Justice in light of the Quran

We live in a world of constant polarization, where it becomes normal to choose an easy way out, by taking a neutral stance on topics that don’t directly concern us.

Islam imposes on all Muslims the obligation to stand with the oppressed and fight together for justice, whatever the circumstances. Furthermore, we must hold fast to our beliefs as we actively seek and demand peace for all.

Turning to the Quran, we also find several verses that emphasize the meaning and importance of maintaining justice for ourselves and those around us. These are 3 verses from the Holy Book of Allah that define justice in Islam and guide us to the right path:

Judge with justice

 إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَن تُؤَدُّوا۟ ٱلْأَمَـٰنَـٰتِ إِلَىٰٓ أَهْلِهَا وَإِذَا حَكَمْتُم بَيْنَ ٱلنَّاسِ أَن تَحْكُمُوا۟ بِٱلْعَدْلِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ نِعِمَّا يَعِظُكُم بِهِۦٓ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ سَمِيعًۢا بَصِيرًا

Meaning: Indeed, Allah orders you to condense beliefs to whom they are due and when you judge between people to judge with justice. Tremendous is that which Allah guides you. Indeed, Allah is ever Hearing and Seeing. An-Nisa: 58 

Stand persistently no matter what

 يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُونُوا۟ قَوَّٰمِينَ بِٱلْقِسْطِ شُهَدَآءَ لِلَّهِ وَلَوْ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَوِ ٱلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ وَٱلْأَقْرَبِينَ ۚ إِن يَكُنْ غَنِيًّا أَوْ فَقِيرًا فَٱللَّهُ أَوْلَىٰ بِهِمَا ۖ فَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا۟ ٱلْهَوَىٰٓ أَن تَعْدِلُوا۟ ۚ وَإِن تَلْوُۥٓا۟ أَوْ تُعْرِضُوا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرًا

Meaning: O you who have believed, be obstinately 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 sober of both. So monitor not [personal] preference, lest you not be just. And if you mislead [your witness] or decline [to give it], then indeed Allah is ever, of what you do, Aware. An-Nisa: 135

Maintain Balance

وَٱلسَّمَآءَ رَفَعَهَا وَوَضَعَ ٱلْمِيزَانَ
أَلَّا تَطْغَوْا۟ فِى ٱلْمِيزَانِ
وَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلْوَزْنَ بِٱلْقِسْطِ وَلَا تُخْسِرُوا۟ ٱلْمِيزَانَ

Meaning: And in heaven, He lifted up and imposed the scales, that you would not break the scales. And create weight in justice and do not make incomplete the balance. Ar-Rahman: 7-9

Finally, as Muslims, we must remember that everything we do in this life must be for the sake of Allah. As we stand firm in upholding justice in the name of Allah and defending the oppressed, it is also a way of showing our complete faith and devotion to Him.

ARR