World Insights Bringing You best of world at one placeNeither Love Nor Hatred Can Be Allowed To Compromise Justice
There is one word that captures the essence of all Islamic laws and all Islamic teachings; one word that describes the overriding value that permeates all Islamic values, Justice.
The Quran says:
{We sent aforetime our messengers with clear Signs and sent down with them the Book and the Balance, that men may stand forth in Justice.} (Al-Hadid 57:25)
The life and property of all citizens in an Islamic state are considered sacred, whether a person is Muslim or not. Islam also protects honor. So, in Islam, insulting others or making fun of them is not allowed. The Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, said:
“Truly your blood, your property, and your honor are inviolable.”
Racism is not allowed in Islam, for the Quran speaks of human equality in the following terms:
“O mankind, We have created you from a male and a female and have made you into nations and tribes for you to know one another. Truly, the noblest of you with God is the most pious. Truly, God is All-Knowing, All-Aware.” (Quran 49:13)
Islam rejects certain individuals or nations being favored because of their wealth, power, or race. God created human beings as equals who are to be distinguished from each other only on the basis of their faith and piety. The Prophet Muhammad said:
“O people! Your God is one and your forefather (Adam) is one. An Arab is not better than a non-Arab and a non-Arab is not better than an Arab, and a red (i.e. white tinged with red) person is not better than a black person and a black person is not better than a red person,except in piety.”
One of the major problems facing mankind today is racism.The developed
world can send a man to the moon but cannot stop man from hating and fighting his fellow man. Ever since the days of the Prophet Muhammad, Islam has provided a vivid example of how racism can be ended. The annual pilgrimage (Hajj) to Makkah shows the real Islamic brotherhood of all races and nations, when about two million Muslims from all over the world come to Makkah to perform the pilgrimage.
Islam is a religion of justice. God has said:
“Truly God commands you to give back trusts to those to whom they are due, and when you judge between people, to judge with justice….” (Quran 4:58)
And He has said:
“…And act justly. Truly, God loves those who are just.” (Quran 49:9)
We should even be just with those who we hate, as God has said:
“…And let not the hatred of others make you avoid justice. Be just: that is nearer to piety….” (Quran 5:8)
The Prophet Muhammad said:
“People, beware of injustice,for injustice shall be darkness on the Day of Judgment.”
And those who have not gotten their rights (i.e. what they have a just claim to) in this life will receive them on the Day of Judgment, as the Prophet said:
“On the Day of Judgment, rights will be given to those to whom they are due (and wrongs will be redressed)…”
Quran teaches us to overcome the first impediment when we are dealing with our closest relatives or even ourselves:
{O ye who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor: for Allah can best protect both. Follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest ye swerve, and if ye distort (justice) or decline to do justice, verily Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do.} (An-Nisa’ 4:135)
The other equally potent impediment is hatred. Here again Quran commands:
{O ye who believe! Stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to Piety: and fear Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do.} (Al-Ma’idah 5:8)
Justice does require retribution and Islam does call for, “an eye for an eye.” But it does not mean an innocent eye for an innocent eye; it means the eye of the perpetrator for the eye of the victim. It is amazing how those who call the latter as barbaric actually rally for the former when a real crisis develops.
We have conferred dignity on the children of Adam, and borne them over land and sea, and provided for them sustenance out of the good things of life, and favored them far above most of our Creations. (17:70)
Even during their period of decline, we find sporadic incidents that are just unparalleled. One example from recent history may suffice here. During the British rule in India, once a dispute arose between Hindus and Muslims over a piece of land, Hindus claimed it belonged to a temple while Muslims claimed it to be mosque. Emotions were high on both sides and the possibility of a riot was real. The English judge could not find any means of ascertaining the truth. It was one group’s words against the other’s. Finally the Judge asked both groups if they could trust the testimony of any person. They could.
Behold, God enjoins justice, and [going beyond justice to] the doing of what is magnanimous (and kind), and giving to one’s kinsfolk; and He forbids all that is shameful and all that runs counter to reason [and morality], as well as transgression; He exhorts you [repeatedly] so that you might bear [all this] in mind. (3:195)
It was a particular Muslim Imam (religious leader) who was known for his piety. The person was requested to come to the court as a witness in a very charged atmosphere, with the entire community urging him to help them win the case through his testimony. His testimony was brief. “The Hindus are right,” he said. “The Muslim case is baseless.” He had not betrayed the community. He had once more affirmed its unflinching commitment to truth and justice above all else.
And their Lord does answer them: I shall not lose sight of the work of any of you who works [in My way], be it man or woman … (3:195)
That is the justice the world needs today.
God says in the Quran:
{Verily, God commands you to restore trusts. And when you judge between people, that you judge with justice. Excellent is the admonition God gives you. God is ever Hearer, Seer. } (An-Nisa’ 4:58)
