The Concept of Justice in the Holy Qur’an

Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, who sent His trustworthy Messenger Muhammad with justice, truth, and mercy for all of humanity. To proceed:
The importance of justice is shown, as it is one of the objectives mentioned in the Holy Qur’an, and Islam aims at achieving this value. It’s worth mentioning that justice is one of Allah’s holy names.
Allah says: “Indeed, We have sent Our Messengers with clear proofs, and revealed with them the Scripture and the Balance (justice) that mankind may keep up justice.” Al-Hadid, the Iron, 57:25
The value of justice is one of the greatest and most important values. In this brief statement, we will define the concept of justice, its importance, and its role in maintaining security and peace.

First, the definition of justice and the number of Qur’anic verses in which the word justice is mentioned

Justice is giving a person—whether oneself, others, or things—their due right, as determined by Allah the Almighty. Justice may be realized through equality, or it may be realized through distinction, whereby each individual is given what they deserve according to their effort and need. Allah says: “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.” An-Nahl, the Bees (16:90). And He says: “Say, 'I have believed in what Allah has revealed of the Qur'an, and I have been commanded to do justice among you.’ Ash-Shura, the Consultation (42:15)

The Holy Qur’an has warned against injustice in almost 700 verses. Allah says: “Indeed, association [with Him] is great injustice.” Luqman, 31:13
He also says: “Whoever does righteousness - it is for his [own] soul; and whoever does evil [does so] against it. And your Lord is not ever unjust to [His] servants.” Fussilat, 41:46.
And He says: “Indeed, Allah does not do injustice, [even] as much as an atom’s weight.” An-Nisa’, the Women, 4:40.
In addition, He says: “And Allah wants no injustice to the world.” Al-Imran, the Family of Imran, 3:108.
It’s worth mentioning that one crucial pillar of faith is the belief in the Afterlife, when justice is achieved, and the oppressed will take their rights back; when a person will be held accountable and recompensed for his actions. People will be given their due rights on the Day of Judgement. Allah says: “And your Lord does injustice to no one.” Al-Kahf, the Cave, 18:49. He also says: “And whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female, while being a believer—those will enter Paradise and will not be wronged, [even as much as] the speck on a date seed.” An-Nisa’, the Women, 4:124.
Allah also says: “And never think that Allah is unaware of what the wrongdoers do. He only delays them for a Day when eyes will stare [in horror].” Ibrahim, 14:42

Second, domains of justice in Islam
Islam categorizes the domains of justice rather than talking about them generally:

The first domain is being fair with yourself; in other words, Islam pushes people to take care of the physical side of the self by giving themselves their due rights of food, drink, shelter, and clothing; and by giving the spiritual part its due right via performing acts of worship, by being righteous and worshipping none but Allah, and also by spreading love amongst people.

The other domain is being just by giving people their due rights in daily transactions such as buying and selling, without any loss in measurement or weighing, and without depriving people of the rights they deserve. Allah says: “Give full measure and do not be of those who cause loss * And when you weigh for others, weigh with properly functioning scales * And do not deprive people of their due and do not commit abuse on earth, spreading corruption.” Ash-Shu’ara’, the Poets, 26:181–183

A third domain is being fair towards non-Muslims by assuring the giving of their rights; having different religions doesn’t justify treating people unjustly or depriving them of their rights. The Covenant of Omar is the best example of being just with non-Muslims. Allah says: “O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for Allah, witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do.” Al-Ma’ida, the Dining Table, 5:8

A fourth image of being just is the way in which the creatures of the universe were created; Allah has provided each creature with what it needs to fulfill its functions properly; thus, there is no need for any creature to dominate or oppress others. Allah says: “And the earth—We have spread it and cast therein firmly set mountains and caused to grow therein [something] of every well-balanced thing.” Al-Hijr, the Rocky Tract, 15:19.

Another crucial image of justice is being fair when resolving disputes. Allah says: “Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due and when you judge between people to judge with justice. Excellent is that which Allah instructs you. Indeed, Allah is ever Hearing and Seeing.” An-Nisa’, the Women, 4:58.
To put it another way, it should be detected and assured that criminals who deserve punishment have committed their crimes without being compelled or obliged; moreover, the punishment should be implemented only on the criminal themselves—not on any of their family members. Allah says: “And no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another.” Fatir, the Creator, 35:18.

