August 2017: Page 1, 2, 3, 4

Zul-Qi'dah 1438

Volume 33 No 8


In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Submitters Perspective

Monthly Bulletin of the International Community of Submitters Published by Masjid Tucson

Justice

A dilemma the world faces today is the rejection of basic human rights and the abandonment of justice. Submission (in Arabic, Islam) is the outstanding religion which renders the most suitable and efficient guidance for tackling predicaments. It exhibits an appealing way of life which meets the demands of any intellectual and political background of the world. From time to time, God sent scriptures, prophets, messengers and other righteous individuals to point their people back to God’s words and establish justice. The individual who does good should be rewarded and the one who does evil must be punished. If there were no justice at all in the world, then there would be anarchy, brutality and oppression.

In Submission (Islam), we have a consciousness of justice which is more inclusive, crucial and sacrosanct than in other systems. No one is above the law; none can claim immunity from the law. The Quran condemns bribery, corruption and nepotism—barriers to achieving justice. No agency should benefit from unique advantages or protection from the function of the law.

Submitters must be equitable and are not to commit injustice owing to the belief system of the accused or any relationship with individuals. In justice, all are equal – high or low, prince or pauper, black or white. There cannot be one rule for the sovereign and another for the masses, one for the influential and another for the feeble, one for the affluent and another for the deprived.

Submission (Islam) disapproves of human suppression in all its varieties and appearances. It educates humanity with the message of liberty.  When you are granted freedom, you can use your potential and talents to satisfaction.  Submission calls for fair dealing and evenhandedness in all cases. It establishes stability between privileges and obligations, between individuals and cultures, between society and country. It is unfortunate that the so-called Muslims in our day have lost the idealistic directives of justice and equity and have implemented zulm (prejudice and tyranny) in all its types.
One of the most important things we learn from the Quran is being just.

[5:8] O you who believe, you shall be absolutely equitable, and observe GOD, when you serve as witnesses. Do not be provoked by your conflicts with some people into committing injustice. You shall be absolutely equitable, for it is more righteous. You shall observe GOD. GOD is fully Cognizant of everything you do.

[5:2] .... Do not be provoked into aggression by your hatred of people who once prevented you from going to the Sacred Masjid. You shall cooperate in matters of righteousness and piety; do not cooperate in matters that are sinful and evil. You shall observe GOD. GOD is strict in enforcing retribution.

The Quran says that God loves those who are just.

[49:9] If two groups of believers fought with each other, you shall reconcile them. If one group aggresses against the other, you shall fight the aggressing group until they submit to GOD’s command. Once they submit, you shall reconcile the two groups equitably. You shall maintain justice; GOD loves those who are just.

We have to be just with our enemies, as well as with family and friends. Quran 5:8 tells us we cannot be provoked by conflicts into committing injustice. 4:135 reminds us not to let our

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