الْمُقْسِطُ
One of the Most Beautiful Names of Allah
Al-Muqsit
The Equitable
Justice and equity in all Allah does and decides: that is Al-Muqsit, who gives each their due. The Quran says that Allah loves those who uphold justice and those who are fair (49:9, 60:8), and the Prophet ﷺ promised them pulpits of light.
Key verse
﴿وَنَضَعُ ٱلْمَوَٰزِينَ ٱلْقِسْطَ لِيَوْمِ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ فَلَا تُظْلَمُ نَفْسٌ شَيْـًٔا ۖ وَإِن كَانَ مِثْقَالَ حَبَّةٍ مِّنْ خَرْدَلٍ أَتَيْنَا بِهَا ۗ وَكَفَىٰ بِنَا حَـٰسِبِينَ﴾We set up the scales of justice for the Day of Judgment, so no soul will be wronged in the least. And ˹even˺ if a deed is the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it forth. And sufficient are We as a ˹vigilant˺ Reckoner.
The scholar's text
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.
Note: No source is given above for the figure 81. Ibn Kathir (on 7:180) reports that many hadith scholars held the list of Names in the hadith of at-Tirmidhi to be an addition by its narrators, gathered by scholars from the Quran, and that the Most Beautiful Names are not limited to ninety-nine.
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.
اسم الله الدال على العدل: الله سبحانه وتعالى هو المقسط، وهو قريب في معناه أو صلته من اسمي العدل والحكم. هو الذي يوازن العقوبة بالجرم موازنة تامة، فينصف المظلوم ويحاسب الظالم بقدر مساو.
(وَنَضَعُ ٱلْمَوَٰزِينَ ٱلْقِسْطَ لِيَوْمِ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ فَلَا تُظْلَمُ نَفْسٌ شَيْـًٔا ۖ وَإِن كَانَ مِثْقَالَ حَبَّةٍ مِّنْ خَرْدَلٍ أَتَيْنَا بِهَا ۗ وَكَفَىٰ بِنَا حَـٰسِبِينَ) الأنبياء 21: 47
كما ذكرنا في أسماء سابقة، للعلماء معايير مختلفة فيما يعد اسما لله سبحانه وتعالى. ومن الأسماء التسعة والتسعين ورد 81 اسما صريحا في القرآن، ولذلك لا توجد قائمة متفق عليها للأسماء الثمانية عشر الباقية. والمقسط من الأسماء التي لم يدرجها بعض العلماء.
ملاحظة: لم يُذكر مصدر لعدد 81 في النص أعلاه. ونقل ابن كثير (عند الأعراف 7: 180) أن جماعة من الحفاظ عولوا على أن سرد الأسماء في حديث الترمذي مدرج، جمعه بعض أهل العلم من القرآن، وأن الأسماء الحسنى ليست منحصرة في التسعة والتسعين.
المقسط، من الجذر ق س ط، هو العادل المنصف تمام العدل والإنصاف. ومعنى أن الله هو المقسط أنه يعطي كل ذي حق حقه، ويقيم الإنصاف والعدل في جميع أفعاله وأحكامه.
آثار اسم المقسط:
العدل المطلق:
عدل الله مطلق شامل لا نقص فيه، فكل عمل يلقى جزاءه، ثوابا كان أو عقابا، بحسب علمه التام وحكمته.
الإنصاف:
يدل اسم المقسط على إنصاف الله في كل الأمور، فلا يظلم أحدا ويعطي كل أحد حقه. وهذه الصفة تطمئن المؤمنين إلى أن عدل الله نافذ دائما، وإن لم يظهر في هذه الدنيا في الحال.
التوازن والانسجام:
عدل الله يحفظ توازن الكون وانسجامه، فكل شيء في الخلق مقدر موزون بإحكام، شاهد على صفة المقسط.
الإشارة القرآنية:
لم يرد اسم المقسط صريحا في القرآن، لكن معنى عدل الله التام مؤكد في آيات كثيرة، ومنها:
(قُلْ أَمَرَ رَبِّى بِٱلْقِسْطِ ۖ وَأَقِيمُوا۟ وُجُوهَكُمْ عِندَ كُلِّ مَسْجِدٍ وَٱدْعُوهُ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ ٱلدِّينَ ۚ كَمَا بَدَأَكُمْ تَعُودُونَ) الأعراف 7: 29
أثره في حياة المؤمنين:
إقامة العدل:
يُحث المؤمنون على التخلق بمقتضى اسم المقسط بإقامة العدل في معاملاتهم الشخصية والاجتماعية، وأن يجتهدوا في الإنصاف، فيظهر أثر هذه الصفة في أفعالهم.
