Taken from the book American Muslim Agenda by Dr. Mike Ghouse

Chapter 16: Islamic Value No. 5

Justice

The word Justice is a synonym for the word Islam. However, some of the Muslim majority nations’ practices are contrary to the teachings of Islam, evidenced in the chapter fixing Sharia laws. Regardless of what Muslims practice, the central value of Islam remains Justice.

It is a composite value of balance in the environment, balance within our body, balance in our interactions with others and becoming a perfect cog in the wheel of life.

The United States, Canada, UK, and a few other democracies are thriving well because there is the rule of law. The Rich and poor, influential and unknown, woman or a man, child or a senior feel secure living their lives in these nations. That takes away the apprehensions and tensions and gives them the freedom to better their lives. In the process, they will contribute to the overall goodness of the society.

The people around the world were cheering for the American Justice system when they discovered that even the President of the United States could not do what he wanted to do, the various courts have rejected some of his Executive orders. No one is above the law is a mantra that every American can chant.

Both Judaism and Quran lay great emphasis on Justice, and many justice verses are misunderstood and are distorted by the those who want to insult Islam or those Muslims who have mangled it up. (Chapter: Two Islams)

The formula for Justice Verses

All the justice verses in the Quran have a formula based on the following seven steps and at a time five or three.

1. If the bad guys pull over their truck in front of your house, you tell them to back off.

2. If the bad guys keep coming at you, you ask them back off.

3. If the bad guys jump on you and want to throw you out of your own space, you act and chase them.

4. If the bad guys run and hide behind the bushes, you find them wherever they are.
the verse is, Kill the infidels wherever you find them.

5. Now, you can shoot the bad guys in self-defense to end the misery.

The above is a normal process with anyone in most of the States in the United States. Quran is no different but goes two steps further.

6. When you about smite them on their necks, and if they beg for mercy and seek forgiveness, the Quran advises you to take a back step.

7. Quran advises you to stop the aggressive reaction and forgive the criminal. The best one amongst you is the one who forgives. It prevents the revenge mechanism and frees you to live in peace.

Mis-represented verse

This is Robert Spencer’s favorite: Surah 9, verse 5, “When the sacred months are over, slay the idolaters wherever you find them. Arrest them, besiege them and lie in ambush everywhere for them.”

The Actual Verse

The explanations to the numbers in parenthesis follow:

9:5 And so, when the sacred months are over [6], slay those who ascribe divinity to aught beside God wherever you may come upon them, [7] and take them captive, and besiege them, and lie in wait for them at every conceivable place [8]! Yet if they repent, and seek to prayer, and render the purifying dues, let them go their way: for, behold, God is much-forgiving, a dispenser of grace. [9]

Let’s take two back steps;

9:3 (Asad) And a proclamation from God and His Apostle [is herewith made] unto all mankind on this day of the Greatest Pilgrimage: “God disavows all who ascribe divinity to aught beside Him, and [so does] His Apostle. Hence, if you repent, it shall be for your own good; and if you turn away, then know that you can never elude God!” And unto those who are bent on denying the truth give thou [O Prophet] the tiding of grievous chastisement

9:4 But excepted shall be [4 – the treaties they have concluded with the believers] -from among those who ascribe divinity to aught beside God. The [people] with whom you [O believers] have made a covenant and who after that have in no wise failed to fulfill their obligations towards you, and neither has aided anyone against you: observe, then, your covenant with them until the end of the term agreed with them. [5 – until their name] Verily, God loves those who are conscious of Him.

Two forward steps:

9:6 And if any of those who ascribe divinity to aught beside God seeks thy protection, [10 – aims to become thy neighbor”: a metaphorical expression denoting a demand for protection, based on the ancient Arabian custom (strongly affirmed by Islam) of honoring and protecting a neighbor to the best of one’s ability.] grant him protection, so that he might [be able to] hear the word of God [from thee]; and thereupon convey him to a place where he can feel secure: [11- “his place of security” -i.e., “let him rejoin his homeland”, which implies that he is free to accept or not to accept the message of the Qur’an: a further re-affirmation of the Quranic injunction that “there shall be no coercion in matters of faith” ] this, because they [may be] people who [sin only because they] do not know [the truth].

9:7 HOW COULD they who ascribe divinity to aught beside God be granted a covenant by God and His Apostle, (Reliable treaties) unless it is those [of them] with whom you [O believers] have made a contract in the vicinity of the Inviolable House of Worship? [13- The “covenant” alluded to is the truce-agreement concluded in 6 H. at Hudaybiyyah, in the region of Mecca, between the Prophet and the pagan Quraysh. The treaty was (and was obviously intended to remain) a model of the self-restraint and the tolerance expected of true believers about such of the unbelievers. They are not openly hostile to them] [As for the latter,] so long as they remain true to you, be true to them: for, verily, God loves those who are conscious of Him.

