LESSON 14 JUSTICE, EQUALITY AND SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY

The problems produced by injustice and irresponsibility are so complicated tat they go on aggravating. Islam has paid special attention to justice and responsibility, as injustice and irresponsibility are unnatural acts. Everyone wants that justice should be done to him. Islam has preached equity and justice and sense of responsibility in all fields of life.

You will read, Insha-Allah, in this lesson, about some of the problems created by injustice and selfishness and the way the Quran has solved them.

1. The foremost training and education of ISLAM is to eradicate crime from its very root. Circumstances which lead to crime should not be allowed to be created. Nevertheless, if some one spreads disturbance on the earth by his crimes, justice demands that he should be given a deterrent punishment, so that he does not repeat it and others take heed.

It is thought that the cutting the hand of the thief is a cruel punishment, but in reality it just meets the requirement of equity and justice. The hand which commits excises in regard to others property and commits breach of trust, deserves to be cut off, so that others are well advised and everyone in the society guards the wealth of the other members of the society, and consider it a trust. This alone can create a sense of security of life and property in the society and people live without fear and harassment.

ALLAH, the Magnificent, says :




“As to the thief, Male or Female cut off his or her hand(s), a punishment by way of example, form ALLAH, for their crime and ALLAH is Exalted in Power.” (5:38)


2. One of the many perplexing problems, is the family issue. Islam has based the family system on justice and equity, where man and woman enjoy equal position. This is the reason for which those families which observe Islamic system in their lives, always remain happy.

ALLAH, the Magnificent, says :



From what is left by parents and those nearest related there is a share for men and a share for women, whether the property be small or large, a determinate share. (4 : 7)

3. One of the demands of justice and equity is that human beings are not judged from richness and poverty. But piety is the real criteria for greatness.

ALLAH, the Magnificent, says :



“O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of ALLAH is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And ALLAH has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things). (49 : 13)

4. ISLAM established all the time such a noble system of Justice and Equity, which cannot be paralleled.

ALLAH, the Magnificent, says :


“We ordained therein for them “Life for life, eye for eye, nose for nose, ear for ear, tooth for tooth, and wounds equal for equal.” But if any one remits the retaliation by way of charity, it is an act of atonement for himself. And if any fail to judge by (the light of) what ALLAH Hath revealed, they are (no better than) wrong-doers.” (5 : 48)

5. Another aspect of Justice and Equity ordained is that what ever duty is entrusted to a person or what ever he promises, he should fulfill it.

ALLAH, the Magnificent, says :



“And fulfill (every) commitment, as (every) commitment will be inquired into (on the day of Reckoning).” (17 : 34)
 

Questions

After going through the fourteenth lesson, answer the following questions:

Q.1. It is the requirement of ‘Justice and Equity’ that the criminals should be punished according to the quality of crime. After reading verse (41 / Al-Maida), tell, why ALLAH has prescribed cutting off, of the hand, as punishment for theft?


Q.2. ISLAM is the system of life, which really, allocate equal position to man and woman in the society. Before ISLAM, woman was not entitled to get any thing from the heritage of mother, father and relations. ISLAM put an end to this unjust system. Read verse (7 / An-Nisa) and tell how it has been done?

Q.3. ISLAM teaches equality between the entire mankind. In Islam every person is respectable who is pious. This has been taught in the verse (13 / Al-Hujrat) given in para No. 3. Describe briefly if ISLAM had not prescribed piety as the criterion for respect, what vices would have resulted from it?


Q.4. ISLAM has always accorded preference to those who forgive. If one wants take revenge, ISLAM ordains that it should be equal to the grievances. Describe the problems that have come up due to disregard of this Islamic principle of Justice and Equity ?


Q.5. It is the requirement of responsibility that man should fulfill what he promises. Tell us, why it is necessary to fulfill the promise?
 

Answers

1 Allah has prescribed such severe punishment to redicate the crimes from the society.
2 Islam has specifically kept a share for women from the wealth of a deseased husband, parents and near relatives.

3 Injustice will create problems, like back biting, theft, insulting behaviors etc.

4 Injustice, killing, terrorism, theft etc. will be the result if we do not follow the principles of Islam.

5 Because Allah (S.W.T) will ask about it and will punish those who did not honour their commitments