In Islam, we are taught that justice and fairness for all must be
regarded as paramount and that this overrides any other considerations if
justice is to be served. This concept provides the very foundation of the
Islamic legal system, called Shariah, which, when correctly implemented,
ensures all wrongdoings are punished and violations of rights are dealt with.
Indeed, no act can be considered an acceptable Muslim act unless it fully
complies with the framework of justice in Islamic law.
This all embracing concept in Islam, when viewed by those who are
unbiased, with its demand for absolute justice and fairness, is inimitable when
compared with any similar teachings from elsewhere. Allah Himself established
this notion of justice through His revelation when He declared: ‘Whoever does
good, does so to his own benefit; and whoever does evil, will suffer its evil
consequence. Your Lord does no wrong to His servants’, S41 V46
Allah, subhanahu wa-t`ala, further says: ‘My Word is not changed, and
never do I inflict the least wrong upon My servants’. S50 V29
It is the beauty and simplicity of this Islamic teaching that makes
it stand out as the fairest legal framework provided to humanity in
establishing justice on earth. People, Muslims and non-Muslims, protagonists
and antagonists alike, all need to give it a fair and thorough study, and
compare it with any other established system of justice. There can be no doubt that such a comparison
will point to the most just system.
Any Muslim who doubts or underestimates its absolute importance in
his life should read and attempt to understand the following verse:
‘Believers! Be upholders of justice and bearers of witness to
Truth for the sake of Allah, even though it may be against yourselves or
against your parents and kinsmen, or the rich or the poor, for Allah is more
concerned with their well-being than you are. Do not, then, follow your own
desires lest you keep away from justice. If you twist or turn away from (the
Truth) know that Allah is well aware of all that you do’. S4 V135
This verse lays down a concept for justice in Islam devoid of any
discriminatory considerations deriving from any source. To make it even more
fool-proof it has been commanded that any interpretation of justice must remain
distanced from any interference arising from human desires.
It is unfortunate that the Muslim world, generally, now seems to
be in near total denial of this critical Quranic concept. This has, of course,
resulted in the utterly lawless situation we are now experiencing, where any
considerations of justice and fair dealing are, at best, remote.
Continuing disregard for justice in Islam is severely limiting
human rights and people’s dignity is becoming totally compromised. Muslims and
others should be aware that these rights are an absolute honour granted to the
children of Adam by Allah, and their violation is, therefore, a direct violation
of Allah’s commands.
Whenever I imagine a picture of a human being, bathed in the light
of the teachings of Allah, it is liberating and it is a complete picture of a
dignified person who is answerable only to Allah.
Allah guides people to recognise His authority in the heavens and
on earth and to recognise the just system that He Himself has supplemented
further by laws beyond our control. Allah asks people to obey Him and to follow
His guidance. He points out that the most unjust act in this world is
disobedience to Him. He calls this act ‘Zulm or Dhulm’. Literally translated
this means darkness or the suppression of truth or rights. Darkness is the
absence of light and suppression is the absence of justice and rights.
Any system that embraces ‘Zulm’ is accountable to Allah. However,
from a justice perspective it is not always the system that is ‘corrupt’. An
individual’s acts must also be just, fair and devoid of any attempts at misrule
and injustice.
Any human society inevitably invites tribulation upon its people
if it behaves unjustly. The key to understanding this is the fact that we are
all accountable to Allah for any act of injustice that has been committed by
us. If people are to prosper it must be under a just system that creates stability
within the human soul and society and be at peace with Allah.
This is one reason why Islam encourages humility before Allah, as
any humble soul would, naturally, avoid any infringement of justice. Only the
arrogance or the desire that leads to unjust personal advantage over others can
make people unjust and in violation of the divine laws.
Early Islamic history is full of examples where justice and
fairness created a just society and where people had the courage to challenge
authority figures and bring them to account. Islamic law does not discriminate
between a Muslim and non-Muslim, or between persons of different social status,
nor does it take into consideration race or colour. Allah said: ‘indeed the
most honourable of you in the Sight of Allah are those who are most conscious
(or fearful) of Allah’. S49 V13
If we look at this verse through another verse it becomes obvious
what encourages people to fear accountability. Allah says in Surah 5 verse8:
‘Believers! Be upright bearers of witness for Allah, and do not let the enmity
of any people move you to deviate from justice. Act justly, that is nearer to
God fearing. And fear Allah. Surely Allah is well aware of what you do’.
A beautiful guidance for creating a beautifully just society, in
which social justice remains at the heart of Islamic teachings. Unfortunately
the present regressive situation in the Islamic world has created and is
fostering a regressive and self-destructive mindset.
As Muslims, whether we possess any level of power and authority or
act solely as individuals, we need to entertain the absolute concept of
justice, as required by the Quran, to create stable, healthy and prosperous
societies and nations of people. Islamic teachings can only appear relevant
when they are seen to make us better as believers. Others will only follow by
example.
But, BEWARE, our Prophet Mohammad, peace and mercy of Allah be
upon him, said: ‘Allah raises nations high in ranks through this Book and
demotes others because of it’. Sahih Muslim
