A JEWISH-CHRISTIAN- MUSLIM DIALOGUE

JUSTICE IN JUDAISM, CHRISTIANITY, ISLAM

ARNOLD BENNETTAward-winning Filmmaker of The Newfoundland Passion and Messiah from

Montreal

Rev. PHILLIP LEWISRetired Roman Catholic Priest, Community Chaplain and Catholic Chaplain

in St. John's

Dr. MAHMOUD HADDARAPresident, Muslim Association of Newfoundland & Labrador. Professor of

Engineering, Memorial University

Justice in Islam

Mahmoud HaddaraFebruary 2007

What is Justice

Justice is the ideal, morally correct state of things and persons, whatever that contested ideal may turn out to mean (Wikipedia)

Justice is a concept involving the fair, moral, and impartial treatment of all persons, especially in law

What is Justice

Justice is the condition in which every person and every part of a whole (e.g. every part of the soul of a person, or every citizen or group in the state) performs its proper function and receives its proper reward. (John Howard Sobel)

Definitions

Islam = Submission Salam = Peace Allah = God

Islam Doctrine

The set of beliefs

Law (shariah) The systems that organize the

relationships between Muslims, their Lord, their community, fellow human beings, the environment, and all creation

Justice follows from the purpose of creation

“We have indeed offered the Trust to the heavens, to the earth, and to the mountains, but they refused to undertake it and were afraid, but man undertook it.”(33:72)

Human trust

Justice is an objective of the Divine messages

“Indeed, we sent our messengers with clear signs, and sent down with them The Book and The Scales of Justice that people may establish justice”(57:25)

Justice follows from faith

“I have decreed that injustice is unlawful”

“Say, my Lord has commanded justice” (7:29)

“Certainly God commands justice”(16:90)

The Just, the Equitable

Justice follows from equality

“O’ People, We have created you from a single pair (a male and a female), and We have made you nations and tribes so that you get to know each other, the best of you is the one that is most conscious of God” (49: 13)

Comprehensiveness of Justice

Justice in dealing with God Justice in dealing with oneself Justice in court Justice in testimony Justice with enemies Social justice Justice between nations

Areas of Applying Justice

Personal Social Legal Justice between nations

Personal Justice

“One who transgresses the limits set by God has committed injustice against oneself”(65:3)

“When you speak be just even if the subject is of your kin”(6:152)

Social Justice

Ownership of wealth “and to Him belongs the

dominion of heavens and earth and what is in between” (5:17)

Trusteeship over wealth “and spend of that which He had

made you trustees over” (57:7)

Distribution of wealth

“So that it would not be an exclusive property of the those who are wealthy among you” (59:7)

Zakat (poor dues) Inheritance laws

Legal judgments must uphold justice

“God commands you to return trusts to their rightful owners, and when you judge between people, judge with fairness” (4:58)

Witnesses must bear testimony for justice“O’ you who believe, stand firm for justice

and bear witness for the sake of God, even though it be against yourselves, your parents, or your relatives. It does not matter whether the party is rich or poor” (4:135)

“O you who believe, Be steadfast for the sake of God and bear true witness and let not the enmity of a people incite you not do justice. Be just, this is nearer to righteousness.”(5:8)

Justice must be observed in legal transactions

“O believers! When you deal with each other in lending for a fixed period of time, put it in writing. Let the scribe write it down with justice between the parties.” (2:282)

Justice between nations

Peace Treaties Just war Justice in dealing with captives

Justice and Righteousness

Righteousness is an ideal Justice is an integral part of

Righteousness“be just, this is nearer to

Righteousness” (5:8)