Justice is a fundamental principle in Islam, and many hadiths discuss how justice should be carried out in society. These teachings guide judges, leaders, and every individual on how to uphold fairness in their actions. Below are some important hadiths related to justice, their meanings, and the lessons they provide for us.
The Consequence of Being a Judge
English Translation
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “He who has been appointed a judge among the people has been killed without a knife.”
(Book 18, Number 3565)
Urdu Translation
حضرت ابو ہریرہ رضی اللہ عنہ روایت کرتے ہیں کہ نبی کریم ﷺ نے فرمایا: “جو شخص لوگوں میں قاضی مقرر ہوا، گویا اسے چھری کے بغیر قتل کیا گیا۔”
Arabic Text
“عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رضي الله عنه، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ: “مَنْ وُلِّيَ قَاضِيًا فَقَدْ ذُبِحَ بِغَيْرِ سِكِّينٍ.”
(كتاب 18، رقم 3565)“
Important Lessons
In this hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him) highlights the grave responsibility of being a judge. It implies that being a judge is a heavy task because it can lead to immense consequences if justice is not served properly. A judge must be fair and knowledgeable, as an unjust ruling can lead to great harm for society. The metaphor of being “killed without a knife” shows the inner torment a judge might face if they fail to act justly.
Types of Judges
English Translation
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Judges are of three types: one who will go to Paradise and two who will go to Hell. The one who will go to Paradise is the judge who knows the truth and gives judgment accordingly. The judge who knows the truth but acts unjustly will go to Hell, and the one who judges without knowledge will also go to Hell.”
(Book 18, Number 3566)
Urdu Translation
حضرت بریدہ بن الحصیب رضی اللہ عنہ سے روایت ہے کہ نبی کریم ﷺ نے فرمایا: “قاضی تین قسم کے ہوتے ہیں، ایک جنت میں جائے گا اور دو جہنم میں۔ جو قاضی حق کو جان کر اس کے مطابق فیصلہ کرتا ہے، وہ جنت میں جائے گا، اور جو جان بوجھ کر ظلم کرتا ہے، وہ جہنم میں جائے گا، اور جو بغیر علم کے فیصلہ کرتا ہے، وہ بھی جہنم میں جائے گا۔”
Arabic Text
“عَنْ بُرَيْدَةَ بْنِ الْحَصِيبِ رضي الله عنه، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ: “الْقُضَاةُ ثَلاَثَةٌ: وَاحِدٌ فِي الْجَنَّةِ، وَاثْنَانِ فِي النَّارِ. فَأَمَّا الَّذِي فِي الْجَنَّةِ فَرَجُلٌ عَرَفَ الْحَقَّ فَقَضَى بِهِ. وَرَجُلٌ عَرَفَ الْحَقَّ فَجَارَ فِي الْحُكْمِ فَهُوَ فِي النَّارِ. وَرَجُلٌ قَضَى لِلنَّاسِ عَلَى جَهْلٍ فَهُوَ فِي النَّارِ.”
(كتاب 18، رقم 3566)“
Important Lessons
This hadith categorizes judges into three groups, emphasizing that only one type of judge will attain paradise — the one who knows what is right and acts accordingly. The other two types, those who either knowingly judge unjustly or judge without knowledge, are warned of Hell. This hadith serves as a stark reminder of the need for justice, knowledge, and sincerity when passing judgments.
The Reward for a Just Judge
English Translation
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “If anyone seeks the office of judge among Muslims till he gets it, and his justice prevails over his tyranny, he will go to Paradise; but the man whose tyranny prevails over his justice will go to Hell.”
(Book 18, Number 3568)
Urdu Translation
“حضرت ابو ہریرہ رضی اللہ عنہ روایت کرتے ہیں کہ نبی کریم ﷺ نے فرمایا: “جو شخص مسلمانوں میں قاضی بننے کی کوشش کرتا ہے اور انصاف اس کے ظلم پر غالب ہوتا ہے، وہ جنت میں جائے گا، لیکن جس کا ظلم انصاف پر غالب ہوتا ہے، وہ جہنم میں جائے گا۔”“
Arabic Text
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رضي الله عنه، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ: “إِنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ يَسْتَمِدُّ بِالْحُكْمِ فَإِذَا ظَهَرَ إِنْصَافُهُ عَلَى ظُلْمِهِ دَخَلَ الْجَنَّةَ، وَإِذَا ظَهَرَ ظُلْمُهُ عَلَى إِنْصَافِهِ دَخَلَ النَّارَ.”
(كتاب 18، رقم 3568)
Important Lessons
This hadith teaches us that a judge who remains fair and allows justice to guide their decisions will be rewarded with Paradise. However, those who let tyranny or personal bias affect their judgments will face Hell. It emphasizes the critical nature of justice in leadership and the accountability of judges for their actions.
Avoid Hasty Judgments
English Translation
AbuMas’ud al-Ansari reported that two men came to him and asked for a judgment. Before anyone could speak, a man from the circle rushed to offer his judgment. Abu Masud threw pebbles at him and said: “Hush! It is disapproved to make haste in decision.”
(Book 18, Number 3570)
Urdu Translation
حضرت ابو مسعود انصاری رضی اللہ عنہ روایت کرتے ہیں کہ دو آدمی ان کے پاس آئے اور فیصلہ مانگا۔ ایک شخص حلقے سے جلدی میں اپنا فیصلہ سنانے لگا، تو ابو مسعود نے اس پر کنکریاں پھینکیں اور کہا: “خاموش رہو! جلدی میں فیصلہ کرنا ناپسندیدہ ہے۔”
Arabic Text
“عَنْ أَبِي مَسْعُودٍ الْأَنْصَارِيِّ رضي الله عنه، قَالَ: “جَاءَ رَجُلَانِ إِلَى أَبِي مَسْعُودٍ يَطْلُبَانِ الْحُكْمَ، فَبَادَرَ رَجُلٌ مِنْ الْحَلَقَةِ بِالْفَصْلِ بَيْنَهُمَا. فَأَخَذَ أَبُو مَسْعُودٍ بَحَصَيَاتٍ وَقَذَفَهُ بِهَا قَائِلًا: أَتَعَجَّلُونَ؟”
(كتاب 18، رقم 3570)“
Important Lessons
In this hadith, we learn that hasty decisions are disapproved of in Islam. AbuMas’ud al-Ansari’s reaction teaches us that careful consideration and patience are essential when judging disputes. Rushing into a judgment without proper thought can lead to injustice, so it is vital to take the time to think before making decisions.
Upholding Justice in Islam
These hadiths collectively teach us about the importance of justice in Islam. Whether it is about being a fair judge, avoiding hasty decisions, or understanding the responsibilities of leadership, Islam places a strong emphasis on fairness and accountability. Every decision we make, particularly in matters of judgment, will be weighed in the afterlife, and we must strive for justice to ensure the well-being of society and our own salvation.