Cover of the Author’s ebook, Lasting Solutions to Social Problems
Justice: Meaning & Significance
Justice is a concept of moral rightness, which is based on ethics, rationality, law, natural law, religion, equity and fairness.[1]
In Islam, justice stands for placing things in their rightful place.[2] It stands also for dealing with all others equally, with no discrimination whatsoever.
In his A Theory of Justice, Rawls claimed that “Justice is the first virtue of social institutions, just as truth is of systems of thought.”[3]
Perceptions of justice differ in every culture, as cultures are usually dependent on a mixture of history, mythology and/or religion. Each culture’s ethics create values which influence the notion of justice. Although some principles of justice can be found that are one and the same in all or most of the cultures, these are insufficient to create one understanding of justice.[4]
Justice is the basis of human life and the cardinal principle according to which human societies operate. It encompasses all the aspects of human life and enables one to live in peace and harmony with other fellow beings.
Remarkably, Islam lays great emphasis on justice because it facilitates the establishment of a social order that enables humans to develop the noble qualities inherent in them, to live in peace and harmony, and to make this world a place worth living in. A peaceful life is possible only when we are just concerning our thinking and activities.
Allah Almighty says in the Qur’an (what means),
{Indeed! We sent Our Messengers with clear signs and sent down with them the Book and Balance that people may uphold justice} (Al-Hadid 57:25).
In Islam, justice is significant as it is one of the 99 Divine Attributes of Allah. Allah Almighty is the Ever-Just. Justice is one of the basic values the Ever-Glorious Qur’an underlines and mentions repeatedly in a number of its ayahs. Allah Almighty enjoined Muslims to practice justice in all their affairs, starting with being just in rulership and governance, when giving testimonies and dealing with one’s family and spouse, and with all people, even foes and enemies. Allah Almighty says in the Qur’an (what means),
{Indeed, Allah commands you to render all [your] trusts to those to whom they are due. Moreover, whenever you judge between people, you shall judge with justice. Indeed, that to which Allah exhorts you is most excellent. Indeed, Allah is He Who hears and sees all things} (Al-Nisa’ 4:58).
He also says,
{O you who believe! Stand out firmly for Allah and be just witnesses, and let not the enmity and hatred of others make you avoid justice. Be just, that is nearer to piety, and fear Allah. Verily, Allah is well-acquainted with what you do} (Al-Ma’idah 5:8).
Indeed, it is not enough for a true Muslim to do justice or act righteously when there are no disagreements; a Muslim is required to do justice to people who have a grudge against him or to whom he has an aversion. This is what the religion of Islam dictates for his followers.
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This article is excerpted from the Author’s: Lasting Solutions To Social Problems; an ebook published by Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07LH5Y7NS
Dr. Ali Al-Halawani is Assistant Professor of Linguistics and Translation Studies. He is an author, translator, and writer based in Canada. To date, Al-Halawani authored over 400 original articles on Islam and Muslims, most of which can be accessed on http://www.truth-seeker.info/ and other famous websites.
He has recently started to self-publish his articles and new books, which are available on Amazon and Kindle.
Many of his videos are available on Youtube.
You can reach him at [email protected].
[1] Abdullah & Nadvi (2011). Understanding the principles of the Islamic world-view.
[2] Al-Isfahani (1992). Mufradat alfaz Al Qur’an.
[3] Rawls (1999). A theory of justice (1971).
[4] Olajide (2013). Justice no longer lives in our court.