Just Social Order
This establishment of a perfectly just and equitable social order is the very purpose for which Allah (SWT) sent His messengers and revealed His Books:
We have surely sent our messengers
with clear signs (i.e., miracles and proofs), and sent with them
the
Book (i.e., revealed guidance)
and
the Balance (i.e., the Shari‘ah), so that
mankind may stand by justice….
(Al-Hadeed 57:25)
In the second
ruku‘
of
Surah Al-Shura
we have
a
detailed discussion of this topic. Here we have a clear picture of the coordination subsisting between the fundamental Islamic
concepts, mentioned in a highly
meaningful and judicious sequence. These include Allah’s authority or decision, establishment of Deen,14 belief in the Revealed Book, and the
establishment of the just social order.
Note-14: Generally translated as “religion” the term Deen signifies the
fundamental principles of Divine Guidance and the complete way of
life
which comes into shape from putting these principles into practice.
To begin with, we have the
fundamental principle
that Allah’s authority of decision is supreme, and in ayah 10 we have,
accordingly, been directed
to recognize
and uphold it under all eventualities:
And whatever it be wherein you differ, the decision thereof
is with Allah…. (Al-Shura 42:10)
Ayah 13 of the same
Surah refers to
the manifestation of Allah’s authority or decision
in the form of Deen
and Shari‘ah.15
The same Deen has He established for you as that which
He enjoined on Noah, which We have revealed
to you (O Muhammad!)
and
that which we enjoined on Abraham, Moses and Jesus; namely, that you should establish Deen and make no
divisions therein…. (Al-Shura 42:13)
Note-15: The code of law based on the injunctions of the Qur’an and the
Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (SAW).
Then in ayah 15,
the Holy Prophet (SAW) has been instructed
to declare his belief in the Book
and to
strive
for the
creation
of a just society by practically dispensing justice to
the
people:
Now then, for that (reason) call (them to the same Deen) and
stand steadfast as you are commanded, and follow
not their
desires but say: “I believe
in the Book which
Allah has sent
down; and I am commanded
to do justice among you….” (Al- Shura 42:15)
This whole discussion is summed
up in ayah 17:
It is Allah Who has sent down the Book in truth and the
balance (i.e., Shari‘ah,
by which to weigh conduct). And what
will make you know that perhaps the Hour is close at hand? (Al-Shura 42:17)
Here again, as in the ayah from Surah Al-Hadeed quoted above, we
have the word meezan (or balance)
which is a very
significant term
used
at different places in the Qur’an. Maulana
Sahbbir Ahmad Usmani (RA) has offered
a comprehensive explanation of
the term in the following words:
Allah has guided man to devise the material balance by which material objects are weighed. He has also granted
man the intellectual balance, which is another name for sense of justice and fair play. But most important, the balance granted to us is
the
Religion of Truth which settles the basic issue of the respective right of the Creator and His creatures
and
by which all
issues can be justly decided.
According
to the Qur’an, the
real
cause of people’s
deviation from the true religion, and of the chaos and anarchy in
the
world, is their wicked tendency
to dominate over others and keep them under subjugation. In ayah 14
of this very Surah where the Muslims are exhorted
to curb schismatic trends, the
cause of people’s breaking away from
the
Religion of Allah (SWT) and
forming sects has been pointed out:
And they became divided only after knowledge
had
reached them, through inequity and oppression among themselves….
(Al-Shura 42:14)
Source:The Obligations Muslims owe to The Quran (Book by Dr. Israr Ahmad)
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