Reflections on the Name of Allah: Al-Muqsit (The Equitable)
Table of Contents
The Significance of the Name Al-Muqsit (The Equitable)
Allah's name of justice.
Allah (The Almighty) 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.
Evidence from the Quran
"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)
(وَنَضَعُ ٱلۡمَوَٰزِينَ ٱلۡقِسۡطَ لِيَوۡمِ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِ فَلَا تُظۡلَمُ نَفۡسٞ شَيۡـٔٗاۖ وَإِن كَانَ مِثۡقَالَ حَبَّةٖ مِّنۡ خَرۡدَلٍ أَتَيۡنَا بِهَاۗ وَكَفَىٰ بِنَا حَٰسِبِينَ)
As we've mentioned in previous names, different scholars have different criteria for what qualifies as a name of Allah (The Almighty) 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 (The Equitable) is one of those names which is not included by certain scholars.
Al-Muqsit (The Equitable), derived from the Arabic root "q-s-t," refers to the One who is perfectly just and equitable. Allah (The Almighty) as Al-Muqsit (The Equitable) means He who gives each one their due and ensures fairness and justice in all His actions and decisions.
Implications of Al-Muqsit (The Equitable)
- Absolute Justice: Allah (The Almighty)’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 (The Equitable) signifies Allah (The Almighty)’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 (The Almighty)’s justice maintains the balance and harmony of the universe. Everything in creation is perfectly measured and balanced, reflecting His attribute of Al-Muqsit (The Equitable).
Quranic Reference
While the name Al-Muqsit (The Equitable) is not explicitly mentioned in the Quran, the concept of Allah (The Almighty)'s perfect justice is emphasized in numerous verses. One such verse is:
"Say, 'My Ar-Rabb (The 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 (The Equitable) 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 (The Almighty) as Al-Muqsit (The Equitable) 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 (The Almighty)’s justice will prevail, even if not immediately visible.
- Moral Responsibility: Knowing that Allah (The Almighty) 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 (The Equitable).
Example in Hadith
A relevant hadith that reflects Allah (The Almighty)’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 (The Almighty)’s commitment to justice and the importance of avoiding oppression, urging believers to embody fairness and equity in their dealings.
Al-Muqsit (The Equitable): The Perfect Judge of Divine Justice
Al-Muqsit (The Equitable) signifies Allah (The Almighty)’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 (The Almighty)’s justice will prevail on the Day of Judgment:
"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)
وَنَضَعُ ٱلۡمَوَٰزِينَ ٱلۡقِسۡطَ لِيَوۡمِ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِ فَلَا تُظۡلَمُ نَفۡسٞ شَيۡـٔٗاۖ وَإِن كَانَ مِثۡقَالَ حَبَّةٖ مِّنۡ خَرۡدَلٍ أَتَيۡنَا بِهَاۗ وَكَفَىٰ بِنَا حَٰسِبِينَ
This verse reassures believers that every action, no matter how small, will be accounted for on the Day of Judgment. Allah (The Almighty)’s attribute of Al-Muqsit (The Equitable) 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 Equitable): The Embodiment of Equity and Fairness
Al-Muqsit (The Equitable) also highlights Allah (The Almighty)’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 (The Almighty)’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:
"Say, 'My Ar-Rabb (The 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)
قُلْ أَمَرَ رَبِّي بِالْقِسْطِ ۖ وَأَقِيمُوا وُجُوهَكُمْ عِندَ كُلِّ مَسْجِدٍ وَادْعُوهُ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ
This verse emphasizes the importance of practicing fairness and sincerity in all aspects of life, whether in worship or daily interactions. By recognizing Allah (The Almighty) as Al-Muqsit (The Equitable), believers are reminded to strive for justice and equity, knowing that Allah (The Almighty)’s justice is always comprehensive and perfect.
Trusting in Divine Justice: Patience in Times of Injustice
Al-Muqsit (The Equitable) offers believers the comfort of knowing that Allah (The Almighty)’s justice will ultimately prevail, even when they witness or experience injustice in the world. The belief in Allah (The Almighty)’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 (The Almighty)’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 (The Equitable) helps them remain steadfast in the face of adversity, knowing that Allah (The Almighty) will deliver justice in due time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Al-Muqsit (The Equitable)
Q: What is the meaning of the Name Al-Muqsit (The Equitable)?
A: Al-Muqsit (The Equitable) means The Equitable and The Just. It signifies that Allah (The Almighty) perfectly balances actions and consequences, guaranteeing absolute fairness where the victim is satisfied and the perpetrator is held accountable in equal measure.
Q: Is the name Al-Muqsit (The Equitable) universally agreed upon as one of the 99 Names?
A: While the concept and action of Allah (The Almighty)'s perfect justice is an absolute pillar of Islamic belief (emphasized heavily in the Quran), Al-Muqsit is one of the 18 names that is not explicitly stated in its exact noun form in the Quran. Therefore, it is not included in every scholar's specific list of the 99 Names.
Q: How does belief in Al-Muqsit (The Equitable) help someone experiencing worldly injustice?
A: It provides immense comfort and patience. A believer knows that worldly injustice is temporary and that Al-Muqsit (The Equitable) will eventually place the "scales of justice" on the Day of Resurrection (Al-Anbiya 21:47), ensuring that not even the weight of a mustard seed of wrong will go unaddressed.
Q: How can a Muslim emulate the attribute of Al-Muqsit (The Equitable)?
A: By upholding strict justice and equity in their personal and social lives, even when it is difficult. This means avoiding all forms of oppression, treating people fairly regardless of bias, and remembering that they are morally accountable to The Perfect Judge.