Islam Chapter 1
Specification Revision Guide
, 2.1 Justice
What is the nature of justice?
Justice is about treating people fairly according to certain laws.
- Laws are a set of rules used to maintain social order and ensure people are safe. In the UK, they
are upheld by law enforcement agencies, like the police, as well as by individuals claiming their
civil rights.
Laws should be just.
- If there was no justice, there would be unrest and disruption in society.
If anyone is charged with breaking the law, they will have a trial or hearing. The case is brought before a
magistrate, a judge and sometimes a jury who listen to the evidence before making an unbiased
judgement/decision.
Why is justice important for Muslims?
Justice is important in Islam. One of Allah’s characteristics is ‘Adl, meaning just. Muslims, therefore, try
to imitate Allah and be fair in their everyday lives. They are taught to oppose injustice, to support
anyone who is a victim of unjust treatment and to try and put things right. However, if they do this,
they cannot break the laws themselves.
SOWA: “Bear witness impartially” Qur’an
Meaning that no personal interests or prejudices are allowed to influence doing what is fair.
Islam commands people to be completely impartial, even if that means testifying against family, friends
or themselves.
SOWA: “Uphold justice and bear witness to God, even if it is against yourselves, your parents or
your close relatives” Qur’an.
A highly respected woman committed theft in a tribe called Makkah. A friend of Prophet Muhammad
asked him to overlook the crime so her family could be saved from the shame it would bring. Prophet
Muhammad said no which was revolutionary.
This shows the Prophet’s own commitment to justice and to teach people to give true evidence in all
cases.
Why do Muslims believe justice is important for the victims?
Justice shows that the law supports victims and that crimes are punished.
If the person committing the crimes was not punished or is given a light sentence, then it creates
negative feelings towards both the person and mistrust in the justice system. This is why Muslims
believe justice is important for victims: to show that there should be appropriate consequences for
harmful actions.
If there was no justice there would be unrest and disruption in society as people would not want to
comply with the law.
The Prophet Muhammad was prepared for his own children to be given the appropriate punishment if
they were found guilty of committing a crime. He was willing to cut off his daughter’s hand.
The Prophet Muhammad was renowned for his fairness and became a trusted mediator who peacefully
resolved disagreements between tribes.
Muslims extend the concept of justice to the distribution of wealth. For example, Islam forbids the
charging of interest on this like loans because it takes advantage of those who require financial help and
who are in need, leading to the rich getting richer and the poor poorer. This is seen as unjust.
Specification Revision Guide
, 2.1 Justice
What is the nature of justice?
Justice is about treating people fairly according to certain laws.
- Laws are a set of rules used to maintain social order and ensure people are safe. In the UK, they
are upheld by law enforcement agencies, like the police, as well as by individuals claiming their
civil rights.
Laws should be just.
- If there was no justice, there would be unrest and disruption in society.
If anyone is charged with breaking the law, they will have a trial or hearing. The case is brought before a
magistrate, a judge and sometimes a jury who listen to the evidence before making an unbiased
judgement/decision.
Why is justice important for Muslims?
Justice is important in Islam. One of Allah’s characteristics is ‘Adl, meaning just. Muslims, therefore, try
to imitate Allah and be fair in their everyday lives. They are taught to oppose injustice, to support
anyone who is a victim of unjust treatment and to try and put things right. However, if they do this,
they cannot break the laws themselves.
SOWA: “Bear witness impartially” Qur’an
Meaning that no personal interests or prejudices are allowed to influence doing what is fair.
Islam commands people to be completely impartial, even if that means testifying against family, friends
or themselves.
SOWA: “Uphold justice and bear witness to God, even if it is against yourselves, your parents or
your close relatives” Qur’an.
A highly respected woman committed theft in a tribe called Makkah. A friend of Prophet Muhammad
asked him to overlook the crime so her family could be saved from the shame it would bring. Prophet
Muhammad said no which was revolutionary.
This shows the Prophet’s own commitment to justice and to teach people to give true evidence in all
cases.
Why do Muslims believe justice is important for the victims?
Justice shows that the law supports victims and that crimes are punished.
If the person committing the crimes was not punished or is given a light sentence, then it creates
negative feelings towards both the person and mistrust in the justice system. This is why Muslims
believe justice is important for victims: to show that there should be appropriate consequences for
harmful actions.
If there was no justice there would be unrest and disruption in society as people would not want to
comply with the law.
The Prophet Muhammad was prepared for his own children to be given the appropriate punishment if
they were found guilty of committing a crime. He was willing to cut off his daughter’s hand.
The Prophet Muhammad was renowned for his fairness and became a trusted mediator who peacefully
resolved disagreements between tribes.
Muslims extend the concept of justice to the distribution of wealth. For example, Islam forbids the
charging of interest on this like loans because it takes advantage of those who require financial help and
who are in need, leading to the rich getting richer and the poor poorer. This is seen as unjust.
