Ramadan 1445 AH — Day 27: Justice and Fairness

Allah The Exalted said: O my servants, I have forbidden oppression for myself and have made it forbidden among you, so do not oppress one another— Muslim

In a polarized world marked by injustice and oppression, it may seem tempting to adopt a neutral stance. After all, why risk anything for those facing oppression if one is not directly affected? However, this mentality of shying away from upholding justice for personal security ultimately leads to more harm in the long run. Hence, as representatives of Allah’s justice and mercy on earth, it is incumbent upon us, as Muslims, to steadfastly oppose injustice and oppression.

In Islam, Justice is a term associated with equality and fairness. So as Muslims, we are commanded to always stand for justice as a matter of principle, whether for Muslims or non-Muslims, even if justice should side against us. This is one of the core tenets of Islamic teachings. Whatever is just is necessarily a part of the religion of Islam. Therefore, we need to revive this sunnah of justice and fairness. Allah says:

O you who believe, be persistently standing firm for Allah as witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just, for that is nearer to righteousness. Fear Allah, for verily, Allah is aware of what you do. — Surat Al-Ma’idah 5:8

Allah’s Messenger ﷺ promoted justice and fairness to the point that even the Jews of Madinah would prefer him to mediate between them whenever they disagreed with a Muslim. This is because they believed he would not treat them unjustly. He ﷺ said in a hadith reported by Anas bin Malik thus:

“When you judge, be just. When you make a covenant, keep it. When your mercy is sought, be merciful. Whoever does not do any of that, the curse of Allah, His angels, and all people will be upon him.” — Tabarani

During the time of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, a woman from the Makhzumi tribe was caught stealing. Some of the Jews in Madinah asked Osama Bin Zaid to intercede on behalf of the woman to prevent her punishment. He pleaded with the Prophet ﷺ to spare her from the prescribed punishment of cutting off her hand for theft.

In response to Osama’s appeal, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ became visibly upset and rebuked him, saying: “Are you interceding to violate one of the legal punishments prescribed by Allah?” Despite Osama’s insistence and emotional attachment to the woman’s family, the Prophet ﷺ remained firm in upholding the principles of justice and equality under Islamic law.

To emphasize his commitment to justice, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ then made a powerful statement that has become famous in Islamic tradition. He said: “Even if Fatimah, the daughter of Muhammad, were to steal, I would cut off her hand.”

This declaration highlights the neutrality of Islamic justice, emphasizing that everyone is subject to the law, irrespective of their familial or societal standing. It serves as a reminder that justice should be administered impartially and without prejudice, adhering to Islamic principles.

And from the life of the companions, we see an excellent example in Ali ibn Abi Talib. He was the highest official at that time— the Khalifah, and he was subject to the same rules of justice as everyone else. There is a famous narration in Al-Bidayah wa-Nihayah 11/107, an incident in which he lost a court case to a Christian because he lacked evidence, even though he was the leader of the believers.

Sha’bi reported: that Ali ibn Abi Talib found a Christian man with his armor. He decided to take up the matter legally, so he brought the dispute to the judge, Shuraih. Ali said, “This is my armor and I have not sold it nor given it away.” Shuraih said to the Christian, “What do you say about what the leader of the believers has said?” The Christian replied, “It is my armor, but I do not consider the leader of the believers to be a liar.” Shuraih turned to Ali and said, “O leader of the believers, do you have proof?” Ali laughed and said, “Shuraih is correct. I do not have proof.” So Shuraih ruled in favor of the Christian. The Christian took the armor and began to walk away but then he returned. The Christian said:

As for me, I testify that this is the judgment of the Prophets. The leader of the believers himself takes me to his judge and the judge rules against him! I testify that there is no God except Allah, and I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. By Allah, the armor is yours, O leader of the believers. I followed the army when you were on your way to the Battle of Siffin and the armor fell from your equipment. Ali stated: “If you have embraced Islam, then the armor is yours.”

Among the benefits of upholding justice and fairness are:

• Justice is a commandment from Allah and those who uphold it are promised abundant rewards from Him. Hence, pleasing Allah should be the ultimate goal for Muslims and not humans.

“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.” — Qur’an 4[An-Nisa’]:58

• Justice fosters harmony and unity within society by ensuring that everyone’s rights are respected and protected. A just society is more stable and peaceful, as grievances and resentments arising from injustice are minimized.
• Upholding justice enhances the well-being of individuals by safeguarding their rights, dignity, and freedom.
• Justice enhances accountability and transparency in governance and decision-making processes. When institutions and leaders are held accountable for their actions and decisions, it reduces corruption, abuse of power, and impunity.
• Upholding justice encourages virtues such as honesty, integrity, compassion, and empathy, which are essential for the moral fabric of society. All these are inherently linked to the ethical values in Islam.

In conclusion, justice, equality, and fairness are foundational principles in Islam, emphasized in the Quran, and exemplified in the actions of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his companions. As Muslims, we must follow these principles in our daily conduct. Let us strive to reinvigorate this standard of fairness and equality in our dealings with others, while resolutely opposing all forms of injustice and oppression.

Action Points

1. Educate yourself and others about Islamic teachings on justice by studying the Quran, Hadiths, and the seerah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his companions.
2. Set a precedent through your actions and inspire others to uphold Islamic principles of justice, compassion, moral integrity, honesty, and ethical behavior in both personal and professional spheres.
3. Henceforth, speak out against injustice and oppression, whether it affects you directly or others in society.

That’s it for today, take action on this Daily Revival and if you missed yesterday’s episode, you can find it here. I ask Allah to make it easy for you and me. Amin!

Yaumus Sabt 27th Ramadan 1445 AH // Saturday 6th April 2024.

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