⚖️ Justice and Fairness in the Quran
In the Quran, justice appears again and again as something God Himself commands. God enjoins justice, doing good and giving to relatives, and forbids indecency and oppression. The messengers, it says, were sent with the Book and the balance so that people might uphold justice.
Justice is asked for in concrete situations. Believers are told to return trusts to their owners and to judge between people fairly, and to stand firm as witnesses for justice even when the testimony goes against themselves, their parents or their relatives. One verse warns that hatred of a people must not lead anyone to act unjustly, because justice is nearer to mindfulness of God. The command to give full measure and weight, and not to cheat people of their goods, returns in several chapters and is at the heart of the story of the prophet Shuayb and the people of Midian.
The Quran also speaks of God's own justice. God does not wrong anyone by even an atom's weight and is never unjust to His servants. On the Day of Resurrection just scales will be set up, and even a deed the weight of a mustard seed will be brought forth. Human fairness is thus tied to the justice of God.
(紹介文は英語です)
Justice as God's command
- 16:90
God commands justice, good conduct and giving to relatives, and forbids oppression.
إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالْإِحْسَانِ وَإِيتَاءِ ذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَيَنْهَىٰ عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنْكَرِ وَالْبَغْيِ ۚ يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ
인날 라하 야으무r루 빌아들리 왈이흐사니 와이타이 ð딜 꾸r르바 와얀하 아닐 f파흐샤이 왈문카r리 왈바그이 야이ð두쿰 라알라쿰 타ð닥카r룬
God commands justice, doing good, and giving to relatives, and He forbids indecency, wrongdoing and oppression. He admonishes you so that you may take heed.
- 7:29
The Prophet is told to declare that his Lord has commanded justice.
قُلْ أَمَرَ رَبِّي بِالْقِسْطِ ۖ وَأَقِيمُوا وُجُوهَكُمْ عِنْدَ كُلِّ مَسْجِدٍ وَادْعُوهُ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ ۚ كَمَا بَدَأَكُمْ تَعُودُونَ
꿀 아마r라 r랍비 빌끼스띠 와아끼무 우주하쿰 인다 쿨리 마스지딘 와드우후 무흘리시나 라훗 디나 카마 바다아쿰 타우둔
Say, “My Lord has commanded justice. Set your faces [toward Him] at every place of prostration, and call on Him, devoting your religion sincerely to Him. As He brought you into being at first, so you will return.”
- 57:25
Messengers came with the Book and the balance so people would uphold justice.
لَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلَنَا بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ وَأَنْزَلْنَا مَعَهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْمِيزَانَ لِيَقُومَ النَّاسُ بِالْقِسْطِ ۖ وَأَنْزَلْنَا الْحَدِيدَ فِيهِ بَأْسٌ شَدِيدٌ وَمَنَافِعُ لِلنَّاسِ وَلِيَعْلَمَ اللَّهُ مَنْ يَنْصُرُهُ وَرُسُلَهُ بِالْغَيْبِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ قَوِيٌّ عَزِيزٌ
라까드 아r르살나 r루술라나 빌바이나티 와안잘나 마아후물 키타바 왈미자나 리야꾸만 나수 빌끼스띠 와안잘날 하디다 f피히 바으순 샤디둔 와마나f피우 린나시 왈리야을라말 라후 만 얀수r루후 와r루술라후 빌가이비 인날 라하 까위윤 아지즈
We have sent Our messengers with clear proofs, and sent down with them the Book and the balance so that people may uphold justice. And We sent down iron, in which is great might and benefits for people, and so that God may know who supports Him and His messengers in [the] unseen. Indeed God is Powerful, Almighty.
- 4:58
Return trusts to their owners and judge between people with justice.
إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَنْ تُؤَدُّوا الْأَمَانَاتِ إِلَىٰ أَهْلِهَا وَإِذَا حَكَمْتُمْ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ أَنْ تَحْكُمُوا بِالْعَدْلِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ نِعِمَّا يَعِظُكُمْ بِهِ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ سَمِيعًا بَصِيرًا
인날 라하 야으무r루쿰 안 투앗둘 아마나티 일라 아흘리하 와이ð다 하캄툼 바이난 나시 안 타흐쿠무 빌아들리 인날 라하 니임마 야이ð두쿰 비히 인날 라하 카나 사미암 바시r라
God commands you to render trusts to those to whom they are due, and when you judge between people, to judge with justice. Excellent is that with which God admonishes you. God is All-Hearing, All-Seeing.