الثقة بعدل الله:
فهم أن الله هو المقسط يعين المؤمنين على الثقة بعدله، ولا سيما في الشدائد أو حين يرون ظلما ظاهرا في العالم، فيجدون السكينة في يقينهم بأن عدل الله غالب وإن لم يظهر في الحال.
المسؤولية الأخلاقية:
العلم بأن الله عادل تمام العدل يجعل المؤمنين مسؤولين عن أعمالهم، ويؤكد أهمية العمل الصالح والخلق القويم، لعلمهم أن المقسط سيحاسبهم.
ومن الأحاديث الدالة على عدل الله:
«يَا عِبَادِي إِنِّي حَرَّمْتُ الظُّلْمَ عَلَى نَفْسِي وَجَعَلْتُهُ بَيْنَكُمْ مُحَرَّمًا فَلاَ تَظَالَمُوا»
(صحيح مسلم)
يبين هذا الحديث التزام الله بالعدل، وأهمية اجتناب الظلم، ويحث المؤمنين على التخلق بالإنصاف والعدل في معاملاتهم.
الخلاصة:
المقسط، العادل، يبرز عدل الله التام الشامل، ويطمئن المؤمنين إلى العدل الكامل في حكم الله وأفعاله، ويحثهم على إقامة العدل في حياتهم. والتأمل في هذه الصفة يعين المؤمنين على الثقة بعدل الله، والاجتهاد في العدل والإنصاف في معاملاتهم اليومية.
Allah Loves Those Who Are Fair
﴿وَإِن طَآئِفَتَانِ مِنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ٱقْتَتَلُوا۟ فَأَصْلِحُوا۟ بَيْنَهُمَا ۖ فَإِنۢ بَغَتْ إِحْدَىٰهُمَا عَلَى ٱلْأُخْرَىٰ فَقَـٰتِلُوا۟ ٱلَّتِى تَبْغِى حَتَّىٰ تَفِىٓءَ إِلَىٰٓ أَمْرِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ فَإِن فَآءَتْ فَأَصْلِحُوا۟ بَيْنَهُمَا بِٱلْعَدْلِ وَأَقْسِطُوٓا۟ ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُقْسِطِينَ﴾And if two groups of believers fight each other, then make peace between them. But if one of them transgresses against the other, then fight against the transgressing group until they ˹are willing to˺ submit to the rule of Allah. If they do so, then make peace between both ˹groups˺ in all fairness and act justly. Surely Allah loves those who uphold justice.
Two groups of believers fighting each other: 49:9 says make peace between them, and make it with justice, for Allah loves those who are fair. Why add justice to peace? Al-Sa'di's answer: a deal can be struck that wrongs one side, tilted for kinship, homeland or some other aim, and that is not the peace Allah commanded. By muqsitin he understands those who judge justly between people and in every trust they hold.
Arabic: إن الله يحب المقسطين
تأمر آية الحجرات بالإصلاح بين الطائفتين المقتتلتين من المؤمنين بالعدل: ﴿فَأَصْلِحُوا۟ بَيْنَهُمَا بِٱلْعَدْلِ وَأَقْسِطُوٓا۟ ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُقْسِطِينَ﴾، قال السعدي: «هذا أمر بالصلح، وبالعدل في الصلح، فإن الصلح، قد يوجد، ولكن لا يكون بالعدل، بل بالظلم والحيف على أحد الخصمين، فهذا ليس هو الصلح المأمور به، فيجب أن لا يراعى أحدهما، لقرابة، أو وطن، أو غير ذلك من المقاصد والأغراض، التي توجب العدول عن العدل»، وقال في المقسطين: «أي: العادلين في حكمهم بين الناس وفي جميع الولايات».
Kind and Fair to Those Who Do Not Fight You
﴿لَّا يَنْهَىٰكُمُ ٱللَّهُ عَنِ ٱلَّذِينَ لَمْ يُقَـٰتِلُوكُمْ فِى ٱلدِّينِ وَلَمْ يُخْرِجُوكُم مِّن دِيَـٰرِكُمْ أَن تَبَرُّوهُمْ وَتُقْسِطُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُقْسِطِينَ﴾Allah does not forbid you from dealing kindly and fairly with those who have neither fought nor driven you out of your homes. Surely Allah loves those who are fair.
