How to Judge Between People?

The Concept of Justice in Islam

In Surah S’ad, verses 20 – 26, Allah (swt) tells us the story of Daawud (as), and when Allah (swt) tested him to see how he would judge between two people. We can take good lesson from this story.

Allah (swt) says:

“We made his (Daawud’s) kingdom strong, and gave him wisdom, and sound judgment in speech and decision.” (Surah S’ad: 20)

“Has the story of the disputants reached you? When they climbed over the wall of the private chamber.” (Surah S’ad: 21)

“When they entered in upon Daawud, he was terrified of them. They said, “Fear not. (We are) two disputants, one of whom has wronged the other. Therefore, judge between us with truth, and treat us not with injustice, and guide us to the Right Way.” (Surah S’ad: 22)

“Verily, this my brother has ninety-nine ewes, while I have (only) one ewe, and he says: “Hand it over to me, and he overpowered me in speech.” (Surah S’ad: 23)

“Daawud said, (immediately without listening to the opponent): “He has wronged you in demanding your ewe in addition to his ewes. And verily, many partners oppress one another, except those who believe and do righteous good deeds, and they are few.” And Daawud realized that We have tried him, and he sought forgiveness from his Lord, and he fell down in prostration, and turned (to Allah) in repentance.” (Surah S’ad: 24)

“So We forgave him for that, and verily, for him is a near access to Us, and a good place of (final) return (Paradise).” (Surah S’ad: 25)

“Oh Daawud! Verily, We have placed you a successor on the earth; so judge you between men in truth (and justice), and follow not your desire – for it will mislead you from the path of Allah. Verily, those who wander astray from the path of Allah (shall) have a severe torment, because they forgot the Day of Reckoning.” (Surah S’ad: 26)

We learn from these ayaat the importance of hearing both sides of the story before passing any judgment between two people. Sometimes, the truth is not spoken by one party, and the one who is judging can get misled without hearing the voice of other side. Allah (swt) tested Daawud (as) by sending him two disputants. When Daawud (as) heard the story from one side, he passed his judgment, without realizing that he should have heard what the other person had to say first. He then realized his mistake and turned to Allah in repentance. In order to pass a fair judgment, one must listen to both parties, evaluate the situation, and then, come to a conclusion. This is a fundamental crux for judging between two or more people or groups. If we just turn our head around and see, we will find numerous examples at an individual and societal level and also at national and inter-national level where this fundamental principle is violated.

Source: The Concept of Justice in Islam

to be continued . . . .

21. The Prophets

21 – 73 – 112 – 7

Al-Anbiya------The Prophets

1 The Day of Accountability is getting closer, but the disbelievers

are still heedless to admonition and dispute as to

how Rasool can be a human being? 

2 Prior nations were destroyed due to similar iniquities. 

The creation of the heavens and earth is not a game. 

If there were more than One God, the heavens and earth

would have been in a state of disorder. 

All Rasools were sent with the same Message; "There is no

god but Allah, so worship Him Alone." 

3 The skies and earth once were one mass, Allah split them

asunder, and He created all living things from water. 

Allah has not granted immortality to any human being. If Rasools are

destined to die, how disbelievers are going to live for ever! 

4 Invented gods can not even defend themselves, how they will

defend the unbelievers against Allah?

Scale of justice shall be set up on the Day of Judgment. 

Musa was given Al-Furqân (the criterion of right and wrong),

so is this Qur'an. 

5 Ibrâheem questioned the idol worshiping of his father and his people.

Ibrâheem broke all their idols to show, that the gods who can not

even defend themselves, how they can be of any benefit to them.

They decided to burn him alive but Allah commanded

the fire to be cool and comfortable for Ibrâheem. 

Allah blessed Ibrâheem with a son (Ishâq) and then a grandson

(Ya'qoob) and made each of them Prophets. 

6 Allah accepted the prayer of Nûh against the unbelievers.
Allah blessed Prophets Daûd and Sulaimân with wisdom,

knowledge and kingdoms. 

Allah accepted the Prophet Ayûb's prayer and removed his

affliction. Allah accepted the prayers and blessed Prophets Isma`il,

Zulkifl, Yûnus, Zakariyya and also blessed Maryam. 

Mankind is but one brotherhood. 

7 Whoever does good deeds, provided he is a believer, his

endeavor will not be rejected.
The Day of Judgment, and the fate of the disbelievers and the

believers. 

Allah has sent Muhammad (pbuh) as a blessing for all the

worlds (Humans, Jinns and others).

38. Suad------Arabic Alphabet

38 – 38 – 88 – 5

Suad------Arabic Alphabet

The Qur'an is full of admonition. Unbelievers are in sheer

arrogance for calling the Prophets, liars. 

The STORY of the Prophet Daûd with whom mountains and

birds used to sing the rhymes of Allah. 

The STORY of the two litigants who came to Daûd

for a decision. 

Allah has not created the heavens and the earth in vain. 

The STORY of Sulaimân's inspection of steeds to be used in Jihâd.

The Prophet Sulaimân's prayer of granting him a kingdom,

similar of which may not be granted to any one else. 

The STORY of Ayûb (Job), his sickness and relief. 

The Qur'an is but a reminder about the reward of Paradise and punishment of the hellfire. 

The mission of a Rasool is to warn people and declare that

there is no divinity except Allah. 

Story of the creation of Adam and disobedience of Iblees (Shaitân).