JUSTICE UNDER ALL CIRCUMSTANCES
(Surat as-Saff; 2-3)
"You were bandying it about on your tongues, your mouths uttering something about which you had no knowledge. You considered it to be a trivial matter, but, in Allah's Sight, it is immense."
(Surat an-Nur; 15)
JUSTICE UNDER ALL CIRCUMSTANCES
Justice means being fair and impartial when offering solutions to problems between people. Those who do not live by the values of the Qur'an, however, generally do not conduct themselves with a sense of justice. Many external factors may have positive or negative impact on their decisions. A person may give preference to the party he feels closer to himself, or his own interests may influence the verdict; he may veer from justice for the sake of personal inclinations.
Deviation from strict justice is often greatest towards those whom one dislikes most. Grudges and resentment cloud the mind and make it hard to take a decision in favor of the despised party. Rage harbored in the heart may hinder a person from even acknowledging the other party's rights of. For this reason Allah draws special attention to this pitfall and warns believers against it:
You who believe! Show integrity for the sake of Allah, bearing witness with justice. Do not let hatred for a people incite you into not being just. Be just. That is closer to heedfulness. Have fear of Allah. Allah is aware of what you do. (Surat al- Ma‘ida; 8)
In compliance with the verse, Muslims never commit injustice to any individual or society because of kinship, resentment or personal interests. No matter what someone's belief, ideology or philosophy may be, or how hostile his attitude to Muslims, a true believer always treats him with justice. He is not moved by emotion toward unfair decisions, and even when contrary to his own interests, he does not conceal or distort the truth.
SPREADING GOOD TIDINGS OF PARADISE
We have sent you with the truth bringing good news and giving warning. There is no community to which a warner has not come. (Surah Fatir; 24)
Along with warnings, Muslims also are responsible for giving good news. The Qur'an was revealed both as a warning and bringer of good tidings. In it, Allah gives the encouragement of Paradise for people of moral excellence. Provided they are patient, sincere, just and modest, Allah promises practicing Muslims many rewards in the Hereafter. Paradise is so glorious in terms of its artistry, richness and magnificence that nothing in this world can be compared to it. Everything created therein is of unprecedented beauty. The joy, happiness and relief that people in Paradise will experience is also unparalleled. In the Qur'an, Allah gives detailed accounts of Paradise that are a source of great enthusiasm for Muslims. Contemplating Paradise motivates Muslims and encourages them to make serious efforts to attain it. Knowing that Allah generously rewards every bit of good done for His cause, the Muslim feels more devoted to Him.
Allah also presents rewards to Muslims in this world; relief of heart, victory over unbelievers, inheritance of abundant wealth, and a good life are among those mentioned in the Qur'an. Each is a further incentive and source of joy for Muslims.
It is an act of worship for Muslims to pass on this good news. Thus, Allah referred to prophets as those who "give good news" as well as "warnings." Tidings about the improvement of the Muslims in the material or spiritual sense, their successes, Allah's help and protection of them, and their victories strengthen the morale of believers, while discouraging and terrifying their enemies.
REMEMBERING ALLAH'S WILL WHILE SPEAKING ABOUT THE FUTURE
Allah created man as a being bound by time and space, while He is unbounded by them and encompasses them since it is He Who created them. By his very nature, man is confined to time and space, but Allah sees time and space both from within and without and holds them under His control.
This means that Allah sees and knows the beginning, end and duration of everyone's lifespan simultaneously. For Allah, there is no lapse of time between the beginning of the universe and the Day of Judgment; yet, man perceives this as an infinitely long period. But just as we can see the beginning and end of a yardstick, Allah can see the beginning and end of the universe all at once.
Thus, the past, present and future are all part of a destiny that Allah predetermined. Allah has revealed this to us in the Qur'an through the concept of fate. Man can never escape his destiny. In brief, the future of man can be shaped only in the way Allah predetermines it. Therefore, Allah instructs people not to be certain when talking about the future, for no matter what a person may expect to experience, nothing happens except what Allah wills. Muslims have faith in the fact that only what Allah wills will occur, so believers never speak with certainty about the future, even about the next moment. Instead, they say, "In-sha-Allah," which means, "If Allah wills."
Never say about anything, ‘I am doing that tomorrow,' without adding ‘If Allah wills.' (Surat al-Kahf; 23-24)
NOT PURSUING WHAT ONESELF HAS NO KNOWLEDGE OF
People must achieve certainty based on their conscience about any thought or belief they live by, advocate and spread. To follow any ideology, person or cause about which one is not knowledgeable is forbidden in the Qur'an. Moreover, Allah states that on the Day of Resurrection, men will be held accountable for whatever they believe is true and propagate with their eyes, ears and hearts:
Do not pursue what you have no knowledge of. Hearing, sight and hearts will all be questioned. (Surat al-Isra'; 36)
The only thought system of whose authenticity man can ever be certain is the one that Allah explained in detail in the Qur'an. And so, Muslims reject any belief which is not compatible with it and their conscience. In order for a Muslim to support an individual or an idea, it is necessary for that idea to be ratified in the Qur'an and the individual to act within the boundaries of Qur'anic morality.
Moreover, a believer speaks with meticulous care while explaining, promoting or communicating any scientific, social or religious subject. He engages in no commercial or social partnership that does not conform to Islamic morality. Any idea bereft of sound grounds cannot earn a believer's support. Therefore, the accuracy of his every statement or suggestion will be obvious to everyone.
NOT YEARNING FOR UNBELIEVERS' WEALTH AND WAY OF LIVING
Do not direct your eyes longingly to what We have given certain of them to enjoy. Do not feel sad concerning them. And take the believers under your wing. (Surat al-Hijr; 88)
Allah makes clear in the Qur'an that He may grant wealth to both non-believers and believers. However, the reasons are not the same.
Wealth given to believers is a manifestation of Allah's promise to them of a good life in this world due to their moral excellence. Allah has revealed that he will make Muslims His heirs to the wealth of the world. When we look at the life of the prophets, we see that nearly all of them have undergone a common development. Even though they were poor in the first part of their lives, this development later brought them great wealth.
But for those Allah grants abundant wealth while they are enemies to Him and His religion, it serves a different purpose:
Do not let their wealth and their children impress you. Allah merely wants to punish them by them in this world, and for them to expire while they are unbelievers. (Surat at-Tawba; 85)
Money, property, ornaments, opulent furnishings, clothes or other material means are only trials for those who deny the existence of Allah and insist on disbelief. These favors serve to reveal the extent of their ungratefulness and denial of Allah.
In His wisdom, Allah may punish people in various ways. An unbeliever may be afflicted with forms of punishment of which he is unaware; such as an affliction that seizes his heart. A situation deemed advantageous may well turn out to be a disappointment for him in the Hereafter.
For this reason, yearning for anything that has been granted to an unbeliever is not in compliance with Qur'anic principles. Muslim morality and piety must be nurtured. For this reason, Allah has commanded that the wealth of those who do not practice religious morality should not arouse any admiration within a believer. Nor should their way of life, their possessions or anything else.