Some believers, al-Sa'di relates, began to feel guilty for keeping ties with idolater relatives after the verses on enmity came down. 60:8 lifted that worry. Kindness, keeping ties, returning good for good and fairness, toward relatives or anyone else, are not forbidden toward those who have not fought Muslims over their religion or driven them out of their homes; and Allah loves the fair, the verse closes.
Arabic: أن تبروهم وتقسطوا إليهم
جاءت آية الممتحنة جوابا عن حرج بعد نزول آيات العداوة، قال السعدي: «وتأثموا من صلة بعض أقاربهم المشركين، وظنوا أن ذلك داخل فيما نهى الله عنه». فقال تعالى: ﴿لَّا يَنْهَىٰكُمُ ٱللَّهُ عَنِ ٱلَّذِينَ لَمْ يُقَـٰتِلُوكُمْ فِى ٱلدِّينِ﴾، قال السعدي: «أي: لا ينهاكم الله عن البر والصلة، والمكافأة بالمعروف، والقسط للمشركين، من أقاربكم وغيرهم»، ما لم يقاتلوهم في الدين ولم يخرجوهم من ديارهم، وتختم الآية: ﴿إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُقْسِطِينَ﴾.
Even Against Yourselves
﴿يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُونُوا۟ قَوَّٰمِينَ بِٱلْقِسْطِ شُهَدَآءَ لِلَّهِ وَلَوْ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَوِ ٱلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ وَٱلْأَقْرَبِينَ ۚ إِن يَكُنْ غَنِيًّا أَوْ فَقِيرًا فَٱللَّهُ أَوْلَىٰ بِهِمَا ۖ فَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا۟ ٱلْهَوَىٰٓ أَن تَعْدِلُوا۟ ۚ وَإِن تَلْوُۥٓا۟ أَوْ تُعْرِضُوا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرًا﴾O believers! Stand firm for justice as witnesses for Allah even if it is against yourselves, your parents, or close relatives. Be they rich or poor, Allah is best to ensure their interests. So do not let your desires cause you to deviate ˹from justice˺. If you distort the testimony or refuse to give it, then ˹know that˺ Allah is certainly All-Aware of what you do.
4:135 commands the believers to stand firm for justice as witnesses for Allah, even against themselves, their parents or their relatives. Al-Sa'di divides justice in two. Toward Allah, it is not using His blessings to disobey Him. Toward people, it is giving every right you owe as you ask for your own. And among the greatest kinds of justice, he says, is giving the testimony you hold whatever it costs, against those you love and against yourself.
Arabic: كونوا قوامين بالقسط
تأمر آية النساء: ﴿كُونُوا۟ قَوَّٰمِينَ بِٱلْقِسْطِ شُهَدَآءَ لِلَّهِ وَلَوْ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَوِ ٱلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ وَٱلْأَقْرَبِينَ﴾، قال السعدي: «فالقسط في حقوق الله أن لا يستعان بنعمه على معصيته، بل تصرف في طاعته. والقسط في حقوق الآدميين أن تؤدي جميع الحقوق التي عليك كما تطلب حقوقك»، وقال: «ومن القسط أداء الشهادة التي عندك على أي وجه كان، حتى على الأحباب بل على النفس».
So That People May Uphold Justice
﴿لَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلَنَا بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ وَأَنزَلْنَا مَعَهُمُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلْمِيزَانَ لِيَقُومَ ٱلنَّاسُ بِٱلْقِسْطِ ۖ وَأَنزَلْنَا ٱلْحَدِيدَ فِيهِ بَأْسٌ شَدِيدٌ وَمَنَـٰفِعُ لِلنَّاسِ وَلِيَعْلَمَ ٱللَّهُ مَن يَنصُرُهُۥ وَرُسُلَهُۥ بِٱلْغَيْبِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَوِىٌّ عَزِيزٌ﴾Indeed, We sent Our messengers with clear proofs, and with them We sent down the Scripture and the balance ˹of justice˺ so that people may administer justice. And We sent down iron with its great might, benefits for humanity, and means for Allah to prove who ˹is willing to˺ stand up for Him and His messengers without seeing Him. Surely Allah is All-Powerful, Almighty.
