Imagine waking up one morning to the sound of
gunshots. A man has just been killed. You pass by a home where you hear some
children crying, orphaned, and left alone to suffer because of the crimes of
other people. On the other side of town, you witness a home that has just been
robbed, its residents thrown out mercilessly. You walk past a quiet street and
see a car that has been vandalized, its windows broken to shattered glass. Now,
just for a moment, stop imagining, switch on the TV, and go watch the news.
Chances are you will see all this happening right in front of your eyes, and
even more, in our very real world!
Injustice is very widespread on this earth. There can
be no peace without the firm establishment of justice. The more you see
injustice, the more you realize the importance of establishing justice in the
land. When mankind lacks guidance on how to live their lives, the entire
structure of society is damaged. Allah (swt) has sent down the Quran as
guidance for all of mankind, with all the rules and regulations we need to stay
on the right track. Islam is a very complete way of life. Every rule that is
good for humanity has been ordained in the Shariah of Allah (swt). Everything
we need, in order to live successfully, can be found in the Quran. Amongst
these very important divinely instructed laws is the law of establishing
justice. Allah says in the Quran:
“Allah commands justice, the doing of good, and
liberality to kith and kin, and He forbids all shameful deeds, and injustice
and rebellion: He instructs you, that you may receive admonition.” (Surah
An-Nahl: 90)
In this study, we will Insha’Allah, explore the
different ayaat of the Quran relating to the topic of justice, and how we can
apply them in our daily lives.
What is Justice?
Before we begin, let’s look into the definition of
justice. What is justice, and what do we understand from this term?
According to the American Heritage Dictionary, the
word “Justice” can be defined in the following ways:
1. The quality of being just;
fairness.
2. The principle of moral rightness;
equity.
o
Conformity to moral rightness in action or attitude;
righteousness.
o
The upholding of what is just, especially fair treatment and due
reward in accordance with honor, standards, or law.
o
Law, the administration and procedure of law.
o
A Judge
3. Conformity to truth, fact, or
sound reason.
The Islamic definition of ‘justice’ comes under the
same categories. Justice, as defined in the Quran, commands mankind to behave
in a fair and just manner. Allah (swt) has commanded us to protect the rights
of others, to be fair and just with people, to side with the one who is under
oppression, to help and be fair with the needy and orphans, and to be just and
not go beyond the boundaries set by Allah, even with our enemies. We are
required to be fair and just in all circumstances, and in all situations. We
must establish justice in society. This is the law of our Creator. Allah (swt) says in the Quran:
“Verily, Allah commands that you should render back
the trusts to those, to whom they are due; and that when you judge between men,
you judge with justice. Verily, how excellent is the teaching which He (Allah)
gives you! Truly, Allah is Ever All-Hearer, All Seer.” (Surah Nisa: 58)
Justice: The Law of Allah
Establishing justice is the law of Allah (swt). It is
part of the balance which Allah has created. In Surah Ar-Rahman, Allah (swt)
describes how He has created a balance of justice, and why:
” 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 Ar-Rahman: 7 – 9)
Upon examination of these ayaat, we can understand
three different points.
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
Amongst the Great Names and Attributes of Allah (swt)
is Al-Hakam, which means, “The Judge”. Allah (swt) is the Most Just, and He
judges the affairs of His beings with full justice. There are several ayaat in
the Quran which describe the justice of Allah (swt). Among them are the
following:
“Surely Allah does not do any injustice to men, but
men are unjust to themselves.” (Surah Yunus: 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.” (Surah Nisa: 40)
“And He gives you of all that you ask for. But if you
count the favors of Allah, never will you be able to number them. Verily, man
is given up to injustice and ingratitude.” (Surah Ibrahim: 34)
We understand from the above ayaat that Allah is just,
and He does not do injustice to mankind. It is men who do injustice to
themselves. Not only is Allah just and fair, but He (swt) is so just, that He
will not even do the injustice to the weight of an atom. On top of that, Allah
will only multiply our good deeds, and will reward us for that. SubhanAllah,
how Merciful Allah is! He (swt) gives us ALL that we ask for, and there is no
way we could possibly count all of our blessings. It is mankind, who is unjust,
and ungrateful to the bounties of Allah.
to be continued . . . .
No comments:
Post a Comment