We are living in a world where there could clearly be more peace. As Muslims, we understand this fact more than most people, as the peace of many of our brothers and sisters in various parts of the globe has been tragically disrupted: Palestine, Chechnya, Afghanistan, Kashmir, Iraq, Syria and other locales. Similarly, we are living in a world where there could be more justice. We read nearly daily of assassinations in various parts of the globe where terrorist groups, military forces, or intelligence services, oftentimes in summary fashion, declare victims guilty and then proceed to execute them. The two issues, peace and justice, are joined in the slogans we hear from many activists. “No Justice, No Peace!”1 This linkage is logical, as justice must be considered one of the indispensable prerequisites of any lasting peace. This article intends to briefly look at the ideas of peace and justice in Islam and explore their deeper significance in the life of a Muslim, In the Arabic language, the word peace is derived from the radicals S-L-M. The scholars of language mention four closely related terms that can be derived from this origin: Salam, Salamah, Silm, and Salm. Raghib al-Isfahani says in his lexicon of Qur’anic terms, “As-Salm and as-Salamah mean freedom from any external or internal ruination.” Based on that, he mentions that true peace will only exist in Paradise, for only there will there be perpetuity with no end, complete satisfaction with no need, perfect honor with no humiliation, and perfect health with no disease. In this regard, God is known as As-Salam, because He alone is described as being totally free from any defects or flaws. This understanding of true peace being a reality associated with a transformed world is also understood in both Jewish and Christian theology. One of the loftier objectives of our Islam is to introduce into the world an ethos that facilitates the spreading of peace at every level. Our personal relations with our fellow Muslims should begin with the implementation of the Prophetic order “Spread peace between you all.” Generally, Islamic scholars define justice (al-‘adl) as being the opposite of (adh-dhulm) tyranny or oppression Justice and equality may have their similarities and justice may require equal treatment at times. Islam teaches that the Holy Quran was not just revealed for Muslims, but for all people, including Jews and Christians. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was in the line of previous prophets of God, including Prophets Abraham, Moses, and Jesus (peace be upon them all). And the essence of justice is the recognition that all humans are equal.
Once we accept the principle of human equality, then we need to reject all racism, jingoism, and ethnocentrism. This is something some people find difficult to accept; but that is the one remedy leading us towards justice and world peace. The desire for world peace and cordial relations among the nations of the world led to the formation of “League of Nations”. But it failed miserably and ceased to exist after a few years because of the utterly selfish and inhuman attitude of some of the member countries. The yearning for peace and amicability in international relations persisted and it again resulted in the formation of a world body known as the “United Nations Organization.” It is an open secret, however, that it too has failed to achieve its purpose. Most resolutions passed by the UNO are not implemented in clear defiance of its Charter. Even though it has prestigious paraphernalia of offices and divisions, its efficacy as a custodian of peace has never been up to the mark. Islam, on the other hand, gives us two such fundamental concepts which alone can bind the human race in one single totality. It tells us that all human beings living on the surface of this earth come from one primordial pair – Adam and Eve – and as such they are like members of one family. Again, the Creator of all is Allah (S.W.T) and as such they are all equal in His sight. Allah says: O mankind! Be mindful of your Guardian-Lord Who created you from a single person. Created, of like nature, his mate and from them twain scattered countless men and women. Be mindful of Allah through Whom you demand (your mutual rights), and (be mindful of violating relations based on) the wombs; for Allah ever watches over you. (Al-Nisa 4:l) All our mutual rights and duties, according to Islam, are referred to Allah (SWT). We are His creatures; His will is the standard and measure of good, and our duties are measured by our conformity to His Will. The Prophet of Islam (S.A.W) has not only shown a way to salvation in a future life, but has also brought practical answers to the problems of this-worldly life. In today’s situation of crisis the call for renewal, change, and progress is heard everywhere. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is the prime example of a personality who understood how to bring about revolutionary progress and build a community of true brotherhood. For example, his address on the occasion of the Farewell Pilgrimage epitomizes the climax of his mission, in which he said: “An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor has a non-Arab over an Arab. You are all born of Adam, and Adam was made out of clay.” This universalism is also depicted subtly in the above cited Qur’anic ayah both address all humanity and thus make explicit the fundamental facts shared by all human beings. The role of an important pillar of Islam, Hajj, is also very significant in this context. The spirit of Hajj is the spirit of sacrifice of vanities, dress and personal appearance, pride relating to birth, national origin, accomplishments, work or social status. It signifies the brotherhood of all Muslims, demonstrated in the greatest of all international assemblies. Magnanimity is a sign of strength. The Holy Prophet has taught: “He is not a believer who eats his fill when his neighbor beside him is hungry”; and: “He does not believe whose neighbours are not safe from his injurious conduct.” That is to say, the essence of lasting peace is the recognition of the brotherhood of all humans irrespective of color, language, nationality, and so on. In this age of “apartheid” and “racial profiling”, Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) teaching of human brotherhood and justice based on human equality, shows the way like a brilliant star.
