Author: Muhammad Dawood Yusufi Eshaqzahi
Islam and Democracy (Part 43)
Principles of the Islamic Political System
4. Justice
One of the fundamental principles of governance in Islam is that justice must be observed in all matters. In Islamic thought, justice forms the basis of the creation of the universe, and all of creation is established upon divine justice. Therefore, in order to better understand the concept of justice, it is necessary to discuss it in detail.
In the Arabic language, the word “justice” means the opposite of oppression, uprightness, fairness, just judgment, moderation, and balance without excess or deficiency. As defined in the Holy Quran, justice means placing everything in its proper position. The Holy Quran also uses the word “Qist” to denote justice. In general, justice means maintaining moderation and balance in all matters and protecting the rights of others from oppression and transgression.
Justice is the axis of the order of the universe. Allah (SWT) says, «وَالسَّمَاءَ رَفَعَهَا وَوَضَعَ الْمِيزَانَ أَلَّا تَطْغَوْا فِي الْمِيزَانِ وَأَقِيمُوا الْوَزْنَ بِالْقِسْطِ وَلَا تُخْسِرُوا الْمِيزَانَ» [Al-Rahman: 7–9] Translation: “And He raised the heaven and set the balance so that you may not transgress within the balance. And establish weight with justice and do not fall short in the balance.”
These verses emphasize that the system of creation is founded upon precise and orderly laws, and human society cannot be exempt from this principle. True justice means placing everything in its proper position. Any deviation or transgression is contrary to the principles of justice and makes society, like the human body, diseased.
Allah (SWT) has identified the establishment of justice as one of the principal objectives of sending the Prophets (Peace and Blessings of Allah Be Upon Them): «لَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلَنَا بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ وَأَنْزَلْنَا مَعَهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْمِيزَانَ لِيَقُومَ النَّاسُ بِالْقِسْطِ» [Al-Hadid: 25] Translation: “Indeed, We sent Our messengers with clear proofs, and We sent down with them the Scripture and the balance so that people may uphold justice.”
This verse points to three important means for establishing justice:
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Bayyinat (Clear Proofs): Miracles and rational proofs that establish the truthfulness of the Prophets.
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The Book: The divine scriptures containing knowledge, beliefs, rulings, and morals.
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The Balance: The standards and principles used to distinguish truth from falsehood and right from wrong.
The Prophets (Peace and Blessings of Allah Be Upon Them) were equipped with these three means in order to bring people together for the establishment of justice.
The Holy Quran regards justice as the foundation of human society and the Islamic state: «إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَنْ تُؤَدُّوا الْأَمَانَاتِ إِلَى أَهْلِهَا وَإِذَا حَكَمْتُمْ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ أَنْ تَحْكُمُوا بِالْعَدْلِ» [Al-Nisa: 58] Translation: “Indeed, Allah (SWT) commands you to return trusts to those entitled to them, and when you judge between people, to judge with justice.”
The word “al-nas” (people) in this verse demonstrates that justice must be established among all human beings, regardless of their religion, ethnicity, race, region, or any other difference.
Islam places great emphasis on establishing justice and strongly condemns oppression and injustice: «يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُونُوا قَوَّامِينَ لِلَّهِ شُهَدَاءَ بِالْقِسْطِ وَلَا يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَآنُ قَوْمٍ عَلَى أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا اعْدِلُوا هُوَ أَقْرَبُ لِلتَّقْوَى» [Al-Maidah: 8] Translation: “O believers! Stand firm for Allah and bear witness with justice. Do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is closer to righteousness.”
The Responsibility of Rulers in Establishing Justice
Every individual is responsible for observing justice according to the extent of his responsibility. However, because of the weight of their responsibilities, rulers have the greatest duty to establish justice. Islam places particular emphasis on the implementation of justice by rulers and forbids them from oppression, despotism, and lawlessness.
Islam regards justice not only as the foundation of Islamic governance but also as the foundation of the order of the universe. Establishing justice is the responsibility of every Muslim, especially rulers, because in the absence of justice, society falls into decline and moves away from divine objectives.
Justice in Light of the Prophetic Hadiths
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “إِنَّ الْمُقْسِطِينَ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ عَلَى مَنَابِرَ مِنْ نُورٍ عَنْ يَمِينِ الرَّحْمَنِ…” Translation: “Indeed, those who act justly will be upon pulpits of light with Allah, on the right hand of the Most Merciful.” [1]
He also said, “سَبْعَةٌ يُظِلُّهُمُ اللَّهُ فِي ظِلِّهِ يَوْمَ لَا ظِلَّ إِلَّا ظِلُّهُ: إِمَامٌ عَادِلٌ.” Translation: “There are seven whom Allah will shade under His shade on the Day when there will be no shade except His shade: one of them is a just ruler.” [2]
He also said, “وَأَهْلُ الْجَنَّةِ ثَلَاثَةٌ: ذُو سُلْطَانٍ مُقْسِطٌ…” Translation: “The people of Paradise are three: one of them is a just ruler…” [3]
Saad ibn Ubadah (RA) narrated, “«مَا مِنْ أَمِيرٍ إِلَّا يُؤْتَى بِهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ مَغْلُولًا… إِلَّا الْعَدْلُ.” Translation: “There is no ruler who will not be brought on the Day of Resurrection with his hands bound, except the just ruler.” [4]
Abdullah ibn Umar (RA) said, “الظُّلْمُ ظُلُمَاتٌ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ.” Translation: “Oppression will be darkness on the Day of Resurrection.” [5]
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “مَا مِنْ وَالٍ… إِلَّا حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ الْجَنَّةَ.” Translation: “Any ruler who dies while acting treacherously, Allah will forbid Paradise to him.” [6]
He also said, “إِنَّ أَشَدَّ أَهْلِ النَّارِ عَذَابًا… وَإِمَامٌ جَائِرٌ.” Translation: “Among those who will suffer the severest punishment in Hell is an oppressive ruler…” [7]
Conclusion
These Quranic verses and hadiths demonstrate that justice occupies a very high position in the Islamic political system. Islam is a religion of justice and consistently opposes oppression, transgression, lawlessness, and injustice. Islamic rulers should possess qualities such as mercy, compassion, gentleness, good governance, justice, and impartiality so that they can win the hearts of the people and establish a deep bond with them.
To be continued…
[1] Takhrij Fath al-Bari, Hadith no. 660.
[3] Sahih Muslim, Hadith no. 4960.
[4] Musnad Imam Ahmad, vol. 5, p. 284.
[5] Sahih Muslim, Hadith no. 1203.
[6] Muttafaqun ‘Alayh, Hadith no. 3686.
[7] Al-Tabarani, Al-Mujam al-Kabir, vol. 10, p. 216.