9:8 How [else could it be]? -since, if they [who are hostile to you] were to overcome you, they would not respect any tie [with you,] nor any obligation to protect [you]. [15 – The term ill signifies any relation that arises from a compact or from blood relationship, and which imposes on both parties the obligation to protect each other. The latter implication is expressed in the word dhimmah, which literally denotes a “covenant of protection”] They seek to please you with their mouths, the while their hearts remain averse [to you]; and most of them are iniquitous.

Note 6:

According to a pre-Islamic custom prevalent in Arabia, the months of Muharram, Rajab, Dhu ‘l-Qa’dah and Dhu ‘l-Hiijah were considered “sacred” in the sense that all tribal warfare had to cease during those months. It was intending to preserving these periods of truce and thus to promoting peace among the frequently warring tribes that the Qur’an did not revoke, but instead confirmed, this ancient custom. See also 2:194 and 217. (Quran Ref: 9:5)

Note 7: (Quran Ref: 9:5)

Read in conjunction with the two preceding verses, as well as with 2:190-194, the above verse relates to warfare already in progress with people who have become guilty of a breach of treaty obligations and of aggression. (Quran Ref: 9:5)

Note 8:

I.e., “do everything that may be necessary and advisable in denotes “any place from which it is possible to perceive the term marsad enemy and to observe the movements” (Manar X, 199). Warfare”. (Quran Ref: 9:5)

Note 9:

As I have pointed out on more than one occasion, every verse of the Qur’an must be read and interpreted against the background of the Qur’an as a whole. The above verse, which speaks of a possible conversion to Islam on the part of “those who ascribe divinity to aught beside God” with whom the believers are at war, must, therefore, be considered in conjunction with several fundamental Qur’anic ordinances. One of them, “There shall be no coercion in matters of faith” (2:256), lays down categorically that any attempt at a forcible conversion of unbelievers is prohibited – which precludes the possibility of the Muslims’ demanding or expecting that a defeated enemy should embrace Islam as the price of immunity.

Secondly, the Qur’an ordains, “Fight in God’s cause against those who wage war against you; but do not commit aggression, for, verily, God does not love aggressors” (2:190); and, “if they do not let you be, and do not offer you peace, and do not stay their hands, seize them and slay them whenever you come upon them: and it is against these that We have clearly empowered you [to make war]” (4:91).

Thus, war is permissible only in self-defense (see surah 2, notes 167 and 168), with the further proviso that “if they desist-behold, God is much-forgiving, a dispenser of grace” (2:192), and “if they desist, then all hostility shall cease” (2:193). Now the enemy’s conversion to Islam – expressed in the words, “if they repent, and take to prayer [lit., “establish prayer”] and render the purifying dues (zakat)”-is no more than one. By no means the only, way of their “desisting from hostility”; and the reference to it in verses 5 and 11 of this surah certainly does not imply an alternative of “conversion or death,” as some unfriendly critics of Islam choose to assume.

Verses 4 and 6 give further elucidation of the attitude which the believers are advised to adopt towards such of the unbelievers as are not hostile to them. (In this connection, see also 60:8-9). (Quran Ref: 9:5)

There are over a dozen such verses, and the same 7 or 5 steps formula applies.

Note: Please visit Muhammad Asad’s translation, or I will be happy to do a workshop on the Quran.

The Islamophobes are men and women who sell fear about Muslims. Even cause Muslims to doubt about their own faith.

My recommendation for you is to study three verses before the given sentence, and three after the given verse to get the full meaning, instead of a single line. I also recommend you to consider at least four different translations, as each translator is entitled to his interpretations. Two of the many translations are grossly mistranslated, and you will puke when you read them, there are about 60 verses that were recklessly mistranslated and misinterpreted for politics of hatred. Thank God, the Arabic version has always remained intact.

I gave a presentation at the Parliament of World’s Religions in Melbourne on scriptural reading and displayed the verses and their translations in English on the screen through a power point. The hall was packed, and finally, towards the end of the presentation, I displayed the mistranslated verse and its given translation in English – which said: “those who went astray like (the Christians) or earned the anger of Allah (the Jews).” Most people in the hall raised their hands when I asked them how many of them are familiar with this?

Then, I displayed the same verse in Arabic and requested from the audience members for someone who reads and understands Arabic but NOT a Muslim. The Bishop of Jerusalem raised his hand and said, I am a Christian and Arabic is my mother tongue. I asked him to read the verse, which he did. Then asked him to explain if the word Jew or Christian was in the Arabic text? He said no, and there were gasps! My friends, finding the truth is your responsibility, it frees you from misunderstandings. I have worked on 20 some verses and another forty to go. I will get that out in a year or so.

Hadith: Narrated by Abu Sa`id al-Khudri in the compendium of Imam Muslim.

“Whoever of you witnesses an evil action must then change it with his hand. If he is not able to do so, then [he must change it] with his tongue. And if he is not able to do so, then [he must change it] with his heart. And that is the slightest and weakest [effect of] faith.”

A few verses from the Quran about the value of Justice.

In Chapter 55, Sura Rahman verses 55:1 to 55:13 God says, I have created humans, given them the knowledge to manage their affairs, and have given the ability to dialogue to resolve their conflicts. Look at the universe, the planetary system is functioning precisely, the plants and trees are doing what they are programmed to do, and you have the responsibility to maintain that balance continually. Do not transgress, stick with what is right, think, don’t take shortcuts and do the right thing. This entire planet earth is spread out for you, every item on it is for your benefit.