The Holy Qur’an considers justice to be a supreme virtue. It is a basic objective of Islam to the degree that it stands next in order of priority to belief in God’s exclusive right to worship (Tawheed) and the truth of Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) prophethood. The very fact that two of the attributes of Allah are closely linked to justice, apparently, underscores the significance of imparting justice to all. The two attributes are the Just (Al-Adil) and the Dispenser of Justice. (Al-Muqsit). The Holy Qur’an commands, “Allah commands justice, the doing of good, and liberality to kith and kin, and He forbids all shameful deeds, and injustice and rebellion: He instructs you, that ye may receive admonition.” (Al-Nahl 16:90) Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) underscored the importance of rulers being just in one of his famous sayings. “There are seven categories of people whom Allah will shelter under His shade on the day when there will be no shade except His. (One will be) a just leader.” (Saheeh Muslim) Fourteen hundred years ago these commands created a society where rich and poor, friend and foe, Muslim and non-Muslim, the ruler and the ruled, were all treated equally and all of them could count on receiving justice. The qazis (judges) were independent and no one, including the khalifah (ruler) was above the law. If a dispute arose between the Khalifah and an ordinary person, both had to appear in court and provide their evidence. Islamic history is full of stories of this justice that filled the earth wherever Muslims ruled in their golden era. 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. 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.
The Holy Qur’an warns believers against subjective factors or personal emotions leading them to deviate from the path of justice. Holy Quran says, “O you who believe! Stand out firmly for Allah and be just witnesses and let not the enmity and hatred of others make you avoid justice. Be just: That is nearer to piety, and fear Allah. Verily, Allah is Well-Acquainted with what you do.” (Al-Maidah: 8) Muslims are also called upon to rise above social evils such as nepotism and favoritism. Almighty Allah says in the Holy Qur’an, “O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even though it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, be he rich or poor, Allah is a Better Protector to both (than you). So follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you may avoid justice, and if you distort your witness or refuse to give it, verily, Allah is Ever Well-Acquainted with what you do.” (Al-Nisa: 135) A disordered society compounded of danger and distractions, unjust and troubled, provides no security for any other human pursuit let alone his spiritual development.
