JUSTICE IN ISLAM
Justice as known by the Muslim and the Islamic society, is absolute
and pure justice. It is not influenced by friendship, hatred or
blood ties:[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 (Qur’an 5:8).
...And when you testify, be just, even if [it concerns] a near
relative... (Qur’an 6:152).
The Prophet (SAW) set the highest example of justice when
Usamah ibn Zayd came to intercede for the Makhzumi woman
who had committed theft, and the Prophet (SAW) had decided to
cut off her hand. He (SAW) said: “Do you intercede concerning
one of the punishments decreed by Allah (SWT), O Usamah? By
ALLAH (SWT), even if Fatimah bint Muhammad had committed
theft, I would have cut off her hand.” (Bukhari and Muslim).
This is absolute, universal justice which is applied to great and
small, prince and commoner, Muslims and non-Muslims. None
can escape its grasp, and this is what differentiates justice in
Islamic societies from justice in other societies.
History records the impressive story that earns the respect of the
institutions of justice throughout the world and at all times: the
khalifah ‘Ali ibn Abu Talib stood side by side in court with his
Jewish opponent, who had stolen his shield, on equal terms. The
qadi , Shurayh, did not let his great respect for the khalifah
prevent him from asking him to produce evidence that the Jew
had stolen his shield. When the khalifah could not produce the
evidence, the qadi ruled in favor of the Jew, and against the
khalifah. Islamic history is full of such examples which indicate
the extent to which truth and justice prevailed in the Islamic
society. So the true Muslim is fair and just in word and deed,
because truth and justice are an ancient part of his heritage and
fairness is a sacred part of his belief.