Justice for all

Justice for all

1996 7-8 July-August 6 Justice for all (54) Mu’awiyah asked Dharar Sadai to tell him about Ali. Amongst other things, Dharar told him that he lived among them just like anyone of them. “If a powerful man were in the wrong, he could not hope to sway ‘Ali, but if a weak person sought justice, he could certainly hope to have it.”

Predictable Character

(234:35)

1996 7-8 July-August 6 Predictable Character (258)

Who is the best human being? To Islam the best person is one who has a predictable character. Of whom one knows beforehand that he will be good to others in all his dealings and that he will always prove to be a man of truthfulness and integrity.

According to traditions the Prophet of Islam came before a gathering of the people, and addressed them in these words: ‘Should I not tell you who is good and who is bad, among you?’ On hearing this, the people kept quiet. The Prophet repeated this question thrice. Afterwards one of the audience spoke up: ‘O Messenger of God, tell us about who is good and who is bad among us.’ The Prophet said, ‘The good man among you is one from whom people expect good, and with whom they are safe from evil.

According to this hadith, the best person is one, who, in his dealings utters only gentle words. He benefits others, giving them the gift of happiness: A man of principle and character, he is always just.

This predictability of character is maintained even when he has cause for complaint; when he has been treated unjustly by others. Even in such unfavourable circumstances he adheres to the path of justice and fair play. He remains composed and responds with patience. People should be able to expect him to return good for evil, and never to deviate from the path of good moral behaviour in accordance with his principles. His character will always come up to the human expectations.