The beauty of Islam lies in its comprehensive teaching of Justice. So important is justice in human life that it can be classified as identical to Islam. There can be no Islam in the absence of justice. And every system that is just and fair is Islamic.
In Islam, justice is considered a fundamental pillar of faith, deeply rooted in God’s divine nature, and is considered one of the most important principles, requiring Muslims to treat everyone fairly and equitably, regardless of their social status, religion, or ethnicity.
The Quran repeatedly emphasises the necessity of upholding justice in all aspects of life, including personal, social, and political spheres. It is seen as a key element for maintaining a harmonious society and fulfilling one’s religious duty to God.
The Holy Qur’an considers justice to be a supreme virtue. It is a basic objective in human life.
Muslims are commanded to administer Justice under all circumstances even to the enemies who waged war against them for their faith.
Reminding humanity of the significance of justice, God, the maker of human beings, instructs us in the Quran, “O believers! Stand firm for justice as witnesses for Allah even if it is against yourselves, your parents, or close relatives, and whether it be (against) rich or poor: for Allah can best protect both. So, follow not (personal) inclination, lest you not be just …”. (Quran 4:135)
Prophet Mohammad (s) when he migrated to Medina, a city populated by multicultural societies (Muslims, Jews and other non-Muslims), formulated a constitution based on the Islamic concept of justice that enabled the diverse societies to live in peace and harmony throughout his leadership and that of his rightly guided successors.
Justice is certainly crucial for stability in society because when people feel they are being treated fairly and have access to a just system, it fosters trust, reduces conflict, and creates a sense of security, ultimately leading to a more peaceful and stable environment. Without justice, individuals may feel marginalised, leading to unrest and potential social upheaval.
Indeed, the core reason for the armed conflicts in Gaza and the rest of the occupied land is the lack of a sense of justice. As long as this continues, the hope for peace will only be wishful thinking.
Recently, the Palestinians released another four female soldiers who heartily thanked them openly for their kind treatment, compassion and hospitality symbolising that showing compassion to and kind treatment of your enemies based on justice can turn your enemies into best friends.
The four soldiers returned home bringing a message that the Palestinians, in particular the Gazans are not the enemies of Israel. Rather, they can live together in peace and mutual respect based on the two-state solution.
What Israel is required to do now is to favourably respond to the message by extending its hand for peace, ridding of its pride, being honest in its dealings and being civilised with others.
The Palestinians have demonstrated to the world many of the beautiful teachings of Islam, ranging from steadfastness, honesty, compassion and justice and have tempted the hearts of many people to know more about this beautiful religion.
The Australian government very often echoes social cohesion and its significance to the life of our societies. Yes, when people believe the rules apply equally to everyone, it promotes a sense of belonging and shared values, which is essential for social cohesion.
A just system provides mechanisms to resolve disputes peacefully, preventing grievances from escalating into violence or social unrest.
When citizens perceive the legal system as fair and impartial, they are more likely to respect and abide by laws, strengthening the legitimacy of governing bodies.
Feeling treated justly contributes to an individual sense of security and psychological well-being, which is crucial for a stable society.
A stable society with a just legal system is more attractive to investors and businesses, promoting economic growth and prosperity.
When powerful individuals are not held accountable for their actions, it can erode public trust and lead to widespread discontent.
Unequal treatment based on factors like ethnic group, race, gender, or social class can create resentment and social tension.
When perpetrators of crimes are not punished, it can encourage further violence and undermine the rule of law.
The foundations of justice can be traced to the notions of social stability, interdependence, and equal dignity.
The stability of a society or any group depends upon the extent to which the members of that society feel that they are being treated justly.
Overall, Australians are quite happy with the leadership of Anthony Albanese, if I can so speak on their behalf. He is less extreme in his political judgments, although he is still expected to be more prudent and more balanced in his approach to the diverse and multicultural societies he is leading both in his domestic and foreign policies.
God bless Australia!!
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