The Islamic Concepts Of Justice And Mercy

The meanings of word Islam are peace and Islam is indeed the religion of peace.  Mercy and compassion hold the central position in Islamic faith.  In fact, compassion is the heart and soul of spirit of Islam and most important concept after basic Islamic beliefs of Tauheed (God is one), Risalat (Muhammad PBUH is the messenger of God) and belief on Angels, Revealed books and on Judgment day. Allah in Holy Quran stresses on many occasions on four things that are Rehmah, Ihsan, Adl and Hikmah meaning Compassion, benevolence, justice and wisdom respectively.

All actions of Muslims are directly connected with Allah and the All Mighty will reward or punish not only Muslims but entire humanity according to their deeds in this mortal world. So, Islamic concepts of compassion and forgiveness are for those people who think that there is no other world and they will not be accountable for their misdeeds in this evanescent universe.

As all the actions of Muslims are aimed at pleasing Allah, when a Muslim acts compassionately and mercifully to his Muslim Brothers Allah showers his blessings upon him as Allah says in Holy Quran,  “I am more merciful than my servant. I am the most merciful of the merciful”. Furthermore, Allah forgives the sins of that person and fills his life with happiness and joys. As mentioned above Allah orders Muslims to be benevolent and compassionate and they are the most loved actions to God. Muslims associate them to Allah and it is befitting to adopt the ways of life that Allah likes instead of ways of justice and mercy the material world has adopted.

Furthermore, God has made humans the best creation of all creation and just does not want us to behave like animals. Furthermore, He does not want humans to demand “Human Rights” just for the sake of this world. He wants people to earn Jannah the paradise through their actions and that’s why he wants entire humanity to embrace Islam because Islamic teachings and methods of justice takes to that destination. That’s why Allah wants us to follow Islamic directions of Tazkia (chastity) and justice alongside benevolence and wisdom. Allah says in Holy Quran, “He who purifies himself has succeeded” (Sura al-’Ala) and “Allah has no intention of oppressing the universe” (Surah Ale Imran).

That’s what distinguishes mankind from rest of the creations. In order to attain what Allah wants human beings to do, people face many difficulties. They have to identify what their weaknesses are and how can they overcome those shortcomings. Sometimes they have to abandon their loved ones and have to discard what they like the most. But the compensation for enduring these difficulties is enough to forget what people suffer. That is eternal and luxurious life where they will live forever.

Coming back to mercy and compassion, it is a fact that our lives revolve in a complete circle. We were sent to this world by Allah and after living our portion of life we will go back to where we came from. Therefore, this life is a sort of test to clear if we want to earn a direct ticket to heaven. Again Allah treasures the acts of justice and mercy more than anything else. As Allah says in Holy Quran, “For those who believe not in the Hereafter is an evil description, and for Allah is the highest description. And He is the Almighty, the All-wise.”  In addition, if Allah can sprinkle his mercies upon us, why we cannot do the same with our fellow human beings and get what Allah promises us to provide in return of these virtues acts.

Now it is the duty of mankind to recognize their Creator and worship Him and follow the principles proclaimed by Him in true spirit. According to a Hadith of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) “whoever does not show mercy, will not be shown mercy”. Therefore the mercy of Allah for people is conditional to their own actions. If someone is atrocious to others and does not forgive trivial mistakes, how can he expect Allah to forgive him and have mercy on him? If someone will tease the creation of God that is mankind, he should be prepared to burn in the fire of hell for eternity.

Islamic concepts of compassion and justice are very simple that is take mercy and have mercy. This very concept also elaborates the concept of justice in Islam that is if you inflict damage to anyone in the shape of life and property, only he can forgive you unlike modern systems of justice prevailing around the world. So, real preposition of mercy lies within us instead of Allah. “What! Can there be a doubt about Allah?” (Ibrahim 40:10).

Therefore, it is the moral duty of Muslims to establish a welfare society where everyone is answerable for his deeds. If we do not do so, then final verdict will come from Allah who is omnipotent and omnipresent and watching each and every thing happening in this world. His decision will be final because He is the only one capable of making right and just decisions.

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