14: Justice is Indispensable
"Be Just, that is closest to piety"
(Qur'an 5:8)
Justice is paramount in Islam
Allah inspired the prophet with the saying ...
" O my worshippers! I have made injustice unlawful for myself, and have forbidden injustice
among you, so do not be unjust."
- A major mission of all Prophets (peace be upon them) was the "establishment of justice among people" (Q 57:25)
- "Allah certainly commands justice and goodness in evertyhing" (Q 16:90)
This is an individual and collective responsibility. - We are divinely commanded "to stand up for justice as witnesses to Allah" under all circumstances and without any discrimination (Q 4:135)(Q 5:8)
- Manifesting justice is equated to piety.
"Be just, that is closest to piety" (Q 5:8) - Allah loves those who are just (Q 60:8), and sides not with the unjust (Q 3:57)
Justice, Reciprocity & Conscience
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was asked how a person could be most just, he replied: "Love for others what you
love for yourself, then you'll be among the most just of people".
The 19th century Afro-American moralist, Robert Ingersoll, referred to justice as giving to every human being
every right you claim for yourself.
"There is a higher court than the courts of justice, it is the court of conscience" [Mahatama Gandhi]
Justice & Governance
Hadrat 'Ali said: "The fundamental requirement of politics is justice".
In fact justice is considered a pre-requisite for peace (Q 2:193).
Scholars throughout history have repeated the sentiments expressed in Imam Ibn Taymiyyah's dictum:
"Allah will support a just state, though people in authority be disbelievers; while Allah will not support
an unjust state, even if people in authority be Believers".
The Prophet (pbuh) always emphasized that among the people dearest to Allah is the just leader.
Company of Just
The Prophet (pbuh) admonished us by saying: "Whosoever walks with an oppressor in order to
strengthen him has gone forth from Islam."
Imam Ja'far As-Saadiq said: "Whosoever deals with people without being unfair, who speaks without lying,
who does not break his promises and whose sense of justice is well-known; you should befriend him".
Justice in all its dimensions
Islam demands justice to the self, between people, in the household, and even to animals. We are told to restore justice between contending parties (Q 49:9), and never to be impartial to the injustices we witness.
Advice for a wholesome life
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:
"Allah advised me regarding 9 things ...
Allah has instructed me to be sincere in secret and in public,
to be just in pleasure or displeasure,
to economize in wealth and poverty;
That I pardon those who wrong me,
That I give to those who deny me,
That I establish relationships with those who break off with me,
That my silence be thoughtful,
That my speaking/logic be God-conscious,
and my perspective/sight be reflective."
Remember, more important than demanding justice is to be just.
O Allah! Let us be of the just and not of the unjust.