Living the Right Way
Upholding Justice
Religion calls upon people to do justice and seriously prohibits them from doing injustice.
Allah the Most High said: “Surely Allah enjoins the doing of justice and the doing of good (to others) and the giving to kindred, and He forbids indecency, evil and rebellion; He admonishes you that you may be mindful.”
He also said: “O you who believe, when you deal with each other in contracting a debt for a fixed time, then write it down; and let a scribe write it down between you with justice; ... but if he who owes the debt is unsound in understanding, or weak, or is not able to dictate himself, let his guardian dictate with justice.”
He also said: “Surely Allah commands you to make over trusts to their owners and that when you judge between people you judge with justice; surely Allah admonishes you with what is excellent; surely Allah is Seeing, Hearing.”
He also said: “O you who believe, be maintainers of justice, bearers of witness for Allah’s sake, though it may be against your own selves or (your) parents or near relatives; if he be rich or poor, Allah is nearer to them both in compassion; therefore do not follow (your) low desires, lest you deviate; and if you swerve or turn aside, then surely Allah is aware of what you do.”
He also said; “O you who believe, be upright for Allah, bearers of witness with justice, and let not hatred of a people incite you not to act equitably; act equitably, that is nearer to piety, and be careful of (your duty to) Allah; surely Allah is Aware of what you do.”
He also said: “And if two parties of the believers quarrel, make peace between them; but if one of them acts wrongfully towards the other, fight that one which acts wrongfully until it returns to Allah’s command; then if it returns, make peace between them with justice and act equitably; surely Allah loves those who act equitably.”
He also said: “And give full measure and weight with justice - We do not impose on any soul a duty except to the extent of its ability; and when you speak, then be just though it be (against) a relative.”
He also said: “And help one another in goodness and piety, and do not help one another in sin and aggression.”
He also said: “And whoever among you is unjust, We will make him taste a great chastisement.”
He also said: “And do not incline to those who are unjust, lest the fire touch you, and you have no guardians besides Allah, then you shall not be helped.”
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (S) said: “Indeed injustice is an evil which brings its punishment most quickly.”
He (S) also said: “The best of people is he who is helpful to people; and the worst of people is he who is harmful to people. Worse than him is he who is respected for fear of his evil.”
He (S) also said: “When a man walks with a wrongdoer to support him and he knows him to be so, he leaves faith.”
He (S) also said: “He who harms a believer will be harmed by Allah, and he who grieves him will be grieved by Allah.”
Imam ‘Ali (a.s.) the Commander of the Faithful said: “You must be enemies of the oppressors and defenders of the oppressed.”
He (a.s.) also said: “He who is unjust, his injustice will destroy him.”
He (a.s.) also said: “He who is unjust destroys himself.”
He (a.s.) also said: “He who wrongs Allah’s servants, Allah will be his enemy besides His servants; and he whose enemy is Allah, will be condemned and punished in this world and the world to come.”
He (a.s.) also said: “Keep far from injustice; for it is the greatest guilt and the gravest sin.”
He (a.s.) also said: “The injustice of man in this world makes his unfortunate fate of the Last Day.”
Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.) said: “The injustice of this world brings the darkness of the world to come.”
Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (a.s.) said: “He who wrongs people can not be counted as a Shi’ite (i.e. a follower of Imams).”