Reflections on the Name of Allah: Al-Muqsit
Allah’s name of justice: Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ is Al-Muqsit (The Equitable), which is similar in meaning or connection to the names Al-Adl (The Embodiment of Justice), and Al-Hakam (The Impartial Judge). He is the one who perfectly balances the punishment with the crime. He brings satisfaction to the victim while holding the perpetrator accountable in equal measure.
(وَنَضَعُ ٱلۡمَوَٰزِينَ ٱلۡقِسۡطَ لِيَوۡمِ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِ فَلَا تُظۡلَمُ نَفۡسٞ شَيۡـٔٗاۖ وَإِن كَانَ مِثۡقَالَ حَبَّةٖ مِّنۡ خَرۡدَلٍ أَتَيۡنَا بِهَاۗ وَكَفَىٰ بِنَا حَٰسِبِينَ)
“And We place the scales of justice for the Day of Resurrection, so no soul will be treated unjustly at all. And if there is [even] the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it forth. And sufficient are We as accountant.”— (Al-Anbiya 21:47)
As we’ve mentioned in previous names, different scholars have different criteria for what qualifies as a name of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ. Of the 99 names, 81 are explicitly mentioned in the Qur’an. Therefore, there is not one agreed-upon list for the remaining 18 names. Al-Muqsit is one of those names which is not included by certain scholars.
Al-Muqsit, derived from the Arabic root “q-s-t,” refers to the One who is perfectly just and equitable. Allah as Al-Muqsit means He who gives each one their due and ensures fairness and justice in all His actions and decisions.
Implications of Al-Muqsit:
- Absolute Justice:
- Allah’s justice is absolute, comprehensive, and flawless. He ensures that every action is met with its due consequence, whether reward or punishment, based on His perfect knowledge and wisdom.
- Equity:
- Al-Muqsit signifies Allah’s equity in all matters. He does not wrong anyone and gives everyone their rightful due. This attribute reassures believers that divine justice is always served, even if it is not immediately apparent in this world.
- Balance and Harmony:
- Allah’s justice maintains the balance and harmony of the universe. Everything in creation is perfectly measured and balanced, reflecting His attribute of Al-Muqsit.
Quranic Reference:
While the name Al-Muqsit is not explicitly mentioned in the Quran, the concept of Allah’s perfect justice is emphasized in numerous verses. One such verse is:
“Say, ‘My Lord has commanded justice and that you maintain yourselves [in worship] of Him at every place or time of prostration, and invoke Him, sincere to Him in religion.'”
( Al-A’araf 7:29)
(قُلْ أَمَرَ رَبِّي بِالْقِسْطِ ۖ وَأَقِيمُوا وُجُوهَكُمْ عِندَ كُلِّ مَسْجِدٍ وَادْعُوهُ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ ۚ كَمَا بَدَأَكُمْ تَعُودُونَ)
Reflection in Believers’ Lives:
- Upholding Justice:
- Believers are encouraged to emulate the attribute of Al-Muqsit by upholding justice in their personal and social interactions. They should strive to be fair and equitable, reflecting the divine attribute in their actions.
- Trust in Divine Justice:
- Understanding Allah as Al-Muqsit helps believers place their trust in divine justice, especially in times of hardship or when they witness apparent injustices in the world. They find solace in the belief that Allah’s justice will prevail, even if not immediately visible.
- Moral Responsibility:
- Knowing that Allah is perfectly just holds believers morally accountable for their actions. It reinforces the importance of acting righteously and ethically, knowing that they will be held accountable by Al-Muqsit.
A relevant hadith that reflects Allah’s justice is:
“O My slaves, I have forbidden injustice for Myself and have made it forbidden among you, so do not oppress one another.”
(Sahih Muslim)
This hadith underscores Allah’s commitment to justice and the importance of avoiding oppression, urging believers to embody fairness and equity in their dealings.
Conclusion:
Al-Muqsit, The Just, highlights Allah’s perfect and comprehensive justice. It reassures believers of the ultimate fairness in Allah’s judgment and actions, encouraging them to uphold justice in their own lives. Reflecting on this divine attribute helps believers trust in Allah’s equitable nature and strive to embody justice and fairness in their daily interactions.
Al-Muqsit: The Perfect Judge of Divine Justice
Al-Muqsit signifies Allah’s role as the one who ensures absolute justice and equity in all matters. He administers justice with perfect precision, rewarding or punishing based on complete knowledge and wisdom. This concept is beautifully illustrated in the Quran, which highlights how Allah’s justice will prevail on the Day of Judgment:
وَنَضَعُ ٱلۡمَوَٰزِينَ ٱلۡقِسۡطَ لِيَوۡمِ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِ فَلَا تُظۡلَمُ نَفۡسٞ شَيۡـٔٗاۖ وَإِن كَانَ مِثۡقَالَ حَبَّةٖ مِّنۡ خَرۡدَلٍ أَتَيۡنَا بِهَاۗ وَكَفَىٰ بِنَا حَٰسِبِينَ
“And We place the scales of justice for the Day of Resurrection, so no soul will be treated unjustly at all. And if there is [even] the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it forth. And sufficient are We as accountant.” (Surah Al-Anbiya, 21:47)
This verse reassures believers that every action, no matter how small, will be accounted for on the Day of Judgment. Allah’s attribute of Al-Muqsit guarantees that no injustice will occur, and every person will receive what they truly deserve, reflecting His perfect balance between mercy and justice.
Al-Muqsit: The Embodiment of Equity and Fairness
Al-Muqsit also highlights Allah’s role in ensuring equity and fairness in all aspects of life. He gives everyone their rightful due, and no one is ever wronged by Him. Allah’s justice is impartial, and He judges based on fairness rather than bias. The Quran calls upon believers to uphold justice in their own lives, reflecting the divine attribute:
قُلْ أَمَرَ رَبِّي بِالْقِسْطِ ۖ وَأَقِيمُوا وُجُوهَكُمْ عِندَ كُلِّ مَسْجِدٍ وَادْعُوهُ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ
“Say, ‘My Lord has commanded justice and that you maintain yourselves [in worship] of Him at every place or time of prostration, and invoke Him, sincere to Him in religion.'” (Surah Al-A’raf, 7:29)
This verse emphasizes the importance of practicing fairness and sincerity in all aspects of life, whether in worship or daily interactions. By recognizing Allah as Al-Muqsit, believers are reminded to strive for justice and equity, knowing that Allah’s justice is always comprehensive and perfect.
Trusting in Divine Justice: Patience in Times of Injustice
Al-Muqsit offers believers the comfort of knowing that Allah’s justice will ultimately prevail, even when they witness or experience injustice in the world. The belief in Allah’s perfect justice allows them to find solace and patience, trusting that wrongs will be righted either in this life or the hereafter. A powerful hadith from Sahih Muslim echoes this commitment to justice:
“O My slaves, I have forbidden injustice for Myself and have made it forbidden among you, so do not oppress one another.” (Sahih Muslim)
This hadith highlights Allah’s prohibition of oppression and His command to uphold justice. Believers are urged to emulate this divine attribute by ensuring fairness in their own dealings and avoiding acts of oppression or wrongdoing. Trusting in Al-Muqsit helps them remain steadfast in the face of adversity, knowing that Allah will deliver justice in due time.
Al-Muqsit, The Equitable, reminds believers of Allah’s unwavering commitment to justice and fairness. By reflecting on this divine attribute, they are encouraged to uphold justice in their own lives, trust in Allah’s perfect judgment, and remain patient in times of apparent injustice. Allah’s absolute justice reassures that every action is accounted for and that His fairness extends to all, fostering a sense of moral responsibility in believers.