Islamic Legal System

SHA 1310Topic : Al – Maidah : 42

Al-Maidah : 42

Translation

• [They are] avid listeners to falsehood, devourers of [what is] unlawful. So if they come to you, [O Muhammad], judge between them or turn away from them. And if you turn away from them - never will they harm you at all. And if you judge, judge between them with justice. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.

Explanation (In the Shade of the Quran)

• The surah gives further details of how far they have sunk into moral corruption. Listening to falsehood has become an established habit of the people. They were pleased to hear the falsehood and annoyed to hear the voice of truth. God has given the Prophet the choice whether to judge between them or to turn away. If the chooses to turn away, they can harm him in no way but if he chooses to judge between them, the he must give a fair judgement.

Important Detail of the Verse

  بالقسط بينهم فاحكم حكمت وإن �المقسطين يحب ه الل إن

“But if you do judge, then judge between them with fairness.

God loves those who deal justly.”

Justice

• Definition Literally : Placing things in the right place where they belongIbn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah : Justice is the supreme goal and objective of Islam

• Upholding the principle of justice or ‘adl is another basic objective of Shari’ah (Maqasid al-Shariah)

• Muslims are urged to be just to others at all level

Related Surah on Justice

• Muslims should be just in their relation with everyone even with their enemy

Translation

• O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for Allah , witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness. And fear Allah ; indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do. (Al-Maidah:8)

Related Surah on Justice• Muslims must also establish justice with those who are not in the same faith

with them.

• Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes - from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly. (Al-Mumtaĥanah:8)

Conclusion

• Injustice in any spheres of life is unacceptable and contradicts with the teaching of al-Quran and the objectives of the Shar’iah.

• Fair judgement is not passed in order to please people but to please Allah

• Justice is the most effective guarantee provided by Islamic law everywhere and in all times.