Our integrity as
believers is derived
from all the moral
characteristics and
the standards of
righteousness set
for us in the
Quran.
When we
reverence God alone,
we adhere more to
those standards. On
the other hand, we
sin and damage our
character when our
reverence to God is
diminished and we
care for or fear
other idols.
[22:32]
Indeed, those who
reverence the rites
decreed by GOD
demonstrate
the righteousness of
their hearts.
[16:51] GOD has
proclaimed: "Do
not worship two
gods; there is only
one god.
You shall reverence
Me alone."
[5:35] O
you who believe, you
shall reverence
GOD and seek
the ways and means
to Him, and
strive in His
cause, that you
may succeed.
[13:20]
They are the ones
who
fulfill their pledge
to GOD, and
do not violate the
covenant.
[13:21]
They join
what GOD has
commanded to be
joined, reverence
their Lord, and
fear the
dreadful reckoning.
Because He is Al-
Haq,
the Rightful Lord,
the Truth, or the
True Lord and
King (6:62,
10:30,10:32, 22:62,
24:25, 31:30,18:44,
20:114), God is
absolutely Just,
and He is the Best
and the Most
Efficient Judge and
Reckoner (6:57,
7:87, 10:109,
12:80,14:51, 21:47,
33:39). We are
commanded by Him to
incorporate such an
awesome attribute to
all the other
elements of our
integrity and
establish justice
based on the laws
decreed for us by
God (16:90, 7:29,
55:7-9). Thus, we
are of a high level
of moral character
and
righteousness when we
are equitable among
each other. The one
basic and
strong foundation of
establishing justice
is our HONESTY in
upholding and
applying the laws
in the scripture.
This
automatically should
lead
to justice which is
crucial for the
enhancement of
morality and peace
in our
communities.
Iron: The Most
Useful Metal
[57:25]
We sent our
messengers
supported by
clear proofs,
and we sent
down to them
the scripture
and the law,
that the people
may uphold
justice.
And we sent down
the iron,
wherein there is
strength, and
many benefits
for the people.
All this in
order for GOD to
distinguish
those who would
support Him and
His messengers,
on faith. GOD is
Powerful,
Almighty.
[55:7]
He
constructed the
sky and
established the
law.
[55:8]
You shall not
transgress the
law.
[55:9]
You shall
establish
justice; do not
violate the law.
[103:1] By the
afternoon.
[103:2] The
human being is
utterly lost.
[103:3]
Except those who
believe and lead
a righteous
life, and
exhort one
another to
uphold the truth,
and exhort one
another to be
steadfast.
For our
salvation and to
serve our souls
rightfully, God
teaches us in
the
Quran
through many
examples how to
strive to
practice
justice. Every
day of our
lives, we
casually
encounter many
situations that
conform with
these examples
in the
Quran. We
are to reflect
on these
examples, take
heed, and never
underestimate
the values of
justice that are
taught through
each one of
them.
The
following
example is a
delicate
one. It is
not limited,
at all, to
trade
transactions,
as we have
been
always lead
to
understand, but
it is
applicable
to any
interaction
that
involves the
exchange of
anything
between two
parties. We
are to be
equitable irrespective
of being the
party that
receives or
the party
that gives
back. What a
test, and
what a
challenge
for those
who are
intelligent,
and truly
reverence
their Lord:
[83:1]
Woe
to the
cheaters.
[83:2]
Who demand
full measure
when
receiving
from the
people.
[83:3]
But when
giving them
the measures
or weights,
they cheat.
Other
examples to
reflect on
are:
[26:183] "Do
not cheat
the people
out of their
rights,
and do not
roam the
earth
corruptingly.
Murder,
Suicide, and
Illicit Gains
Prohibited
[4:29]
O you who
believe, do
not consume
each others'
properties
illicitly -
only
mutually
acceptable
transactions
are
permitted.
You
shall not
kill
yourselves.
GOD is
Merciful
towards you.
Honesty
& Justice
Advocated
[4:58]
GOD commands you
to give back
anything the
people have
entrusted to
you.
If
you judge among
the people,
you shall judge
equitably.
The best
enlightenment
indeed is what
GOD recommends
for you. GOD is
Hearer, Seer.
David's
Exemplary
Piety
[38:24] He
said, "He
is being
unfair to
you by
asking to
combine your
sheep with
his.
