To really understand the significance of justice in a society we must study the effects of injustice on a person, family, community and society at large.
When a person is treated unjustly he/she feels hurt, sad, angry and resentment sets in, they lose trust in the person or group that treated them unjustly. Suppose he takes the complaint to another person or group and his/her case is treated unfairly they also lose trust in the community. Such a person then reacts by withdrawing and isolating, they stop caring for other's interests in the same way as was done to them.
Depending on the magnitude of the injustice done to them people generally respond in one of three ways... a few are able to let go and continue without letting such an incident affect them, some withdraw and stop getting involved, and some become bitter, angry and resentful, and start treating others with the same callousness that was dealt to them.
Hence, injustice breeds bitterness, hatred, anger and resentment, selfishness and isolation... and a desire for revenge.
Injustice is the breeding ground for moral corruption. Injustice corrodes the fabric of a family and society. Just like fabric is made of interwoven threads, a family and society is interwoven by the connection of its members to each other. If a thread is weak the fabric will start tearing and fall apart. In the same way a family or society needs to be able to rely on every member to be strong... if a member is abusive or unjust the foundation of trust is broken and the unit starts falling apart.
Islamic teachings about justice are quite clear... it is absolutely and totally unacceptable. Most of our problems come from being unjust to each other, usurping other's rights, denying them what is rightfully theirs and forcing ourselves on them; at the personal, social and global level.
Sûrah an Nisa' 4.135
"O ye who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor: for Allah can best protect both. Follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest ye swerve, and if ye distort (justice) or decline to do justice, verily Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do."
Sûrah an Nisa' 4.58
"Behold, God bids you to deliver all that you have been entrusted with unto those who are entitled thereto, and whenever you judge between people, to judge with justice. Verily, most excellent is what God exhorts you to do: verily, God is all-hearing, all-seeing!"
Sûrah al Ma'idah 5: 8
"O you who have attained to faith! Be ever steadfast in your devotion to God, bearing witness to the truth in all equity; and never let hatred of anyone lead you into the sin of deviating from justice. Be just: this is the closest to being God-conscious."
How often are we really just and fair? Do we stand for what is right even if it means going against my own family members or friends? Or do we twist our thinking to make our loved one right just to avoid their anger? Is that not hypocrisy?
So what character traits do we need to be just and fair?
Honesty, courage and patience. Courage is needed to stand up for what is right because in many cases if you tell a family member they are wrong chances are they will get upset with you and you may have to patiently bear the consequences of another's anger and injustice.
We need patience and forbearance to find out the truth, not rush to judgment or make decisions when we don't have the full story... we need to hear both sides of the story and the background before reaching any conclusions. This also requires that we know our own emotional stance and values... if I want to believe that my family member is right then I will overlook the facts and twist my thinking to justify his/her actions? This would be injustice on my part. I can only avoid this if I am honest and stand for what is right, no matter who it may be, without being biased toward either party. This involves controlling our emotions and being objective.
We commit injustices when we don't control our selves, when we are biased and hasty, and when we are not honest.
© 2004 published on www.crescentlife.com