The man who has to worry about his family’s safety all the time is diverted from the remembrance of Allah, as is the one who has suffered injustice and must struggle to eliminate feelings of anger and resentment. Injustice fractures the brotherhood and sisterhood of the believers, which is an essential element of an Islamic society. The simple fact is that Allah, who is called “the Just,” commands justice both in society and in every aspect of human relations. There were cases in the early history of Islam when men whom the ruler intended to appoint as judges fled from the court rather than assume this terrifying responsibility. The Prophet (peace be upon him) himself when he was called upon to judge between litigants in civil matters warned that one of them might be more eloquent in putting his case than the other and thereby achieve an unjust settlement. “In such a case,” the Prophet (S.A.W) said, “I will have given him a portion of hellfire.” This is clearly a grave matter indicating that those who seek justice must themselves practice it without deviation even to their own hurt. Once Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) came to the mosque in Medina he said to the assembled people: “If there is anyone among you whom I have caused to be flogged unjustly, here is my back. Strike in your turn. If I have damaged the reputation of any among you, let him do the same to mine. To any I may have injured, here is my purse… It is better to blush in this world than in the hereafter”. A man claimed a small debt and was promptly paid. For a Muslim, his yardstick in his life is the Holy Qur’an together with the example of the Prophet and their reflection in the human heart. There is no higher aim for the Muslim than the cultivation of a God-fearing heart. From the sound heart comes sound judgment. The Muslim world at present is in a state of chaos, which is attributed to the lack of social and political justice for the common man in many countries. We realize this fact more than most people, as the peace of many of our brothers and sisters in various parts of the globe has been tragically disrupted –in Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan, Kashmir, Somalia and other locales. Debt generated by Western governments and institutions has created more than three decades of injustice, impoverishment, instability and poor governance across the Muslim world. Many Muslim countries are suffering under unbearable debt burdens. Real peace and justice would be well served in the world today if illegal and aggressive wars were stopped, and if areas of violent occupation were allowed to be free. Islam is a realistic religion and recognizes the reality of human weakness. Those who are injured are permitted to take retaliation (Al-Qisas) but they are reminded at every turn that it is better to forgive and to seek reconciliation. The Muslims are commanded to return good for evil, thus breaking the vicious circle of animosity. In the Holy Prophet’s (S.A.W) dealings with the unbelievers, who tried every means to destroy him and his community, he exemplified the rule of forgiveness and reconciliation, forgiving even the most vicious of his enemies when he finally re-entered Makkah in triumph, providing them with gifts so that their hard hearts might be softened and peace prevail after the years of conflict. Justice might have required their punishment, but there is no contradiction here since there is more than one way to achieve balance, which, after all, is the ultimate objective of justice.
Islam describes its community as a society of the middle way (Al-Ummah Al-Wasat), a religion of moderation in everything except the love and worship of Allah. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) condemned extremism with the greatest severity according to him (S.A.W) “anger burns up good deeds just as fire burns up dry wood.” The reality about justice in the Islamic religion is that justice is Allah’s balance on Earth, with which the weak get their rights. Justice is one of the basic human values established by Islam and is one of the main pillars of individual, family and social lives. The Quran made the establishment of “Al qist” (justice) among people the main objective of all the heavenly messages. Allah says: We sent aforetime our apostles with Clear Signs and sent down with them the Book and the Balance (of Right and Wrong), that men may stand forth in justice (Al-Hadid 57: 25). Islam has also ordered justice in speech. Allah says: Whenever ye speak, speak justly, even if a near relative is concerned (Al-An’am 6: 152). Islam also commands justice in judgment. Allah says: Allah doth command you to render back your Trusts to those to whom they are due; And when ye judge between man and man, that ye judge with justice} (Annisa’: 58). According to a saying of the Prophet, Almighty Allah says, “O My slaves, I have forbidden injustice for Myself and forbade it also for you. So avoid being unjust to one another” (Saheeh Muslim). Islam has “generally” commanded the establishment of justice in all matters, it has in some cases been quite specific especially in those cases where oppression frequently occurs, goes unrecognized or is unlikely to be scorned. Regarding treatment of orphans Allah says: “Indeed those who unjustly devour the wealth and property of orphans under their care, they only eat fire into their stomachs, and they will burn in the blazing fire!” (An-Nisa`, 4:10), regarding Justice in business dealings and trade Allah says: “…And give full measure and full weight with justice…” (Al-An`am, 6:152 ), regarding Justice between wives Allah says: “…marry women of your choice, two, three up to four women, but if you fear that you will not be able to deal justly between them then (marry) only one…” (AN-Nisa`, 4:3) This indicates the great importance that Islam has assigned to justice, even in personal matters and regarding Justice in punishment. Al-Bukhari and Muslim have collected on the authority of ‘Aaishah (R.A) that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Indeed that which destroyed those who came before you is that if a person of nobility and status was guilty of theft they would set him free without punishment and if a commoner did the same they would cut off his hand. As for me, I swear by Allah, if Fatimah (R.A) the daughter of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) committed thievery I would cut off her hand.” So this is a summary of Islam’s view of justice. May Allah make us all from the just and allow us to reap the fruits of justice in this life and the hereafter. (Ameen)!
( The authors write regularly on Islamic topics exclusively for “Kashmir Horizon”. Views are their own)