Juz 25: Fuṣṣilat 47 to Al-Jāthiyah
Section 5 of 20 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
5. Justice and Divine Decree
Divine justice stands as a cornerstone principle in the Quranic worldview. In Surah Ash-Shura, Allah (swt) elaborates on the implementation of justice and the establishment of divine decree in human affairs. This section addresses how believers should handle disagreements and recognize Allah's wisdom in His decisions.
In verse 15, Allah (swt) commands the Prophet (peace be upon him) to call people to the straight path while remaining steadfast:
فَلِذَلِكَ فَادْعُ وَاسْتَقِمْ كَمَا أُمِرْتَ وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَاءَهُمْ وَقُلْ آمَنْتُ بِمَا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ مِنْ كِتَابٍ وَأُمِرْتُ لِأَعْدِلَ بَيْنَكُمُ
“So, (O prophet,) towards this (faith) invite (people), and be steadfast as you are commanded, and do not follow their desires, and say, 'I believe in whatever book Allah has sent down. And I have been ordered to do justice among you.'”
The Prophet (peace be upon him) is instructed to declare his belief in all divine revelations and to administer justice among people. This establishes a fundamental principle - justice must prevail regardless of personal inclinations or societal pressures. The command to "be steadfast as you are commanded" emphasizes consistency in applying justice, while avoiding the influence of others' desires ensures impartiality.
Allah (swt) further clarifies the relationship between Him and His creation:
اللَّهُ رَبُّنَا وَرَبُّكُمْ لَنَا أَعْمَالُنَا وَلَكُمْ أَعْمَالُكُمْ لَا حُجَّةَ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمُ اللَّهُ يَجْمَعُ بَيْنَنَا وَإِلَيْهِ الْمَصِيرُ
“Allah is our Lord and your Lord. For us are our deeds, and for you, your deeds. There is no argumentation between us and you. Allah will bring us together, and to Him is the final return.”
This verse establishes a profound understanding of accountability - each person is responsible for their own actions. The statement that "there is no argumentation between us and you" indicates that endless debate about faith serves little purpose once the truth has been clearly presented. The ultimate judgment rests with Allah (swt), who will bring everyone together for final reckoning.
The surah also addresses those who attempt to dispute about Allah after people have accepted the truth:
وَالَّذِينَ يُحَاجُّونَ فِي اللَّهِ مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا اسْتُجِيبَ لَهُ حُجَّتُهُمْ دَاحِضَةٌ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ وَعَلَيْهِمْ غَضَبٌ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ
“Those who argue about Allah after He has been responded to, their argument is void in the sight of their Lord, and upon them is wrath, and for them is a severe punishment.”
This verse warns against obstinate arguments that arise after clear evidence has been provided. Such disputes are deemed futile and may incur divine displeasure. This further reinforces the concept that justice stems from accepting divine guidance rather than endless contentious debates.
Allah (swt) then connects justice with truth, emphasizing that He is the one who has revealed:
اللَّهُ الَّذِي أَنْزَلَ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ وَالْمِيزَانَ وَمَا يُدْرِيكَ لَعَلَّ السَّاعَةَ قَرِيبٌ
“Allah is the One who has sent down the Book with truth, and the Balance as well. And what can let you know? May be, the Hour is near.”
The "Balance" mentioned here refers to justice and equity. This revelation establishes that true justice comes from divine guidance, not merely human constructs. The reminder of the Hour being potentially near serves as motivation to implement justice with urgency, recognizing the temporal nature of worldly existence.
Through these verses, Allah (swt) makes it clear that justice is foundational to the Islamic worldview, requiring steadfastness, accountability, and acceptance of divine guidance. The ultimate arbiter of justice remains Allah (swt) Himself, who will bring all together for the final judgment.