Aashura 2026: Standing for Truth, Justice and Compassion in Challenging Times

Justice Without Vigilantism

As we continue reflecting on the lessons of Ashura, another important theme emerges for South Africa today: Justice Without Vigilantism.

Ashura reminds us of the story of Nabi Musa (AS) and the Children of Israel. It is a day on which Muslims remember how Allah delivered an oppressed people from the tyranny of Fir’awn. The lesson is not only that oppression is wrong, but also that true justice ultimately comes through truth, patience, wisdom and reliance upon Allah.

This message is particularly relevant in our country today.

Many South Africans are frustrated. Communities are struggling with unemployment, crime, poverty, corruption and a lack of opportunities. People often feel that their concerns are not being heard and that justice is moving too slowly. These frustrations are understandable.

However, Ashura encourages us to ask an important question:

What is the difference between pursuing justice and taking the law into our own hands?

Justice is one of the highest values in Islam. The Qur’an repeatedly commands believers to be fair, honest and just. But justice is not the same as revenge. Justice seeks truth. Justice protects the innocent. Justice ensures fairness. Justice aims to restore order and peace.

Vigilantism, on the other hand, occurs when individuals or groups decide to become investigators, judges and punishers at the same time. While it may arise from frustration, it often leads to further injustice.

Throughout history, innocent people have been harmed because of rumours, assumptions and mob mentality. When emotions become stronger than facts, justice suffers.

This is a challenge that South Africa faces today.

Whether the issue is crime, illegal activity, or tensions surrounding migration, there is often pressure on communities to “take action” themselves. Yet experience has shown that when crowds act out of anger rather than wisdom, innocent people can become victims. Families are harmed, businesses are destroyed and communities become even more divided.

Ashura teaches us that standing against wrongdoing does not mean abandoning principles.

Consider the story of Musa (AS). When he faced the oppression of Fir’awn, he did not respond with lawlessness or blind revenge. He remained committed to truth, patience and obedience to Allah. Ultimately, it was Allah who granted victory to the oppressed and exposed the falsehood of the oppressor. The lesson is that justice must be rooted in principle, not emotion.

For South Africans, this means that while we should demand accountability, we must also reject vigilantism.

We should support efforts to fight crime, but we should not support mob justice.

We should want secure borders and effective immigration policies, but we should not support attacks on innocent people.

We should oppose corruption, but we should not allow anger to justify unlawful behaviour.

Wrongdoing cannot be corrected by committing further wrongdoing.

The South African principle of Ubuntu reinforces this message. Ubuntu teaches us that our humanity is connected to the humanity of others. A society built on fear and revenge becomes weaker. A society built on justice and respect becomes stronger.

The challenge before us is therefore not simply to identify what is wrong in our communities. The challenge is to respond in the right way.

Ashura reminds us that truth is stronger than falsehood, that justice is stronger than oppression, and that patience and wisdom are often more powerful than anger.

As we commemorate this sacred day, let us ask ourselves:

When we see injustice, are we helping to build a culture of justice, or are we allowing frustration to create new injustices?

The lesson of Ashura is clear. We must stand for justice. But we must do so with fairness, wisdom and compassion. Only then can we build communities that are safer, stronger and more united for future generations.