Fairness in testimony and judgement
- 4:135
Stand firm for justice as witnesses, even against yourselves, parents or relatives.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُونُوا قَوَّامِينَ بِالْقِسْطِ شُهَدَاءَ لِلَّهِ وَلَوْ عَلَىٰ أَنْفُسِكُمْ أَوِ الْوَالِدَيْنِ وَالْأَقْرَبِينَ ۚ إِنْ يَكُنْ غَنِيًّا أَوْ فَقِيرًا فَاللَّهُ أَوْلَىٰ بِهِمَا ۖ فَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا الْهَوَىٰ أَنْ تَعْدِلُوا ۚ وَإِنْ تَلْوُوا أَوْ تُعْرِضُوا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرًا
야 아이유할 라ð디나 아마누 쿠누 까우와미나 빌끼스띠 슈하다아 릴라히 왈라우 알라 안f푸시쿰 아윌 왈리다이니 왈아끄r라비나 인 야쿤 가니얀 아우 f파끼r란 f팔라후 아울라 비히마 f팔라 탓타비울 하와 안 타으딜루 와인 탈우 아우 투으r리두 f파인날 라하 카나 비마 타으말루나 카비r라
O you who believe, stand firm for justice as witnesses for God, even if it be against yourselves, your parents or your relatives. Whether [the person] is rich or poor, God has the greater claim over them both. So do not follow your desires, lest you deviate [from justice]. If you distort [your testimony] or turn away [from it], God is ever aware of what you do.
- 5:8
Hatred of a people must not lead to injustice; justice is nearer to piety.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُونُوا قَوَّامِينَ لِلَّهِ شُهَدَاءَ بِالْقِسْطِ ۖ وَلَا يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَآنُ قَوْمٍ عَلَىٰ أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا ۚ اعْدِلُوا هُوَ أَقْرَبُ لِلتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ
야 아이유할 라ð디나 아마누 쿠누 까우와미나 릴라히 슈하다아 빌끼스띠 왈라 야즈r리만나쿰 샤나아누 까우민 알라 알라 타으딜루 으딜루 후와 아끄r라부 릿타끄와 왓타꿀 라하 인날 라하 카비r룸 비마 타으말룬
O you who believe, stand firm for God as witnesses in justice, and do not let hatred of a people lead you to be unjust. Be just; that is nearer to mindfulness of God. Be mindful of God; God is aware of what you do.
- 6:152
Protect the orphan's property, give full measure, and speak justly even about a relative.
وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا مَالَ الْيَتِيمِ إِلَّا بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ حَتَّىٰ يَبْلُغَ أَشُدَّهُ ۖ وَأَوْفُوا الْكَيْلَ وَالْمِيزَانَ بِالْقِسْطِ ۖ لَا نُكَلِّفُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا ۖ وَإِذَا قُلْتُمْ فَاعْدِلُوا وَلَوْ كَانَ ذَا قُرْبَىٰ ۖ وَبِعَهْدِ اللَّهِ أَوْفُوا ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ وَصَّاكُمْ بِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ
왈라 타끄r라부 말랄 야티미 일라 빌라티 히야 아흐사누 핫타 야블루가 아슛다후 와아우f풀 카일라 왈미자나 빌끼스띠 라 누칼리f푸 나f프산 일라 우스아하 와이ð다 꿀툼 f파으딜루 왈라우 카나 ð다 꾸r르바 와비아흐딜 라히 아우f푸 ð달리쿰 왓사쿰 비히 라알라쿰 타ð닥카r룬
Do not approach the property of the orphan except in the best way, until he reaches maturity. Give full measure and weight with justice; We do not burden any soul beyond its capacity. When you speak, be just, even if it concerns a relative. Fulfil the covenant of God. This He has enjoined on you, so that you may take heed.
- 49:9
Reconcile quarrelling believers with justice; God loves those who are fair.
وَإِنْ طَائِفَتَانِ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ اقْتَتَلُوا فَأَصْلِحُوا بَيْنَهُمَا ۖ فَإِنْ بَغَتْ إِحْدَاهُمَا عَلَى الْأُخْرَىٰ فَقَاتِلُوا الَّتِي تَبْغِي حَتَّىٰ تَفِيءَ إِلَىٰ أَمْرِ اللَّهِ ۚ فَإِنْ فَاءَتْ فَأَصْلِحُوا بَيْنَهُمَا بِالْعَدْلِ وَأَقْسِطُوا ۖ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُقْسِطِينَ
와인 따이f파타니 미날 무으미니낙 타탈루 f파아슬리후 바이나후마 f파임 바가트 이흐다후마 알랄 우흐r라 f파까틸룰 라티 탑기 핫타 타f피아 일라 암r릴 라히 f파인 f파아트 f파아슬리후 바이나후마 빌아들리 와악시뚜 인날 라하 유힙불 묵시띤
And if two groups of the believers fight each other, make peace between them. But if one of them transgresses against the other, fight the one that transgresses until it returns to the command of God. And if it returns, make peace between them with justice, and be fair. God loves those who are fair.
- 60:8
God does not forbid kindness and justice toward those who have not fought you.