The Universe is running smoothly, and in balance, whenever it gets screwed up, you have the responsibility to restore that balance – not for me, but for you to live freely in the pursuit of your happiness.

Quran 57:25, – Paraphrasing the verse, “Indeed, did I sent apostles with all evidence of truth; and through them, I bestowed revelation from on high, and gave you a balanced life with which to weigh right and wrong, so that humans can behave with equity.

We bestowed [upon you] from on high [the ability to make use of] iron, in which there is incredible power as well as [a source of] benefits for man (enabling man to discriminate between right and wrong, which is the innermost purpose of all divine revelation),

Quran 5:8, “O ye who believe! Stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety: and fear Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do.”

Quran16:90, “Behold, God enjoins justice, and the doing good deeds, and generosity towards [one’s] fellow-men; and He forbids all that is shameful and all that runs counter to reason, as well as envy; [and] He exhorts you [repeatedly] so that you might bear [all this] in mind.

Quran 2:182, “If one sees gross injustice or bias on the part of a testator, and takes corrective action to restore justice to the will, he does not sin. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.”

Quran 55:8, “You shall not transgress the law.”

Quran 55:9, “You shall establish justice; do not violate the law.”

Quran 4:135, “O you who believe, you shall be equitable, and observe GOD, when you serve as witnesses, even against yourselves, or your parents, or your relatives. Whether the accused is rich or poor, GOD takes care of both. Therefore, do not be biased by your wishes. If you deviate or disregard (this commandment), then GOD is fully Cognizant of everything you do.”

Quran 6:151, Say: “Come, let me convey unto you what God has [really] forbidden to you: “Do not ascribe divinity, in any way, to aught beside Him; and [do not offend against but, rather,] do good unto your parents; and do not kill your children for fear of poverty – [for] it is We who shall provide sustenance for you as well as for them (abortions); and do not commit any shameful deeds, be they open or secret; and do not take any human being’s life-[the life] which God has declared to be sacred -otherwise than in [the pursuit of] justice: this has He enjoined upon you so that you might use your reason (refers to the execution of a legal punishment or to killing in a just-that is, defensive-war, or to individual, legitimate self-defense)”;

Quran 6:152, “And do not touch the substance of an orphan – save to improve it-before he comes of age.” Moreover, [in all your dealings] give full measure and weight, with equity: [however,] We do not burden any human being with more than he is well able to bear; and when you voice an opinion, be, even though it be [against] one near of kin. Also, [always] observe your bond with God: Be just, this has He enjoined upon you so that you might keep it in mind.

Quran 2:182, “If one sees gross injustice or bias on the part of a testator, and takes corrective action to restore justice to the will, he does not sin. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.”

Quran 4:58, “BEHOLD, God bids you deliver all that you have been entrusted with unto those who are entitled to that, and whenever you judge between people, to judge with justice. Verily, most excellent is what God urges you to do: verily, God is all-hearing, all-seeing!”

Quran 4:2, “You shall hand over to the orphans their rightful properties. Do not substitute the bad for the good, and do not consume their properties by combining them with yours. This would be a gross injustice.”

Quran 17:33, “And do not take any human being’s life – which God has willed to be, sacred-otherwise than in [the pursuit of] justice. Hence, if anyone has been slain wrongfully, we have empowered the defender of his rights [to exact, just retribution]; (or forgive, as forgiving is the best option) but even so, let him not exceed the bounds of equity in [retributive] killing. [And as for him who has been slain wrongfully -] behold, he is indeed succored [by God] “

Quran 49:6, “O you who believe, if a wicked person brings any news to you, you shall first investigate, lest you commit injustice towards some people, out of ignorance, then become sorry and remorseful for what you have done.” Prophet Muhammad had suggested living a regret-free life.

Quran 5:32, If anyone kills a single human being without just because it shall be as though s/he had killed all of humankind; whereas if anyone saves a single life, it shall be as though s/he had saved the lives of all of humanity.

Quran 42:41, “Yet indeed, as for any who defend themselves after having been wronged – no blame whatever attaches to them.”

Quran 49:9, “ Hence, if two groups of believers fall to fighting, (discord and contention) make peace between them; but then, if one of the two [groups] goes on acting wrongfully towards the other, fight against the one that acts wrongfully until it reverts to God’s commandment; (that the believers should act as brethren) and if they revert, make peace between them with justice, and deal equitably [with them]: for verily, God loves those who act equitably (and not resort to brute force whenever your private interests are involved”. The expression “otherwise than in (the pursuit of) justice.”

Quran 25:68, “and who never invoke any [imaginary] deity side by side with God, and do not take any human beings’ life – [the experience] which God has willed to be sacred – otherwise than in [the pursuit of] justice, and do not commit adultery. And [know that] he who commits aught thereof shall [not only] meet with a full requital.”

Islamic Value – Justice

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