the most important of all trusts. Allah says:
وَأَقِيمُوا الْوَزْنَ بِالْقِسْطِ وَلَا تُخْسِرُوا الْمِيزَانَ
“And establish the weight injustice and (do) not make deficient the balance.” (Surah Ar-Rahman 55:9)
God has demanded justice and, although He has not prescribed a specific route, has provided general guidelines, on how to achieve it. He has neither prescribed a fixed means by which it can be obtained nor has He declared invalid any particular means or methods that can lead to justice. Allah says:
قُلْ أَمَرَ رَبِّي بِالْقِسْطِ وَأَقِيمُوا وُجُوهَكُمْ عِندَ كُلِّ مَسْجِدٍ وَادْعُوهُ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ كَمَا بَدَأَكُمْ تَعُودُونَ
Say, “My Lord has ordered justice and set your faces at every masjid and invoke Him (being) sincere to Him (in) the religion. As He originated you (so) will you return.” (Surah Al-A`raf 7:29)
Justice is an essential part of Islamic dogmas and should be part of every faith bearer. Allah, who is just, is not unaware of what oppressors do; oppressors and traitors will be accounted for what they do in detail in the presence of divine justice. God is all-powerful and no one can hold Him to account. Nevertheless, He does not commit injustice even to the worst of people.
