Islam’s holiest book, the Quran, is regarded as being the actual words of God. It is filled with knowledge regarding Islamic morals and principles, such as the idea of social justice. Understanding Islam’s contribution to fostering fairness and equality in society requires an understanding of the Quran’s teachings on social justice.
What is Social Justice?
The concept of advancing fairness and equality in society is referred to as social justice. It entails dealing with the structural disparities that exist in society and making sure that everyone has access to opportunities and resources on an equitable basis. Many religions place a strong emphasis on social justice, which is also a major issue in the Quran.
The Quranic Teachings on Social Justice
In order to ensure fairness and equality in society, the Quran teaches a number of moral precepts and stresses the significance of social justice. These guidelines consist of:
Equality: The Quran asserts that regardless of one’s race, ethnicity, or social standing, all people are created equal in the eyes of God. Numerous teachings on social justice in the Quran illustrate this equality principle.
Charity: Giving to the needy and to the impoverished is encouraged by the Quran for Muslims. The idea of zakat, a type of obligatory charity that obligates Muslims to donate a portion of their money to those in need, reflects this.
Justice: Muslims are urged by the Quran to stand up for what is right, even if it means going against their own interests, and the Quran underlines the significance of justice. Numerous Quranic teachings on social justice, such as the obligation to treat others fairly and to speak out against injustice, are reflective of this notion.
Compassion: Muslims should be charitable and compassionate toward others, especially the less fortunate, according to the Quran. This is mirrored in many of the teachings of the Quran on social justice, which place a strong emphasis on taking care of the weak and underprivileged people in society.
The Quran and Social Justice Today:
The social justice lessons included in the Quran are still applicable today and have had a significant impact on the development of Islamic ethics and values. Around the world, a large number of Muslims are actively promoting social justice and addressing the structural injustices that present in society.
The Islamic idea of waqf, which entails donating land or other property for charity purposes, serves as an illustration of this. Schools, hospitals, and other social welfare institutions that serve the larger community have been founded using this idea. Waqf is a potent tool for advancing social justice and making sure that resources are allocated fairly.
Islamic Relief Worldwide, which offers aid to people in need all across the world, is another illustration of Islamic social justice in action. Islamic Relief aims to address issues including poverty, starvation, and conflict and has been instrumental in helping people affected by natural catastrophes like the earthquake in Pakistan and the Syrian refugee crisis.
The Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Inclination to Equality:
The Prophet (PBUH) was born into a relatively privileged household, yet Allah guarded him against losing himself in his privilege and guided the course of his childhood so that he developed into a thoughtful, socially conscious individual. When the Ka’bah needed to be rebuilt after being damaged by water, Muhammad was still a young man. He was the best candidate to find a fair solution to the dilemma of who would have the honor of placing the Black Stone into its position because of his own sense of equality and fairness.
But it appears that he came to the realization that justice couldn’t merely be a matter of personal preference; it needed to be social and permeate every element of existence. He became aware of several injustices all around him and began looking for a comprehensive remedy built on paradigms other than the ones that had initially permitted injustice to exist. He was looking for what may be referred to as a grassroots approach, to put it briefly. He was forced by the search to abandon his affluent life in Makkah and seek refuge in the desert, where he could momentarily escape his difficult way of life.
He could have just left the area and looked for a more equitable society elsewhere, but his pursuit of justice was ultimately motivated by his ardent love for his people. Justice is simply what love looks like in public, according to Dr. Cornel West. Therefore, he didn’t venture much beyond Jabal Nr (Mountain of Light). He then endured the challenging ascent up the mountain to the Cave of Hira, where he spent weeks reflecting.
The Quran is a source of knowledge regarding Islamic morals and principles, especially the idea of social justice. Understanding Islam’s contribution to fostering fairness and equality in society requires an understanding of the Quran’s teachings on social justice. Muslims around the world who struggle to advance social justice and address the structural inequities that exist in society continue to find inspiration in the Quran’s emphasis on equality, charity, justice, and compassion.
