established for fulfilling rights. It is one of the foundations upon
which this world is established, and without it life can neither be
orderly nor reformed. Justice leads to bringing people together and
urges them to be obedient to Allaah. It is also a cause of development
and increase of wealth, growth of the young generations and prevalence
of security for those in power and authority. Due to the importance of
justice, it was said,"Life continues with justice and disbelief, but
cannot continue with injustice and Islam."
Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said,"Justice is the
foundation upon which everything has been established. When matters
pertaining to this life are based on justice, then it will remain on
the right course, even if the person who establishes this justice does
not have in the Hereafter any share. On the other hand, if this life
is not based on justice, it will not be on the right course, even if
the person who does not establish justice has faith that he will be
rewarded for in the Hereafter."
He also said,"Justice is the right that every person has over another,
under all circumstances; and injustice is prohibited and disallowed,
under all circumstances."
Due to the high and sublime status of justice, we find
theSharee'ahraising its importance and ordering people and urging them
to establish justice. In this respect, Allaah The Almighty Says )what
means(:
·}O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice,
witnesses for Allaah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and
relatives.{]Quran 4:135[
·}O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for Allaah ,
witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent
you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness.{]Quran
5:8[
In these two verses, Allaah The Exalted commands the believers to
adopt justice as one of their morals and characteristics by using the
word "Qawwaam", which is a mode of hyperbole that declares Justice as
one of the manners instilled in them. In another general and
comprehensive verse, Allaah The Almighty Says )what means(:}Indeed,
Allaah orders justice and good conduct and giving to relatives and
forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression. He admonishes you
that perhaps you will be reminded.{]Quran 16:90[
Issues of Establishing Justice
We are commanded to be just in everything. Here, we draw the attention
to some fields where justice apparently occurs:
1- Governance:In this field, establishing justice is required by
giving people their due rights and refraining from giving rights to
those who do not deserve them, providing equal opportunities to people
according to what is sufficient to each one of them and employing
people in their appropriate place according to their abilities. It was
narrated in aHadeeththat the Prophet,sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam,
said that a just ruler is one of those who will be protected by the
shade of Allaah on the Day of Judgment.
2- Judiciary:Settling disputes between people must be based on
justice, without the least trend of bias. This must occur in settling
disputes in courts, applying the prescribed punishments, other
disciplinary punishments and retributions. Allaah The Almighty Says
)what means(:}And when you judge between people, to judge with
justice.{]Quran 4:58[ It was narrated in aHadeeththat the
Prophet,sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, said:"When you judge between
people be just."In anotherHadeeth, he,sallallaahu 'alayhi wa
sallam,said:"Judges are of three types: One of them will enter
Paradise and the other two types will enter Hell. The one who knows
the truth and judges accordingly will enter Paradise; The one who
knows the truth and deviates in his judgment will enter Hell;
likewise, the one who ignorantly judges among people will enter Hell."
3- Giving Testimony:One is required to be just when he gives testimony
by informing of what he saw or heard, but if he testifies with what
contradicts what he saw, then he is to be deemed as a person who
testifies to falsehood. Allaah The Almighty Says )what means(:
·}And when you testify, be just.{]Quran 6:152[
·}And ]they are[ those who do not testify to falsehood, and when they
pass near ill speech, they pass by.{]Quran 25:72[
4- Treating Wives:Justice in treating one's wives is by giving each
one of them her due share of financial maintenance, residence and
staying over at her house. The Prophet,sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam,
warned Muslims against being unjust in treating wives, where he
said:"When a man has two wives and he is inclined to one of them, he
will come on the Day of Judgment with his side sloping."
5- Treating Children:Acting justly with one's children is when the
parents give equal share of gifts, upbringing and any other thing they
can afford to give. It was narrated in aHadeeth, that the
Prophet,sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, said:"Fear Allaah and treat
your children fairly."
A Muslim is required to be just in all his dealings and what has been
mentioned above are just examples of showing justice.
Also, a Muslim is required to be just even with his enemies, as Allaah
The Almighty Says )what means(:}And I have been commanded to do
justice among you.{]Quran 42:15[
When the Prophet,sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, sent Abdullaah ibn
Rawaahah, may Allaah be pleased with him, to estimate the tax that was
to be paid for the dates in the fields of the people of Khaybar, they
wanted to bribe him, so he said,"By Allaah, I have come to you after
leaving the most beloved person to my heart and my hatred for you is
greater than my hatred for apes and pigs. However, my love for him and
hatred for you can in no way prevent me from being just with you."When
they heard this, they said,"Upon this ]justice[, both heaven and earth
are established."
As Muslims, when we adhere to justice in our manner and behavior and
consider it as a method of life, we spread the feeling of security,
assurance and enhance the welfare of our societies. Moreover, when we
adhere to justice, we reveal the greatness and sublimity of Islam
before others. Thereby, they will desire to know about this religion
and to embrace it, as it was the example of the early Muslims. We ask
Allaah The Exalted to grant us justice, in both calmness and anger.
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