Reality of justice Friday, 03 June 2011 02:31

The reality about justice in Islam is that justice is Allah’s balance on Earth, with which the weak get their rights and the wronged take their rights from the unfair. Justice enables people to get their rights the simplest and easiest way. Justice is a part of the creed of Islam and under the umbrella of justice in the Muslim community; no one would be wronged. If Islam orders the establishment of justice with people – all people as we see in the abovementioned verses – that kind of justice which is not motivated or moved emotionally; Islam commands justice with one’s self. Islam orders each Muslim to balance between his own rights, his God’s rights and other people’s rights. This was clear in Allah’s Apostle’s approval of Salman Al Farisi’s comment on Abu Al Darda, who prejudiced his wife’s right by departing her, performing fast everyday and praying every night.

This is the complete story: The Prophet made a bond of brotherhood between Salman and Abu Al Darda. Salman paid a visit to Abu Al Darda and found Um Darda’ dressed in shabby clothes and asked her why she was in that state. She replied, “Your brother Abu Al Darda is not interested in (the luxuries of) this world.” In the meantime Abu Al Darda came and prepared a meal for Salman. Salman requested Abu Al Darda to eat (with him), but Abu Al Darda said, “I am fasting.” Salman said, “I am not going to eat unless you eat.” So, Abu Al Darda ate (with Salman). When it was night and (a part of the night passed), Abu Al Darda got up (to offer the night prayer), but Salman told him to sleep and Abu Al Darda slept. After sometime, Abu Al Darda again got up but Salman told him to sleep. When it was the last hours of the night, Salman told him to get up then, and both of them offered the prayer. Salman told Abu Al Darda, “Your Lord has a right on you, your soul has a right on you, and your family has a right on you; so you should give the rights of all those who has a right on you.”

Abu Al Darda came to the Prophet and narrated the whole story. The Prophet said, “Salman has spoken the truth.” Islam has also ordered justice in speech. Allah exalted said in the Holy Quran: “Whenever ye speak, speak justly, even if a near relative is concerned.” (Cattle: 152). Islam also commands justice in judgment. Quran says: “Allah doth command you to render back your Trusts to those to whom they are due; And when ye judge between man and man, that ye judge with justice”. (Women:58). Islam commands justice in peacemaking among people. Allah says: “If two parties among the Believers fall into a quarrel, make ye peace between them: but if one of them transgresses beyond bounds against the other then fight ye (all) against the one that transgresses until it complies with the command of Allah; but if it complies then make peace between them with justice and be fair: for Allah loves those who are fair (and just).” (The Private Apartments: 9)

Banning of Injustice

Islam commands justice and encourages its establishment. Identically, it prohibits injustice strictly and resists injustice strongly, either injustice towards oneself or towards others, particularly the strong people’s injustice towards the weak, the rich people’s injustice towards the poor and rulers’ injustice towards the people they rule. The weaker the person wronged is, the guiltier the unfair. The sacred hadith reads: “O My servants, indeed I have prohibited injustice for myself, and I have prohibited it amongst you, so do not do injustices to each other” and the Prophet told Mu’az: “Be afraid of the curse of an oppressed person as there is no screen between his invocation and Allah”. The prophet also said: “Three men whose supplications are never rejected (by Allah) are: The fasting person until he breaks his fast, the just ruler and the one who is oppressed, whose prayer is taken to heavens and heavens’ doors are opened for it and Allah says to it: I swear with My honour I will uphold you (the supplication) even after a while”. Thus, this is justice…the heavenly balance in the Islamic community.

Concluded