Divine (allah’s) Judgment (hokm) Versus Human Judgment (hokm)

Ijtihad and Justice

Ijtihad (intellectual diligence) is the attempt to recognize and deduce the divine judgment in a matter or issue or case. So whoever doesIjtihad and has done so correctly by agreeing with the divine verdict, then he is fair and just and has achieved self-salvation. And whoever doesIjtihad and has reached an erroneous verdict which contradicts the divine verdict, he has done injustice and became misguided. Indeed, this is a grave responsibility which we must pay attention to.

Thus, if we have a doubt or hesitation during the process ofIjtihad , then we must pause and exert more effort inIjtihad by doing more consultation, thorough research and analysis. It is better a million times to postpone the establishment of justice than falling into the grave mistake of committing injustice and contradicting the divine verdict.

It is also from the ورع (God-fearing) and piety to pause when we experience a doubt or suspicion. The principle of acquitting in the presence of reasonable doubt and assuming innocence and avoiding injustice or preventing it, is one of the most important and main cornerstones of life and has the most priority. In the end, every criminal, oppressor, transgressor and unjust person will not escape the justice of Allah (SWT) in this life and the Hereafter, even if he escaped the human justice in this life, whether that oppressor is a judge, a plaintiff, or a defendant! As we know, the law dictates that committing injustice to an innocent person is much more grave and worst than exonerating a criminal.

We must observe this principle on the personal level with “good thinking” towards others. Some of the things we can observe is:

1-Finding a good excuse and explanation for others’ behavior, and exercising patience when experiencing harm from others

2- Abiding by good manners and righteous behavior even towards the one who wronged us

3- Forgiving and observing “كظم الغيظ” (controlling your anger), and clemency

4- Refraining from spying or following the personal lives of others

5- Avoiding backbiting and tale-bearing

6- Being honest, humble, speaking the truth even if it is bitter, and testifying truthfully, not to ever commit perjury or issue a verdict without knowledge

7- Abiding by Allah’s commands and the Sunnah of the Prophet (SA) and the Infallible Imams from the purified AhlulBayt (AS).