لَا يَنْهَاكُمُ اللَّهُ عَنِ الَّذِينَ لَمْ يُقَاتِلُوكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ وَلَمْ يُخْرِجُوكُمْ مِنْ دِيَارِكُمْ أَنْ تَبَرُّوهُمْ وَتُقْسِطُوا إِلَيْهِمْ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُقْسِطِينَ
라 얀하쿠물 라후 아닐 라ð디나 람 유까틸루쿰 f핏 디니 왈람 유흐r리주쿰 민 디야r리쿰 안 타바르r루훔 와툭시뚜 일라이힘 인날 라하 유힙불 묵시띤
God does not forbid you from those who have not fought you because of religion and have not driven you out of your homes — from being kind to them and acting justly toward them. Indeed God loves those who act justly.
Honest measure and trade
- 55:7-9
God set up the balance, so weigh with justice and do not skimp the scale.
وَالسَّمَاءَ رَفَعَهَا وَوَضَعَ الْمِيزَانَ
왓사마아 r라f파아하 와와다알 미잔
And the sky He raised high, and He set up the balance,
أَلَّا تَطْغَوْا فِي الْمِيزَانِ
알라 타뜨가우 f필 미잔
so that you do not transgress in the balance.
وَأَقِيمُوا الْوَزْنَ بِالْقِسْطِ وَلَا تُخْسِرُوا الْمِيزَانَ
와아끼물 와즈나 빌끼스띠 왈라 투흐시r룰 미잔
So establish the weight with justice and do not skimp the balance.
- 17:35
Give full measure and weigh with an accurate balance; that is best in the end.
وَأَوْفُوا الْكَيْلَ إِذَا كِلْتُمْ وَزِنُوا بِالْقِسْطَاسِ الْمُسْتَقِيمِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ وَأَحْسَنُ تَأْوِيلًا
와아우f풀 카일라 이ð다 킬툼 와지누 빌끼스따실 무스타끼미 ð달리카 카이r룬 와아흐사누 타으윌라
Give full measure when you measure, and weigh with an accurate balance. That is better and best in the end.
- 83:1-3
Woe to those who take full measure but short-change others when they give.
وَيْلٌ لِلْمُطَفِّفِينَ
와일룰 릴무땁f피f핀
Woe to those who give short measure,
الَّذِينَ إِذَا اكْتَالُوا عَلَى النَّاسِ يَسْتَوْفُونَ
알라ð디나 이ð다 크탈루 알란 나시 야스타우f푼
who, when they take a measure from people, take in full,
وَإِذَا كَالُوهُمْ أَوْ وَزَنُوهُمْ يُخْسِرُونَ
와이ð다 칼루훔 아우 와자누훔 유흐시r룬
yet when they measure or weigh for others, they short-change them.
God's own justice
- 4:40
God wrongs no one by an atom's weight and multiplies good deeds.
إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَظْلِمُ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ ۖ وَإِنْ تَكُ حَسَنَةً يُضَاعِفْهَا وَيُؤْتِ مِنْ لَدُنْهُ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا
인날 라하 라 야ð들리무 미θ스깔라 ð다르r라틴 와인 타쿠 하사나탄 유다이f프하 와유으티 밀 라둔후 아즈r란 아ð디마
God does not wrong [anyone] even by the weight of an atom. If there is a good deed, He multiplies it and grants from Himself a great reward.
- 21:47
On Resurrection Day just scales are set; even a mustard seed's weight is counted.
وَنَضَعُ الْمَوَازِينَ الْقِسْطَ لِيَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ فَلَا تُظْلَمُ نَفْسٌ شَيْئًا ۖ وَإِنْ كَانَ مِثْقَالَ حَبَّةٍ مِنْ خَرْدَلٍ أَتَيْنَا بِهَا ۗ وَكَفَىٰ بِنَا حَاسِبِينَ
와나다울 마와지날 끼스따 리야우밀 끼야마티 f팔라 투ð들라무 나f프순 샤이안 와인 카나 미θ스깔라 합바팀 민 카r르달린 아타이나 비하 와카f파 비나 하시빈
We will set up the scales of justice for the Day of Resurrection, so no soul will be wronged in the least. Even if it be the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it forth. And sufficient are We as reckoners.
- 41:46
Good and evil return to the doer; your Lord is never unjust to His servants.
مَنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحًا فَلِنَفْسِهِ ۖ وَمَنْ أَسَاءَ فَعَلَيْهَا ۗ وَمَا رَبُّكَ بِظَلَّامٍ لِلْعَبِيدِ
만 아밀라 살리한 f팔리나f프시히 와만 아사아 f파알라이하 와마 r랍부카 비ð달라밀 릴아비드
Whoever does righteousness, it is for his own soul; and whoever does evil, it is against it. Your Lord is never unjust to [His] servants.