What Is the Meaning of Justice in Islam?
ما هي العدالة في الإسلام؟
What is the meaning of justice in Islam?
The answer defines justice as delivering rights to those entitled to them and treating all people with complete fairness: every member of society has rights and duties regardless of religion, race, color, or standing, the law applies equally to the ruler and the ruled, and justice is not limited to Muslims.
1. The Core Definition of Justice
Justice in the Islamic concept is delivering rights to those entitled to them, and making sure that all people are treated with complete justice. It means giving everyone who has a right his right, without favoritism or injustice.
2. Universal Rights and Responsibilities
It is that all members of society enjoy rights and fulfill their duties, regardless of their religion, race, color, or social standing. The law applies equally to the rich and the poor, the ruler and the ruled.
3. Justice Beyond Faith
Justice in Islam is not applied to Muslims only; it was made for all members of society regardless of their beliefs. The rights of non-Muslims are protected and sacred, which ensures a safe and just society for all.
ما هي العدالة في الإسلام؟
يعرف الجواب العدل بأنه إيصال الحق إلى أهله ومعاملة جميع الناس بالعدل، فلكل أفراد المجتمع حقوق وعليهم واجبات بغض النظر عن الدين أو العرق أو اللون أو المكانة، والقانون يطبق على الحاكم والمحكوم بالتساوي، والعدالة لا تقتصر على المسلمين.
التعريف الأساسي للعدل
العدل في المفهوم الإسلامي هو إيصال الحق إلى أهله، والتأكد من أن يعامل جميع الناس بالعدل المطلق. ويعني إعطاء كل ذي حق حقه دون محاباة أو ظلم.
الحقوق والواجبات العالمية
وهي تمتع جميع أفراد المجتمع بحقوق، والتزامهم بواجباتهم، بغض النظر عن دينهم أو عرقهم أو لونهم أو مكانتهم الاجتماعية. فالقانون يطبق بالتساوي على الغني والفقير، والحاكم والمحكوم.
العدالة للجميع دون تمييز
والعدالة في الإسلام لا تطبق فقط على المسلمين وإنما جعلت لجميع أفراد المجتمع بغض النظر عن معتقداتهم. فحقوق غير المسلمين محمية ومقدسة، مما يضمن مجتمعا آمنا وعادلا للجميع.
1. Stand Firm for Justice, Even Against Yourselves | كونوا قوامين بالقسط
Allah says: O you who believe, stand firm for justice as witnesses for Allah, even against yourselves, your parents, and your relatives, whether rich or poor (An-Nisa 4:135). Ibn Kathir explains: testify to the truth even if its harm returns upon you or upon your parents and relatives, for the truth rules over everyone; do not favor someone for his wealth or pity him for his poverty.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُونُوا قَوَّامِينَ بِالْقِسْطِ شُهَدَاءَ لِلَّهِ وَلَوْ عَلَىٰ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَوِ الْوَالِدَيْنِ وَالْأَقْرَبِينَ (سورة النساء: 135)
قال تعالى: يا أيها الذين آمنوا كونوا قوامين بالقسط شهداء لله ولو على أنفسكم أو الوالدين والأقربين (النساء 4:135). قال ابن كثير: "بل اشهد بالحق وإن عاد ضررها عليهم، فإن الحق حاكم على كل أحد، وهو مقدم على كل أحد"، وقال في الغني والفقير: "أي: لا ترعاه لغناه، ولا تشفق عليه لفقره".
2. If Fatimah Stole | لو أن فاطمة سرقت
When Quraysh sent Usamah to intercede for a noblewoman of Makhzum who had stolen, the Prophet said: Do you intercede in one of the prescribed punishments of Allah? Then he addressed the people: Those before you were destroyed because when a noble among them stole, they left him, and when a weak one stole, they carried out the punishment on him; by Allah, if Fatimah the daughter of Muhammad stole, I would cut off her hand (Sahih al-Bukhari 3475). This is the answer's point that the law applies equally to all.
لما أهم قريشا شأن المرأة المخزومية التي سرقت وكلم أسامة رسول الله ﷺ فيها، قال: "أتشفع في حد من حدود الله"، ثم قام فاختطب فقال: "إنما أهلك الذين قبلكم أنهم كانوا إذا سرق فيهم الشريف تركوه، وإذا سرق فيهم الضعيف أقاموا عليه الحد، وايم الله، لو أن فاطمة ابنة محمد سرقت لقطعت يدها" (صحيح البخاري 3475). وهذا معنى قول الجواب إن القانون يطبق على الجميع بالتساوي.
3. Justice Toward Non-Muslims and Enemies | العدل مع غير المسلمين والأعداء
Allah says: let not the hatred of a people lead you to be unjust; be just, that is nearer to piety (Al-Ma'idah 5:8). Ibn Kathir explains: apply justice to everyone, friend or foe. The Prophet said: Whoever wrongs a non-Muslim under covenant, belittles him, burdens him beyond his capacity, or takes anything from him without his consent, I will be his opponent on the Day of Resurrection (Sunan Abi Dawud 3052, graded sahih by al-Albani).
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُونُوا قَوَّامِينَ لِلَّهِ شُهَدَاءَ بِالْقِسْطِ ۖ وَلَا يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَآنُ قَوْمٍ عَلَىٰ أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا ۚ اعْدِلُوا هُوَ أَقْرَبُ لِلتَّقْوَىٰ (سورة المائدة: 8)
قال تعالى: ولا يجرمنكم شنآن قوم على ألا تعدلوا اعدلوا هو أقرب للتقوى (المائدة 5:8). قال ابن كثير: "بل استعملوا العدل في كل أحد، صديقا كان أو عدوا". وقال النبي ﷺ: "ألا من ظلم معاهدا أو انتقصه أو كلفه فوق طاقته أو أخذ منه شيئا بغير طيب نفس فأنا حجيجه يوم القيامة" (سنن أبي داود 3052، وصححه الألباني).
Scholarly Insight: Allah commands believers to stand firm for justice even against themselves, their parents, and relatives, rich or poor (An-Nisa 4:135), and not to let hatred of a people lead them away from it (Al-Ma'idah 5:8), which Ibn Kathir explains as justice toward everyone, friend or foe. The Prophet said he would cut the hand of his own daughter Fatimah if she stole (Sahih al-Bukhari 3475), and that he will be the opponent of whoever wrongs a non-Muslim under covenant (Sunan Abi Dawud 3052). Read more in the tafsir of Surah Al-Ma'idah.
Frequently Asked Questions | الأسئلة الشائعة
How does Islam define justice?
The answer defines it as delivering rights to those entitled to them and giving everyone his right without favoritism or injustice.
Does justice in Islam apply to non-Muslims?
Yes. The answer says it was made for all members of society; the Prophet said he would be the opponent of whoever wrongs a non-Muslim under covenant (Sunan Abi Dawud 3052).
Must a Muslim be just even against his own family?
Yes. Allah commands standing firm for justice even against yourselves, your parents, and your relatives (An-Nisa 4:135).
Does social status change how the law applies?
No. The Prophet said that if Fatimah, his own daughter, stole, he would cut off her hand (Sahih al-Bukhari 3475).
Prepared by Eng. Ghada Homad, founder of IslamFAQ, researched and written in consultation with qualified scholars, reviewed by Professor Khaled Jassem Al-Houli, Associate Professor of Comparative Jurisprudence and Islamic Politics, Faculty of Sharia and Islamic Studies, University of Kuwait. Read more about the authors and this project →