Justice is one of the beautiful names of Allah, and achieving it in the universe is one of the purposes of sending the messengers and revealing the scriptures. Allah says: “We have already sent Our messengers with clear evidences and sent down with them the Scripture and the balance that the people may maintain [their affairs] in justice. And We sent down iron, wherein is great military might and benefits for the people, and so that Allah may make evident those who support Him and His messengers unseen. Indeed, Allah is Powerful and Exalted in Might.” (Al-Hadid: 25). In this verse, Allah has coupled the scripture with the balance, or the truthful revelation with confident justice, and unified their purpose to make people uphold justice. Allah informs His servants that achieving justice requires strength to establish and defend it, so He sent down Surah Al-Hadid (Iron), with which the advocates of justice and truth arm themselves, and with the severe might He has endowed it, the supporters of the messengers and the bearers of the scripture gain victory.
The strictness of justice refuses to allow those who stand to achieve it to be swayed by biases, personal desires, or passionate anger. Allah says: “O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives.” (An-Nisa: 135). “O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for Allah, witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do” (Al-Ma'idah: 8). Here, we understand that above the desired justice are the ranks of piety and excellence, and that the advocates of justice should aspire to their heights; be just, that is closer to piety “Indeed, Allah orders justice and good conduct and giving to relatives” (An-Nahl: 90).
Justice is the foundation upon which the heavens and the earth were established; its presence is integral to the life of societies, legislations, governance, and policies. This is achieved by entrusting matters to those qualified for them and delivering rights to their rightful owners. Allah says: “Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due and when you judge between people to judge with justice. Excellent is that which Allah instructs you. Indeed, Allah is ever Hearing and Seeing.” (An-Nisa: 58).
Political authority based on the methodology of justice is a guarantee for suppressing oppression, returning injustices, struggling against the systems of ignorance and tyranny, and curbing the excesses of man in his ignorance and transgression, and his following of desires; “Indeed, he was unjust and ignorant” (Al-Ahzab: 72). “No! [But] indeed, man transgresses. Because he sees himself self-sufficient” (Al-Alaq). Injustice is a harbinger of the ruin of nations, as Ibn Khaldun said. Thus, Ibn Taymiyyah stated: Allah supports the just state even if it is disbelieving, and does not support the unjust state even if it is Muslim. Through justice, men are reformed, and wealth is abundant.
Establishing justice in the world requires relentless striving on the level of the human soul until it submits to the truth, on the level of groups and organizations until their structure is straightened, and on the level of nations and governments to ensure their internal well-being and their strength against enemies. After that, and because of it, it is a proof of sincerity before Allah leading to His pleasure and His gardens. Allah says: “That home of the Hereafter We assign to those who do not desire exaltedness upon the earth or corruption. And the best outcome is for the righteous” (Al-Qasas: 83).
Undoubtedly, establishing a state of justice and a community of the just necessitates their leadership and mutual support. This cannot be achieved without sound, vibrant, and sovereign faith, as Allah says: “O you who have believed, be supporters of Allah as when Jesus, the son of Mary, said to the disciples, 'Who are my supporters for Allah?' The disciples said, 'We are supporters of Allah.'” (As-Saff: 14).
The Prophet (peace be upon him) sought this desired doctrinal support for years, presenting himself to the tribes of Arabia, until Allah provided him with the people of Medina, who became the best supporters; “And [also for] those who were settled in al-Madinah and [adopted] the faith before them. They love those who emigrated to them” (Al-Hashr: 9). Thus, the first Islamic state was established on the principles of migration and support.
The support of the believers, wherever they are, has always been the goal of the Islamic state. Here is the Prophet (peace be upon him) mobilizing his army to rescue a Muslim woman whom the Jews of Banu Qaynuqa attempted to unveil, and they killed a Muslim who rose in anger for her. He besieged them until he expelled them from the entire city. Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) mobilized his armies to fight those who withheld people's rights in zakat, wanting to hoard it for themselves.
