A Nation without Justice is a ship without Rudder.

By: Safeer Khan

Justice is the bedrock upon which the foundations of a prosperous society are laid, without which it is bound to disintegrate. When the courts become dysfunctional and hostage to an “outside force,” the cancer of injustice rapidly spreads in the body politic of such a society rendering it ineffectual. The rule of law becomes the first casualty and an atmosphere of “free for all” quickly takes hold ushering in a chaotic environment degenerating into Jungle Law where “might is right” reigns supreme. The days of such a society are always numbered. When injustices are unleashed indiscriminately at the highest level which wreaks havoc with the judicial structure of a society, it either triggers a set of violent events from within or invite a bloody revolution from without and in either case such a society does not last long and ceases to exist forever.  The ultimate destruction and dismemberment of such societies is a foregone conclusion and history bears ample testimony to that injunction. Let us examine what Quran has to say about such societies. “And never think that Allah is unaware of what the “unjust” do. He only delays them for a Day when eyes will stare in horror.” (Al Quran 14:42). “O you who believe, stand firm for justice even against yourselves.” (Al Quran 4:135). “Indeed, Allah does not do injustice even as much as an atom’s weight.” (Al Quran 4:40). “Do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just.” (Al Quran 5:8). The Messenger of Allah once got up amongst his companions and delivered a short sermon and I quote, “People before you were destroyed who would let the noble among them steal and go free, but would punish the poor or the weak for the same crime. By God if Fatima, my daughter, stole, I would cut her hand off,” unquote.  The second Caliph of Islam, Hazrat Umar bin Khattab is credited for putting the Islamic Justice system in it’s paces by setting some outstanding personal examples. Once when the spoils of war were being distributed and each individual received a certain measure of cloth enough to make a tunic, he was intercepted by a beduin  who wanted to know how he managed to have a tunic made for himself in that allocation as he was a tall man and that measure of cloth was inadequate for a man of his built. The Caliph asked his son to stand up and answer the beduin, who explained that he had donated his share to his father after which the beduin was satisfied. On another occasion as he entered a court of law, the judge rose from his seat to pay respects to the Ameerul Momeneen. Guess what. Hazrat Umar exited the court immediately and ordered the replacement of that judge, as he would not be able to deliver justice if he treated him in any different manner than a common man. Hazrat Ali the fourth Caliph of Islam enjoyed a reputation of being extremely knowledgeable. His business partner, a Meccan Jew, took him to the court to settle a business dispute. Lo and behold, the verdict was delivered against the sitting Caliph and Hazrat Ali ended up paying the Jew reparations. Such outstanding examples of Justice are unheard of in the annals of human history.  Just to quote a few, let us see what different world leaders had to say about justice. “We need leaders not in love with money but in love with justice.” Martin Luther King, American Civil Rights leader of the 60’s. On another occasion he said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” MLK. “He who commits injustice is made ever more wretched than who suffers it.” Plato. “It is certain that ignorance allied with absolute power, is the most ferocious enemy justice can have.” James Baldwin, Black American writer and essayist of the 60’s. “If our social justice is guided by retribution, we shall simply perpetuate the use and abuse of power to inflict violence and suffering on others.” Jamie  Arpin Ricci, American Author of religious & community issues known for upholding justice. “If you want to eradicate poverty, introduce justice.” Brian Stevenson, American Social Justice Activist, Lawyer and Law Professor. During the height of Battle of Britain when hundreds of Luftwaffe bombers raided  London everyday, Winston Churchill was asked to comment on the wholesale destruction of London by the German aerial bombing. Churchill counter questioned the journalist asking if justice was being delivered in the courts. Implying that everything will be fine if justice was served to people in the courts of law. A cursory glance on the world stage is enough to find out that the United Nations and the International Court of Justice in the Hague have not been doing what was expected of them and the Palesinian and the Kashmiri people continue to suffer at the hands of Israeli and Indian Armies and while hundreds of thousands of them have lost their lives in their struggle for freedom, the conscience of the World Community sleeps soundly and justice seems like a pipe dream to these two tormented nationalities. This is sad, while the Palestinian and Kashmiri women, children and elderly continue to pay with their lives, the United Nations and  the International Court of Justice stand on the sidelines like helpless onlookers while a genocide of gargantuan proportions continue unabated.  The powers that be better serve the cause of justice and mitigate human suffering before Divine intervention descends with devastating consequences for all. May the poor, weak and the marginalized communities be served with Justice without any further delay. Amen. It is said and I quote, “Justice delayed is justice denied.”