Introduction

Islam has emphasized on numerous principles that organize relationships among members of the society. One of the most important principles is social justice with all the important values that it involves like peace, love, brotherhood, and prosperity. Justice in Islam is not only practiced on Muslims. Rather, it is practiced on every human being regardless of his or her beliefs or religion.

The Meaning of Justice

Justice as a concept refers to equality in giving rights and in abiding by obligations without discriminations for any reason, either for religion, race, colour, creed, etc…

Justice As Manifested in Quran

The importance of justice is manifested in being one of Allah’s great names in Islam. It is considered among the most important values underlined by the Quran and repeated in a number of its verses. God has required justice to be a necessary part of the behaviour of every Muslim.

It covers every aspect in life and has to be practiced with every person in the world, including rivals and enemies.

As Allah Himself said,

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَن تُؤَدُّوا۟ ٱلْأَمَـٰنَـٰتِ إِلَىٰٓ أَهْلِهَا وَإِذَا حَكَمْتُم بَيْنَ ٱلنَّاسِ أَن تَحْكُمُوا۟ بِٱلْعَدْلِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ نِعِمَّا يَعِظُكُم بِهِۦٓ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ سَمِيعًۢا بَصِيرًا

Allah commands you to give back the trusts to their rightful owners, and when you judge between people, judge with fairness. Surely, excellent is the counsel which Allah gives you. Allah is He who hears and observes all. [An Nisaa 4: 58]

He also said,

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُونُوا۟ قَوَّٰمِينَ لِلَّهِ شُهَدَآءَ بِٱلْقِسْطِ ۖ وَلَا يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَـَٔانُ قَوْمٍ عَلَىٰٓ أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا۟ ۚ ٱعْدِلُوا۟ هُوَ أَقْرَبُ لِلتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ خَبِيرٌۢ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ

O believers! Be steadfast for the sake of Allah and bear true witness and let not the enmity of a people incite you to do injustice; do justice; that is nearer to piety. Fear Allah, surely Allah is fully aware of all your actions. [Al Maida 5: 8]

The definition of social justice:

Social justice means giving each individual what he/she deserves, the distribution of financial benefits in the society, providing equally for basic needs. It is also the egalitarianism (the doctrine that all people are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities) in opportunities, i.e. each person has a chance to climb up the social ladder.