There is no alternative to justice and equity to maintain peace and order in society and the country. Social unrest is increasing around the world. The main reason for this is the lack of justice. The purpose of justice in Islam is to give everyone their full rights. If all people get their due share, then there is no conflict and unrest.
Allah is the greatest judge. Since establishing justice is the work of Allah, Allah Almighty commands all those involved in governance to establish justice throughout the society and the country. The teaching of Islam is that if one has to testify against one's own parents in order to establish justice, then one should do so.
In Surah An-Nisa verse 35 of the Holy Quran, Allah Almighty says, 'O you who have believed! Be steadfast in establishing justice as witnesses for Allah, even if it is against yourselves or your parents or your near relatives. Allah is the best guardian of both, whether the one being testified about is rich or poor. So do not follow your desires so that you may be able to do justice. And if you distort or turn away from the truth, then know that Allah is fully aware of what you do.'
This verse does not only talk about justice, but also mentions the conditions for establishing justice. For example, not only should justice be established, but the flag of justice should also be kept high. Wherever justice is obstructed, all efforts should be made to establish it.
Testimony should not be given for the sake of harming any party, but only for the sake of gaining the pleasure of Allah Almighty. Because, it is not possible to establish justice without truthful testimony. Even if giving truthful testimony hurts one's own interests or goes against one's parents or close relatives, one must still give truthful testimony. It is not possible to be established on truth without high standards of justice. Therefore, to establish justice, truth must be made the medium.
Elsewhere in Surah Al-Ma'idah verse 8, Allah Almighty further says, 'O you who have believed! Stand firm for justice as witnesses for Allah, and let not enmity towards a people incite you to injustice. Be just. That is nearer to piety. And be pious. Indeed, Allah is fully aware of what you do (Surah Al-Ma'idah: 8).'
One of the most important teachings of Islam is to establish justice throughout society. The main responsibility of each of the prophets and messengers who have come to the world from Allah Almighty so far was to establish justice in society.
As instructed by Allah Almighty, all the prophets and messengers worked towards establishing justice and were successful in this regard.
In the 9th verse of Surah Hujurat of the Holy Quran, Allah Almighty further says, 'And if two parties of the believers fight, make peace between them. Then if one party of them transgresses against the other, fight against the party that transgresses until it returns to Allah's command. Then if they return to Allah's command, make peace between them with justice and be just. Indeed, Allah loves those who are just.'
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the guide to the liberation of humanity, instructed us to “love for others what you love for yourself.” Only if we act on this hadith can we establish justice. We are so focused on achieving our own rights, yet we do not even think about the rights of others. This can never be the work of a Muslim.
