Classes on Theology

Sheikh Jaffer H. JafferMasumeen Islamic Centre

March 13th, 2012Week Six

Justice of God• We have now reached the second

fundamental principle in our Theology:– The Justice of Allah SWT – االهي عدل

• Resources for this section:– Divine Justice – Shahid Murtadha Mutahhari– Theological Instructions – Ayatullah

Muhammad Taqi Misbah Yazdi– Muhadharat fil Ilahiyat – Ayatullah Ja’far

Subhani

Justice of God• When we think of someone who:

– Does not transgress the rights of others

– Impartial in exercising his authority

• We think of this person as being ‘just’ and consider it to be a certain type of perfection!

• On the other hand, when we think of someone who:– Violates the rights of others

– Is biased in his authority

• We think of this person as being ‘unjust’ and consider it a defect!

Justice of God• Therefore, when we speak of justice and injustice

– We are speaking of ownership and priority

• Can this understanding of justice be applied to the relationship between the Creator and the Creation?– No, because He is the Absolute Owner:

ح�مد– �ه ال ملك و� ل �ه ال ل•To Him belongs all sovereignty and to Him belongs all praise (At-Taghabun

64:1)

�مر – ج�ع األ ر ه� ي �ي �ل رض� و� إ� م�او�ات� و� األ ب الس! !ه� غ�ي �ل و� ل

%ه ل ك•To Allah belongs the unseen of the heavens and earth; and to Him all matters

are returned (Hood 11:123)

Justice of God• The Qur’an explains what is Divine Justice:

– Divine Justice in its sociological sense is the purpose and goal of Prophethood

�ا م�ع�هم • ن ل �نز� �ات� و� أ /ن �ي ب �ال �ا ب �ن ل س �ا ر ن ل س� ر� �ق�د أ ل

ق�سط� �ال !اس ب �قوم� الن �ي ان� ل م�يز� �اب� و� ال �ت ك ال•Certainly We sent Our apostles with manifest proofs, and We sent down with them the Book

and the Balance, so that mankind may maintain justice; (al-Hadeed 57:25)

– Divine Justice in its philosophical sense is the purpose of the Day of Resurrection

�م • ظل �م�ة� ف�ال� ت ق�ي � ال �وم �ي ق�سط� ل م�و�از�ين� ال �ض�ع ال و� ن Dد�ل !ةD م/ن خ�ر ب ق�ال� ح� �ان� م�ث �ن ك ا و� إI ي �فسK ش� ن

�ين� ب �ا ح�اس� �ن �ف�ى ب �ه�ا و� ك �ا ب ن �ي ت� أ

•We shall set up the scales of justice on the Day of Resurrection, and no soul will be wronged in the least. Even if it be the weight of a mustard seed We shall produce it and We

suffice as reckoners (al-Anbiya 21:47)

Justice of God• The Qur’an explains what is Divine Justice:

– In many verses Allah SWT has been exonerated from all kinds of injustice and oppression:

• هم �نفس� أ وا �ن �ك�ن كا �م�هم و� ل �ظل �ي !ه ل �ان� الل ف�م�ا ك�مون� �ظل ي

•So it was not Allah who wronged them, but it was they who used to wrong themselves (at-Taubah 9:70)

– In some verses it has explicitly affirmed His justice:

• وا ول �ة و� أ �ئك م�ل �ال! هو� و� ال ه� إ �ال� !ه ال� إ ن

� !ه أ ه�د� الل ش�ق�سط� �ال � ق�ائم�ا ب م ع�ل ال

•Allah bears witness that there is no god except Him and] so do [the angels and those who possess knowledge maintainer of justice (Ale Imran 3:18)

Justice of God• Theologians have been divided in their

understanding of this Divine Justice:– The Ash’arites reached the conclusion that justice is

derived from the Divine act• Justice is what God does and whatever God does is just

– The Mu’taziliites and the Shi’a reached the conclusion that ‘justice’ is an actual and concrete reality in the phenomena of existence

• Since justice is essentially good and injustice is essentially evil

– God can never forgo an act that the intellect knows to be good

Justice of God• What do we mean by Justice?

– First: Balance• If we take a system into consideration which is

composed of various parts and elements– Certain conditions must be fulfilled for the desired effect

to be reached

» In other words, things must have a balance

• When we look at the world we live in, we find it is balanced and in equilibrium

ان�• م�يز� ف�ع�ه�ا و� و�ض�ع� ال م�اء� ر� و� الس!•He raised the sky and set up the balance (Ar-Rahman 55:7)

بالعدل قامت السماوات و االرض•• The heavens and the earth are maintained with justice.

Justice of God• Second: Equality and Non-discrimination:

– We sometimes call a person who is impartial and does not differentiate between people as just

• Justice therefore refers to ‘Equality’

– Equality can be understood in two ways:• First: To put aside all merits and everyone should be

looked at equally – This is in fact injustice and oppression

– “Oppression given out equally to everyone is justice”

• Second: Application of equality in cases of equal merit

Justice of God• Third: Rights – Giving to each thing its right

– Every holder of rights must be given his/her rights• Injustice then becomes transgressing, withholding or

oppressing– “Social Justice”

– This does not apply to God as He is the Absolute possessor of Rights

• Therefore, if God decides to dispose of something, He has total right to do so.

Justice of God• Fourth: Bestowal of Being on Merits

– Every existent has certain merits and rights for itself (ontologically)

• God, the absolute bestower of grace, gives to each thing its possible existence and perfection.

– Justice: “every existent acquiring the degree of existence and perfection that it merits and which is possible for it”

• If you have the capacity for it, He will give it to you

– This is how the Divine Justice is understood

Questions?