Justice in the Quran is part of how creation is built, and every person is commanded to live by it. "He constructed the sky and established the law. You shall not transgress the law. You shall establish justice; do not violate the law" (55:7-9). The same balance that holds the heavens is to hold human dealings. God sent His messengers "the scripture and the law, that the people may uphold justice" (57:25). So the purpose of revelation includes justice on earth. Justice is not a custom a society can vote in or out. It is a standard set from above that every human law is measured against.
The Quran first presents justice as part of who God is. God testifies that "Truthfully and equitably, He is the absolute god" (3:18). He "does not inflict an atom's weight of injustice," and instead multiplies the reward for good works (4:40). On the Day of Resurrection He will "establish the scales of justice," and "No soul will suffer the least injustice. Even the equivalent of a mustard seed will be accounted for" (21:47). Believers can rest on this. No wrong escapes Him, so they do not have to settle every account themselves.
For people, the Quran makes justice concrete. It covers judging: "If you judge among the people, you shall judge equitably" (4:58). It covers giving back what you were trusted with (4:58), and protecting orphans' money (6:152). It covers trade, which is why the messenger Shu'aib told his people to "give full measure and full weight, equitably. Do not cheat the people out of their rights" (11:85). It also condemns those who demand full measure for themselves and cheat when giving to others (83:2-3). Most demanding of all is honest testimony: "be absolutely equitable... even against yourselves, or your parents, or your relatives. Whether the accused is rich or poor... do not be biased by your personal wishes" (4:135). Hostility is no excuse either: "Do not be provoked by your conflicts with some people into committing injustice" (5:8). Justice also reaches people of other faiths who do not fight you, since "GOD loves the equitable" (60:8). Read together, these verses close every door that self-interest, family loyalty, wealth or hatred might open toward unfairness.
Justice is the minimum, not the highest goal. "GOD advocates justice, charity, and regarding the relatives" (16:90). Charity here means doing good beyond what is owed. When someone wrongs you, the Quran allows a fair response: "the just requital for an injustice is an equivalent retribution," and standing up for your rights "when injustice befalls them" is no error (42:39-41). Yet "those who pardon and maintain righteousness are rewarded by GOD" (42:40), and "Resorting to patience and forgiveness reflects a true strength of character" (42:43). Even under the law of equal retribution, giving up what is owed to you "as a charity" atones for your sins (5:45). The Quran adds that such patience "is attainable only with GOD's help" (16:127). From this the Quran Talk blog draws a fair conclusion: you may pardon wrongs done to yourself, but you have no authority to forgive, on someone else's behalf, harm done to them.
So the Quran asks the reader for two things. First, never fall below justice: weigh fairly, judge fairly, testify truthfully against yourself and your own, and treat even enemies fairly. Second, rise above it where you can, by forgiving what is yours to forgive. Every one of these commands ends by pointing back to God, who "is fully Cognizant of everything you do" (4:135, 5:8). That suggests justice in the Quran is finally a form of reverence: you deal fairly with people because you know you will stand before God's scales.
Verses
SubmissionAI can make mistakes. Check the sources.
O you who believe, you shall be absolutely equitable, and observe GOD, when you serve as witnesses, even against yourselves, or your parents, or your relatives. Whether the accused is rich or poor, GOD takes care of both. Therefore, do not be biased by your personal wishes. If you deviate or disregard (this commandment), then GOD is fully Cognizant of everything you do.
O you who believe, you shall be absolutely equitable, and observe GOD, when you serve as witnesses. Do not be provoked by your conflicts with some people into committing injustice. You shall be absolutely equitable, for it is more righteous. You shall observe GOD. GOD is fully Cognizant of everything you do.
This is what you shall preach, and steadfastly maintain what you are commanded to do, and do not follow their wishes. And proclaim: "I believe in all the scriptures sent down by GOD. I was commanded to judge among you equitably. GOD is our Lord and your Lord. We have our deeds and you have your deeds. There is no argument between us and you. GOD will gather us all together; to Him is the ultimate destiny."
If two groups of believers fought with each other, you shall reconcile them. If one group aggresses against the other, you shall fight the aggressing group until they submit to GOD's command. Once they submit, you shall reconcile the two groups equitably. You shall maintain justice; GOD loves those who are just.