Most people
who
combine
their
properties
treat each
other
unfairly,
except
those who
believe and
work
righteousness,
and these
are so few."
Afterwards,
David
wondered if
he made the
right
judgment. He
thought that
we were
testing him.
He then
implored his
Lord for
forgiveness,
bowed down,
and
repented.*
[4:10]
Those who
consume the
orphans'
properties
unjustly,
eat fire into
their bellies,
and will suffer
in Hell.
Crucial
Advice
[17:36]
You shall
not accept
any
information,
unless you
verify it
for yourself.
I have given
you
the hearing,
the
eyesight,
and
the brain,
and
you are
responsible
for using
them.
Investigate
Rumors
Before
Believing
Them
[49:6]
O
you who
believe, if
a wicked
person
brings any
news to you,
you shall
first
investigate,
lest you
commit
injustice
towards some
people,
out of
ignorance,
then become
sorry and
remorseful
for what you
have done.
Reconcile
The Believers
[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.
The
Real Family
[49:10] The
believers are
members of one
family;
you shall
keep the peace
within your
family and
reverence GOD,
that you may
attain mercy.
Bearing a
truthful witness
is one of the
most challenging
situations for
all of us. It is
indeed a
practice test
for our claim of
being righteous
and just and a
chance of
redemption for
our souls:
[33:70]
O you who
believe,
reverence GOD
and utter only
the correct
utterances.
[9:119] O
you who believe, you
shall
reverence
GOD, and be among
the truthful.
Additional
Traits of the
Righteous
[25:72]
They do not
bear false
witness.
When they
encounter vain
talk, they
ignore it.
[22:30]
Those who
reverence the
rites decreed by
GOD have
deserved a good
reward at their
Lord.
All livestock is
made lawful for
your food,
except for those
specifically
prohibited for
you.
You shall avoid
the abomination
of idol worship,
and avoid
bearing false
witness.
The challenge gets
higher when we have
affairs or conflicts
that might come in
our way of being
honest and
equitable:
You
Shall Not Bear
False Witness
[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.
The ultimate
challenge is
when we are
asked to
establish
a truthful
witness against
our loved ones
or even
ourselves:
You
Shall Not
Bear False
Witness
[4:135]
O
you who
believe, you
shall be
absolutely
equitable,
and observe
GOD, when
you serve as
witnesses,
even
against
yourselves,
or
your
parents,
or
your
relatives.
Whether the
accused is
rich or
poor, GOD
takes care
of both.
Therefore,
do not be
biased by
your
personal
wishes.
If
you deviate
or disregard
(this
commandment),
then
GOD is fully
Cognizant of
everything
you do.
As a last
note,
following any
of
God's commands, including
being a
"just
believer," is an
obligation
we all have
towards our
souls. When
we reverence
God and
be equitable
and just
towards
others, we
are equitable
and just
towards our
own souls.
We wrong our
own souls
when we
violate any
of God's
commands,
including
being Just:
[59:18]
O
you who
believe, you
shall
reverence
GOD, and let
every soul
examine what
it has sent
ahead for
tomorrow.
You shall
reverence
GOD; GOD is
fully
Cognizant of
everything
you do.
[16:111]
The
day will
come when
every soul
will serve
as its own
advocate,
and every
soul will be
paid fully
for whatever
it had done,
without the
least
injustice.
[3:30]
The day
will
come
when
each
soul
will
find all
the good
works it
had done
brought
forth.
As for
the evil
works,
it will
wish
that
they
were
far, far
removed.
GOD
alerts
you that
you
shall
reverence
Him
alone.
GOD is
Compassionate
towards
the
people.
The Day of
Judgment
[39:68] The horn
will be blown,
whereupon everyone
in the heavens and
the earth will be
struck unconscious,
except those who
will be spared by
GOD. Then it will be
blown another time,
whereupon they will
all rise up,
looking.*
[39:69]
Then the earth will
shine with the light
of its Lord. The
record will be
proclaimed, and the
prophets and the
witnesses will be
brought forth.
Everyone will then
be judged
equitably,
without the least
injustice.
[39:70]
Every soul
will be paid for
whatever it did, for
He is fully aware of
everything they have
done.
Peaceful Friday,
salaam and God bless
you.
