Islam’s Perspective of Justice in Connection With Quran and Hadith

Religion Islam standeth on five significant pillars comprising faith and practice yet two other pillars are of prime importance that conjures the edifice of Islam. Justice and peace are coexisted proximal links that tie the fundamental pillars to prevail Islamic dogmas. The purpose of sending prophets on earth is to establish justice among people by instilling the true concept of peace and evenhandedness.

“We have already sent Our messengers with clear evidences and sent down with them the Scripture and the balance that the people may maintain [their affairs] in justice….” [Quran 57:25]

All the people instinctively demand justice for themselves and despise direly being oppressed. Despite it, ironically all the people treat others with injustice breading hatred and prejudice. Creation of hell/heaven and punishment is a true manifestation of justice from the sole lord of universe. Quran narrates it as:

“Indeed, Allah 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]

Concept of Justice Per Divine Scriptures

The creation of earth is upon justice and sending of messengers with the message of righteousness sheds light on the importance of justice. Justice preliminary has taken “giving everyone one’s due” and this mere statement camouflages all the complexities, dilemma, conflicts, and temptations in ever-continuous changing myriad of life. prevailing justice means shunting one’s utter joys that is why Allah Almighty  has declared His love for the person who establish justice and is fair in his dealings. Quran states:

“… Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.” [Quran 60:8]

The sacramental verses of Quran spell out the distinction between good and bad through vivid commandants regarding justice. Holy Quran commanded to remain just even under despair and strong conflicting emotions. Allah has asked His worshippers to maintain the system of justice even if the conditions and circumstances are against kith and kin. Quran narrated it as:

“O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives. Whether one is rich or poor, Allah is more worthy of both….” [Quran 4:135]

While dealing with one’s enemy one is not strong enough to do justice because the hatred surpasses the sublime feelings of justice. Despite, Quran has asked to fear Allah and establish justice with enemy as well. Allah is All-Watchful, observe everything, and will hold a person accountable for an inch of injustice if happened.

Justice, Peace and Retribution

Justice is coexisted with peace as in social perspective establishing justice is prevailing peace. When all will be contented in society and have no issues from each other, then the system will remain balance and happiness will flourish. Justice is associated with retribution as it calls for “eye for an eye.” Eye for eye does not mean an innocent eye for an eye or spilling innocent blood.

With the advent of Islam the system of justice has revised and implemented according to Shariah hence a barbaric punishment cannot satisfy the just system of Allah Almighty.

“And We ordained for them therein a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a nose for a nose, an ear for an ear, a tooth for a tooth, and for wounds is legal retribution. But whoever gives [up his right as] charity, it is an expiation for him. And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed – then it is those who are the wrongdoers.” [Quran 5:45]

Justice has declared the inherited attribute of every Muslim because the Scripture itself is devoted to the principles of faith and justice. Quran demands justice for all and ought to be met for all living beings. Quran itself declares the timeless commitment towards Justice as declared in the divine verses:

“And the word of your Lord has been fulfilled in truth and in justice. None can alter His words, and He is the Hearing, the Knowing.” [Quran 6:115]

Justice As Per Hadiths

Hadith comprises the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that is indeed source of beacon for the entire Ummah. A woman named Fatimah committed a sin by stealing something. She was presented in front of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) upon which he stated:

“Communities of old came to grief and destruction because of the disparity and leniency shown to those in high positions when they committed such an offence. On the contrary, any offender of humble origin or lowly status in society had harsh punishment meted out to him. By God, if my own daughter Fatimah were to steal, I would have her hand cut off.” [Al-Bukhari, Muslim]

Allah has commanded his messengers to establish justice and spoke to them in affirmative tone as quoted in Hadith:

“O My slaves, I have forbidden injustice for Myself and forbade it also for you. So avoid being unjust to one another.” [Sahih Muslim]

Allah detests a ruler who has bestowed with reign yet is ignorant of justice. Allah will deprive him of His shade in His realm at the Day of reckoning as Hadith narrates:

“There are seven categories of people whom God will shelter under the shade of His throne on the Day when there will be no shade except this. [One is] the just leader.” [Sahih Muslim]

Injustice has despised by lord and the scriptures because it will mark a blob on the soul of a person who will commit injustice to other fellow beings. Injustice does not mean the violation of rights or killing an innocent person. Justice has broad meanings that include unfair dealings, uttering words that can hurt the sentiments and biased feelings towards fellow being.

“People, beware of injustice, for injustice shall be darkness on the Day of Judgment.” [Mosnad Ahmed]

Concluding, Justice is an essential part of Islamic dogmas and should be part of every faith bearer. The foundation of a realm is justice that Allah has loved for His worshipper and commanded His messenger too. Those who will neglect justice will in the lowest steep of hell and the oppressed will get their due rights.

“On the Day of Judgment, rights will be given to those to whom they are due (and wrongs will be redressed.)” [Sahih Muslim]