The sixth image is ensuring justice in the economy by granting equal opportunity for people to get employed, helping the needy and the poor. To achieve economic justice, Allah has imposed the Zakat (Alms Tax), as economic injustice is one reason behind the destruction of communities.

Social justice; in other words, parents should treat their children equally. They should look after them and bring them up well; they should grant them love in order to prevent jealousy or envy from leaking into children’s hearts.

Being fair when making peace between people who have disputes and disagreements. Allah says: “And if two factions among the believers should fight, then make settlement between the two. But if one of them oppresses the other, then fight against the one that oppresses until it returns to the ordinance of Allah. And if it returns, then make settlement between them in justice and act justly. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.” Al-Hujurat, the Rooms, 49:9

Another area of justice is in speaking. When you speak, say the truth; speak the truth when you are questioned or when you bear witness, even if you may give the truth that is against any of your kinsfolk. Allah says: “And when you testify, be just, even if [it concerns] a near relative.” Al-An’am, the Cattle, 6:152

And how greatly we are in need, in this age where social media has spread and the means of sharing information have multiplied—we are in need to verify the information we hear about others, especially people of other religions. Much of this information is incorrect and unjust, and taking it for granted without clarification and verification will lead us to make unjust judgments against others.

A final image of justice is related to the environment; we should deal with the environment with much care and justice. There is no doubt that a person's injustice in using environmental resources—driven by greed and oppression—will lead to environmental corruption and destruction. Allah says: “Corruption has appeared throughout the land and sea by [reason of] what the hands of people have earned so He may let them taste part of [the consequence of] what they have done that perhaps they will return [to righteousness].” Ar-Rum, the Romans, 30:41
Justice goes further to urge us to treat animals fairly and mercifully, as our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) told us in one of his hadiths (sayings) that a woman was led to Hell as she imprisoned a cat; neither did she feed it, nor did she set it free to feed itself.

Thirdly, what is the connotation behind having many domains of justice in Islam? And what is Islam’s stance on injustice?
Having various images and domains of justice is a sign that justice is a great and central value which must be implemented in all aspects of life.
Regarding Islam’s stance on injustice, Islam considers injustice one of the greatest crimes that humans commit; it must be opposed and stopped from becoming widespread. Allah has promised the wrongdoers the severest punishments in this life and in the Afterlife so that they may refrain. Similarly, Islam urges people not to stay silent or speechless; on the contrary, they are encouraged to talk about injustice and work hard to stop it.

Fourth, the consequences of achieving justice

Justice is the basis of the rule; a state’s security and the loyalty of citizens can be achieved when humans are treated fairly. In contrast, the corruption which may take place on earth results from injustice. An image of corruption is the emigration of qualified citizens to other countries where they may be treated fairly. Another image is the weakness of development and lack of belonging.

The stability of a society is achieved through justice in implementing punishments regarding criminals. Fair punishment ensures safety, as criminals will recognize that if they commit any crime, they will receive the fair punishment; otherwise, they will commit evil deeds once there is no justice.

Treating all children equally and fairly by their parents will establish a stable and cohesive family with strong ties, where threads of love and cooperation spread amongst them.

Treating all people fairly, even non-Muslims, will make them feel satisfied as they recognize that their rights won’t be taken away.

Justice leads to strong relationships between the members of a society—especially in a society of multiple nations and various religions.

Establishing balance in one’s self is one of the greatest consequences of justice; this is when a person satisfies each side of themselves—the physical and the spiritual—without being biased to one side.

In conclusion, we ask Allah Almighty to make us among the people of justice and truth—those who stand with the causes of justice, foremost among them the cause of Palestine and the just right of the Palestinian people to establish their state on their land, with Jerusalem as its capital—the capital of justice and peace.
And may peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you.

Dr. Amer Joud Allah
Lecturer at the Faculty of Sharia and a member of the Advisory Board at An-Najah Center for Religious Studies.