57:25 gives the purpose of every message: the messengers were sent with clear proofs, the Scripture and the balance, so that people may administer justice. Al-Sa'di explains the balance as justice in words and deeds, and says the whole religion the messengers brought is justice, in its commands, its prohibitions and people's dealings. All the messengers agree on that base, he adds. 55:9 brings it to the marketplace: weigh with justice, which al-Sa'di explains as keeping the scale upright as far as you are able.
Arabic: ليقوم الناس بالقسط
تبين آية الحديد غاية الرسالات: ﴿لَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلَنَا بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ وَأَنزَلْنَا مَعَهُمُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلْمِيزَانَ لِيَقُومَ ٱلنَّاسُ بِٱلْقِسْطِ﴾، قال السعدي في الميزان: «وهو العدل في الأقوال والأفعال، والدين الذي جاءت به الرسل، كله عدل وقسط في الأوامر والنواهي وفي معاملات الخلق»، وقال: «وهذا دليل على أن الرسل متفقون في قاعدة الشرع، وهو القيام بالقسط». وفي آية الرحمن: ﴿وَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلْوَزْنَ بِٱلْقِسْطِ وَلَا تُخْسِرُوا۟ ٱلْمِيزَانَ﴾، قال السعدي: «أي: اجعلوه قائما بالعدل، الذي تصل إليه مقدرتكم وإمكانكم».
Pulpits of Light
Those who are fair, whom Allah loves, have a reward the Prophet ﷺ described: “the Dispensers of justice will be seated on the pulpits of light beside God, on the right side of the Merciful”, “those who do justice in their rules, in matters relating to their families and in all that they undertake to do” (Sahih Muslim 1827). The Name itself comes in the list of Names in Jami at-Tirmidhi 3507, which al-Albani graded weak, and Ibn Kathir reports, on 7:180, that many hadith scholars held that list to be an addition by its narrators, gathered from the Quran.
Arabic: المقسطون على منابر من نور
والمقسطون الذين يحبهم الله ذكر النبي ﷺ جزاءهم: «إِنَّ الْمُقْسِطِينَ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ عَلَى مَنَابِرَ مِنْ نُورٍ عَنْ يَمِينِ الرَّحْمَنِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَكِلْتَا يَدَيْهِ يَمِينٌ الَّذِينَ يَعْدِلُونَ فِي حُكْمِهِمْ وَأَهْلِيهِمْ وَمَا وَلُوا» (صحيح مسلم 1827). والاسم نفسه في سرد الأسماء في جامع الترمذي 3507 الذي ضعفه الألباني، وقال ابن كثير عند آية الأعراف: «والذي عول عليه جماعة من الحفاظ أن سرد الأسماء في هذا الحديث مدرج فيه»، أي أن بعض أهل العلم جمعوها من القرآن.
From the Sunnah
the Dispensers of justice will be seated on the pulpits of light beside God, on the right side of the Merciful, Exalted and GlorioUS. Either side of the Being is the right side both being equally mrneritorious. (The Dispensers of justice are) those who do justice in their rules, in matters relating to their families and in all that they undertake to do
إِنَّ الْمُقْسِطِينَ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ عَلَى مَنَابِرَ مِنْ نُورٍ عَنْ يَمِينِ الرَّحْمَنِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَكِلْتَا يَدَيْهِ يَمِينٌ الَّذِينَ يَعْدِلُونَ فِي حُكْمِهِمْ وَأَهْلِيهِمْ وَمَا وَلُوا
A du'a with this Name
وَأَسْأَلُكَ كَلِمَةَ الْحَقِّ فِي الرِّضَا وَالْغَضَبِ
I ask You to make me true in speech in times of pleasure and of anger
Sunan an-Nasa'i 1305, graded sahih by al-Albani: part of the du'a Ammar ibn Yasir said he heard from the Prophet ﷺ
Related Names
Questions about Al-Muqsit
What does Al-Muqsit mean?
Al-Muqsit gives each their due, with fairness and justice in all that Allah does and decides.
Whom does Allah love, in the meaning of Al-Muqsit?
The just and the fair: 49:9 ends, Surely Allah loves those who uphold justice, and 60:8, Surely Allah loves those who are fair.
May a Muslim be kind to non-Muslims?
Yes, toward those not at war with Muslims over their faith: 60:8 allows kindness and fairness to them, and al-Sa'di names keeping ties with relatives.
Who are al-muqsitun in the hadith?
“those who do justice in their rules, in matters relating to their families and in all that they undertake to do”, the Prophet ﷺ said, and they will be on pulpits of light (Sahih Muslim 1827).