Definition:: Social Justice

Social Justice
(1) Definition:
According to Oxford dictionary:
The objective of creating a fair and equal society in which each individual matters, their rights are
recognized and protected, and decisions are made in ways that are fair and honest.
According to Human Rights Careers:
Social justice means that everyone’s human rights are respected and protected. Everyone has equal
opportunities. This doesn’t guarantee that society will be perfect and everyone will always be happy.
However, everyone will have a fighting chance at the life they want. They aren’t held back by things out
of their control like systemic obstacles or discrimination.
(2) Social Justice and Islam:
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 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 to his/her social status, beliefs, political associations or prosperity.
O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against
yourselves or parents and relatives. Whether one is rich or poor, Allah is more worthy of both. (An-Nisa)
(3) Social Justice in Quran:
The importance of justice is manifested in being one of God's 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 behavior of every Muslim. It covers every aspect in life and has to be
practiced with every person in the world, including rivals and enemies. In Quran Allah says:
“O you who believe, be upright for God, and be bearers of witness with justice!” [Al-Ma’idah]
“God commands justice and fair dealing…” [Al-Nahl]
“Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due and when you judge between people
to judge with justice. Excellent is that which Allah instructs you. Indeed, Allah is ever Hearing and Seeing.”
(An-Nisa)
(4) Social Justice in Sunnah of Holy Prophet PBUH:
We can find numerous instances from the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) life, when he maintained social justice
and never gave any consideration to class, status or wealth. For instance:
1. Once a Qurashite lady belonging to an influential family was nabbed for committing theft and the charge
was proved against her. As per the Islamic injunctions, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) ordered to amputate her
hand. Some important members of her clan came to the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and sought respite for her.
The Holy prophet did not like this and he said, “The people before you were destroyed because they used
to inflict the legal punishments on the poor and forgive the rich. By Him in Whose Hand my soul is, if
Fatima (the daughter of the Prophet) did that (i.e. stole), I would cut off her hand.”
2. He (PBUH) appointed Hazrat Zaid bin Haritha (RA), who was a former slave, as commander-in-chief of
the Muslim army in the Battle of Mu’tah.
3. Similarly, he (PBUH) assigned the important and prestigious task of calling people to prayers to Hazrat
Bilal (RA) who was a Negro salve.
4. On the occasion of Battle of Trench, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) personally took part in digging the trench
along with other Muslims.
(5) Social Justice in life of Khulafa-e-Rashideen:
The four Rightly-guided Caliphs (RA) also laid special emphasis on social justice. Following in footsteps of
the Holy Prophet (PBUH), they led simple lives and kept themselves answerable and accountable to the
general public. They established great standards of social justice.
1. The first Caliph, Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (RA), used to help his neighbours and other deserving people
in every possible way. He used to milk goats of a destitute woman before becoming the Caliph. When he
(RA) became Caliph, the woman got worried as to who would now milk her goats. When Hazrat Abu Bakr
(RA) came to know about that, he (RA) said to her, “By Allah, caliphate cannot stop me from performing
social services”.
2. The second Caliph Hazrat Umar-e-Farooq (RA) was the most powerful ruler of his time, but he lived in
a mud house, having no personal guards or servants. On the occasion of the conquest of Jerusalem (636
AD), when he (RA) was going there to receive keys of the city from the Patriarch, he (RA) was travelling
with his slave. They were having one camel on which each of them rode by turn. When they were entering
Jerusalem, it happened to be the slave’s turn to ride on the camel. Hazrat Umar (RA) entered Jerusalem
holding the rope of the camel on which was riding his slave.

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Social Justice

According to Oxford dictionary:

According to Human Rights Careers:

(2) Social Justice and Islam:

(3) Social Justice in Quran:

“God commands justice and fair dealing…” [Al-Nahl]

(4) Social Justice in Sunnah of Holy Prophet PBUH:

(5) Social Justice in life of Khulafa-e-Rashideen:

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