O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even though it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, be he rich or poor, Allah is a Better Protector to both (than you). So follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you avoid justice; and if you distort your witness or refuse to give it, verily, Allah is Ever Well-Acquainted with what you do. [Surah An-Nisa (4:135)]

Reflections from this verse

Islam is a religion that helps its followers not only to prepare for the life in the Hereafter, but also to establish peace and security on earth.

• The verse highlights a very important constituent of Islamic character – the need to practice justice in matters pertaining to our interactions and dealings with others. Allah the Most Wise and Just, expects Muslims to be firm in implementing justice.
• Islam strictly forbids oppression and misuse of power over the weak in any form.
• Justice should be given such importance in our lives and all its affairs that self seeking considerations should not be allowed to influence it, weaken it or twist it.
• The practice of justice requires that we do not give undue importance to our ego or to false ‘worldly’ concepts like our ‘image’ in the eyes of others.
• We generally avoid justice when its implementation goes against us or our near ones as we are concerned about protecting our (and their) interests. But Allah The All Knower assures us that He is a Better Protector of all.
• We must realize that none other than Allah, The Disposer of All-Affairs, has the power to take care of the world and its people (which include even ourselves). For a short-term benefit, we should not therefore deviate from justice thinking that we can safe-guard our interests by ignoring it, avoiding it or going against it.
• Allah The Most Wise is concerned about our long term gains which can be achieved when we adopt the right and just course in all our dealings.
• We are also aware of the fact that when we adhere to justice and fairness, most of our conflicts would be dissolved and Allah’s injunction for us to stay away from mischief, would be easy to follow.
• Allah Most Merciful gives us reminders at the end of many verses in the Quran that He (SWT) ‘is Ever Well-Acquainted with what you do’. This should enable us to be constantly aware of the Day of Accountability when we would be standing in front of Allah The Exalted in Power and Might, unable to hide any wrong act we might have indulged in during our life.

– End