Justice - The Cornerstone of Islamic Order

JUSTICE is the opposite of injustice, just as white is the opposite of black and day is the opposite of night. Justice is nothing but to maintain equality in disputed matters. The doer of wrong must be punished and the virtuous rewarded. Thus justice is a point of equity in between the extremes which equalises the two ends and rests on veracity.

Establishment of justice implies restoration of the right of the person who is entitled to it and depriving the person of the right to which he is not entitled. The Holy Quran lays down the sovereignty of justice, as will be evident from the following verse: 

"Say: My Lord has commanded (you) to do justice ..." (7:29). 

Islam explicitly emphasises that its economic, political and social order of life be based on justice and calls upon those who are in authority to augment and promote the cause of justice in their administrative and executive spheres. The Holy Quran has been revealed inter alia for the realisation of the ideal of justice. Islam stands for all that is good, healthy and desirable in life.

The Holy Quran and the Sunnah give us a methodology for the realisation of justice in our practical life. The Holy Quran and the Sunnah aim at the good of human beings and since they are dynamic process for the evolution of human society and they provide a clear and practical plan for achieving the goal of justice. 

The Quranic concept of justice guarantees harmonious and balanced opportunities of simultaneous development individually as well as collectively. Socialism pursues equality but deprives man of his personal freedom, whereas capitalism lays stress upon the ideals of freedom but deprives man of his right to equality.

Hence the ideal of justice that the Holy Quran contemplates is one wherein a Muslim would be free and encouraged to live a moral life to perform his obligations strictly in accordance with the priorities fixed by Allah. It is, therefore, inherent in the very nature of Islam that its followers should find a state based on justice as envisioned in the Holy Quran. 

Islam places enormous responsibilities on Muslims and enjoins them to uphold the cause of justice. The Holy Quran says: 

"Surely, We have sent down the Book to you with the truth, so that you may do justice between men in the light of that which Allah has enlightened you . And do not be an advocate for the dishonest." 

Addressing the Muslims in verse 35 of surah Nisa of the Holy Quran, Allah says: 

"O you, who believe, stand firmly for justice, against yourself or your parents or your near relations - whether he be rich or poor - Allah has better right over them both." (Holy Qurán 4:35)

Thus the concept of justice guides mankind to the path of universal peace and prosperity. Justice and to be just is the greatest teaching of Islam. There is no distinction between the rich and the poor, high or low, as Allah has ordained in the Holy Quran.

What a peaceful and happy life we would enjoy if every one of us is ever just and fair in all the affairs of sale and purchase and in all other dealings of our day to day life. Justice is the foundation-stone of the structure of Islamic state. It is based on the concept of justice and fundamentals embodied in the Holy Quran. 

The holy Prophet administered the affairs of the state in accordance with the injunctions contained in the Holy Quran. According to the principles of Islamic polity, equality does not mean that all persons are equal in all respects. The sole criterion for giving preference is piety. Justice is the sole of Islamic state and it should be impartial. High and low, prince and the peasant, white and black stand equal. The Holy Quran enjoins Muslims to decide a case on the basis of equity, justice and upright testimony.

It is therefore incumbent on every Muslim to check all selfish wrong doings and to leave no stone unturned in eradicating the root cause of injustice and oppression in whatever form it is found so that society could be purged of oppression and the humanity may enjoy the fruit of justice irrespective of racial discrimination, regional difference and distinction of colour. -

(KT - 15/6/01)