And Qutayba ibn Muslim returned to conquer the city of Bikand in Bukhara in anger for their killing of their Muslim governor and his companions, and he inflicted death and capture upon their fighters. Al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf Al-Thaqafi ordered the conquest of the Sindh region after their pirates attacked a ship carrying Muslim women. The rage for the violation of Muslim women led to Al-Mu'tasim's Abbasid campaign in Asia Minor and the conquest of Amorium in 223 AH in response to the cry of a Muslim woman who shouted, "Oh Islam!" Salahuddin himself killed the Crusader prince Reynald de Chatillon with his own hands after Reynald attacked a Muslim trade caravan in 572 AH and insulted our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
The obligation to support the oppressed remains with all Muslims, even if they do not have a protective state, for the brotherhood of faith is inherent in its essence; “The believers are but brothers” (Al-Hujurat: 10). Our Prophet (peace be upon him) commanded, "Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or is oppressed". A man enquired: "O Messenger of Allah! I help him when he is oppressed, but how can I help him when he is an oppressor?" He (ﷺ) said, "You can keep him from committing oppression. That will be your help to him." (Reported by Bukhari).
The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said, "A Muslim is a Muslim’s brother. He does not wrong, desert or despise him" (Reported by Muslim). He questioned in disapproval, " How could an Ummah (people) be purified (of its sins) where the right of its weak is not taken from its strong?" He also said, "Whoever humiliates a believer and does not support him while being able to do so, Allah will humiliate him before the creation on the Day of Resurrection" (Reported by Ahmad). He further said, "No (Muslim) man will desert a man who is a Muslim in a place where his respect may be violated and his honour aspersed without Allah deserting him in a place here he wishes his help; and no (Muslim) man who will help a Muslim in a place where his honour may be aspersed and his respect violated without Allah helping him in a place where he wishes his help" (Reported by Ahmad and Abu Dawud).
Islam is a revolution against injustice
The messages from the heavens have always been a revolution against the oppressions of the tyrants on earth, and a victory for the oppressed who were suppressed by political Pharaonic rule, as Allah says: “Indeed, Pharaoh exalted himself in the land and made its people into factions, oppressing a sector among them, slaughtering their [newborn] sons and keeping their females alive” (Al-Qasas: 4). And those who were humiliated by the exploitative Qarun, as Allah says: “Indeed, Qarun was from the people of Moses, but he tyrannized them” (Al-Qasas: 76). Allah sent Shu'ayb to his people with a call to monotheism coupled with social justice; “And O my people, give full measure and weight in justice and do not deprive the people of their due and do not commit abuse on the earth, spreading corruption” (Hud: 85).
The legislation of jihad was a rescue for the peoples who had long been subjected to religious and political oppression in the lands of the Persians and the Romans, where their rulers deified themselves, some believing that sacred blood ran through their veins, and others imposed their sectarian religious beliefs on dissenters with iron and fire. The Islamic conquest came as a lifeline for all of these.
No conqueror was known to be more merciful than the Arabs, as Gustave Le Bon said. It is well known how Umar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) was outraged when the son of the conqueror of Egypt, Amr ibn Al-As, struck a Copt who had preceded him. Umar ordered retribution against the prince's son, saying, "Since when do you enslave people when their mothers gave birth to them free?"
The pursuit of supporting the oppressed is one of the reasons for jihad in the religion of Allah; “And what is [the matter] with you that you fight not in the cause of Allah and [for] the oppressed among men, women, and children who say, 'Our Lord, take us out of this city of oppressive people and appoint for us from Yourself a protector and appoint for us from Yourself a helper?'” (An-Nisa: 75). If Muslims are unable to help their brothers, at the very least, they should offer them sympathy, pray for them, and do their utmost to support them. Our Prophet (peace be upon him) used to frequently pray for the oppressed Muslims in Mecca, naming them in his prayers. Umar ibn Al-Khattab used to say, "To rescue a single Muslim from the hands of the disbelievers is dearer to me than the whole Arabian Peninsula."
Injustice has increased in the lands of Muslims, and the number of oppressed has grown, while supporters have dwindled. Many of our people continue to pay the price of tyranny in its various forms. Today, our brethren in Palestine endure an unparalleled injustice, seeking the help of their brothers. Is there a response in any way? A response that clears one's conscience in this world in the face of human values, and in the hereafter before the Lord of the heavens and the earth?
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