I would like to quote the conclusion of Syed Jafar Raza’s book “Essence of Islam” as it perfectly sums up that Islam is justice:
“If I am asked to summarize the nature of Islam and the principles of Islam in just one word, I would say justice. Islam is synonymous with justice. Justice to Creator by having faith in Him and by obeying His injunctions and mandate, as He is justice. Justice to the Prophet of God by following him as he represents the authority of God. Justice to one’s own self by keeping it secure from sinfulness and egoism. Justice to the body by keeping it healthy and free from undue exertion and illness. Justice to his soul by keeping it pure with piety. Justice in the matrimonial sphere. Justice to parents as they have been instrumental in gifting our existence. Justice to a spouse who shares the burden of leading a family life. Justice to the offsprings as they are the extensions of our own life by motivating them to take the right direction in life. Justice to neighbors by sharing with them in their moments of trial. Justice to the sick by helping to restore health. Justice to the downtrodden and poor by supplementing their basic needs. Justice to the motherland by enjoying the fragrance of its soul, by loving and promoting its prosperity and being ready to sacrifice for it. Justice to the entire humanity by contributing to its development. Justice to knowledge by making it reach far and wide, by enabling mankind to enjoy its fruits without discrimination. Justice, therefore, is the foundation of Islamic principles and occupies a place next to the oneness of God.”
This Hadith ul Kudsi, “O my slaves, I have forbidden oppression for Myself and have made it forbidden amongst you so do not oppress one another” aptly illustrates the severity of injustice in Islam.
Allah (SWT) could choose to be an oppressor but does not as the above hadith makes clear that He forbids it for himself so as human beings, who are we to be oppressors? In a loving and courteous way, the Almighty Allah (SWT) is forbidding us to oppress one another as it goes against our spirit of love and instinct of mercy, kindness, and compassion.
Furthermore, Allah (SWT) is reminding us that He created us to worship and serve Him not to show injustice to someone else. Allah (SWT) is also telling us that He has not given us the authority to act as a master or the authority to wrong someone else.
Another important point of this Hadith is that Allah (SWT) admonishment not to oppress is for all of mankind regardless of religious belief. By mistreating Allah’s (SWT)creation, a person sacrifices the love of Allah (SWT), and Allah (SWT does not guide an oppressive person or nation.
In a Hadith, our Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) tells us that any person regardless of religious belief that we did not have a right to wrong, the Holy Prophet (SAW) will act as the prosecutor against that transgressor. As Muslims, we want Prophet Muhammad (SAW) to act as our intercessor (Shifa) on Day of Judgement to get us into Heaven but imagine him acting as a prosecutor against us instead because of acting as an oppressor (Zalim).
Sheikh bn Taymiyyah stated that Allah (SWT) blesses a nation that is just and likewise Allah (SWT) takes away blessings from a nation that is not just. This statement has a profound meaning as it suggests that Allah (SWT) will uphold a just nation even if it is not a believing nation whereas Allah (SWT) will destroy an unjust nation even if it is a believing or Muslim nation. Ibn Taymiyyah believed that in this world, people would thrive under justice even with disbelief but not thrive under injustice even with Islam.
The severity of injustice should force us to seek the protection of Allah (SWT) from oppression just like the Holy Prophet (SAW) did as he regularly made dua (supplication) to Allah (SWT)for protection from oppression (zulm) and we do not consciously wrong/oppress someone else.
I thank Sheikh Omar Suleiman for the inspiration and knowledge for this column as it based on his ‘40 Hadiths on Social Justice’ lecture series and may Allah (SWT) reward him for his efforts and service to Islam. Whatever good I have written here is due to the Almighty Allah (SWT) while the mistakes are mine.
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