Quranic commandments on justice and fairness states: '…And when you speak, observe justice, even if the concerned person be a relative…' (6:153). Dispensing justice is multi-faceted and the Holy Qur'an has given detailed directives about it.
Observance of justice as regards one's near and dear ones, the Qur'an states: 'O ye who believe! be strict in observing justice, and being witnesses for the sake of Allah, even though it be against yourselves or against parents and kindred. Whether he be rich or poor, Allah is more regardful of them both than you are.
Therefore follow not low desires so that you may be able to act equitably. And if you conceal the truth or evade it, then remember that Allah is well aware of what you do. (4:136) Here, it is explained that a general principle regarding bearing witness should be that it is purely for the sake of seeking God's pleasure.
The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said: 'Be firm on truth and on justice and all your testimonies should be for the sake of God.'
Indeed, unless the objective is to bear witness for the sake of God the requisite high standard cannot be attained. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said: 'Administering justice is the king of all faculties. If the capacity to administer justice is missing in a person, he will be deprived [from the merit of] all other faculties as well.'
The human trait to be fair enhances his other qualities. If the capacity as mentioned in the aforementioned verse is enacted upon, that is, one bears witness against oneself, one's parents and near and dear ones, a peerless beautiful society would be created. Bearing witness/testifying is required when there is a problem between two parties so that the reality of the matter is clarified and dispensing of justice is made easy.
However, if the very testimony is false, it is possible that the decision of the decision-maker is not right, in fact even the wrong decision can be given. In this regard the sin is on the person who gives false testimony.
Some people do give wrong testimony to benefit their near and dear ones. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said that anyone who made him give out an incorrect verdict by giving a wrong statement as if takes a piece of fire from him. The aforementioned verse (4:136) is also applicable on matters of marital disagreements.
Those who try and particularly seek what is not due to them by giving false testimonies, whether is the wife or the husband or their respective families, facilitate miscarriage of justice and obtain piece of fire for themselves.
God states that contesting parties and witnesses thus avoid what is fair by following their selfish desires. He then states: '…if you conceal the truth or evade it, then remember that Allah is well aware of what you do.'
Giving false testimony by someone can deceive the decisionmaker and have a verdict passed in their favour and against the rules of justice, but God is well aware and cannot be deceived.
The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) has drawn attention to saying the clear and straight word in the Nikah sermon, so that while going through life and in times of disagreements, Qawl e Sadeed (the right word) is not abandoned.
Doing so takes one away from justice and fairness and it becomes a source of chaos and turmoil. When marital problems, Khula or divorce, come before the Qadha Board, sometimes the statements given are not based on truth and reality. Similarly, for temporary advantage, some people abandon Taqwa in business dealings and thus obtain piece of fire. The Hadith which cites 'piece of fire' is about inheritance problems between two brothers.
When the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) informed them that they were as if obtaining a piece of fire, they were overwhelmed and said they relinquished their rights. However, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) told them that relinquishing one's right was also not right and to draw lots if their testimonies were not conclusive.
May God have mercy and give sense to people who impede the course of justice. If just and fair testimonies are given in domestic and business matters, our society can be a heavenly model. The Holy Qur'an gives detailed directive about justice.
It states: 'Verily, Allah commands you to make over the trusts to those entitled to them, and that, when you judge between men, you judge with justice. And surely excellent is that with which Allah admonishes you! Allah is All-Hearing, All-Seeing. (4:59) The first thing the verse mentions is to make over the trusts to those to whom they rightly belong to.
A short while ago Hazrat Khalifatul Masih gave a detailed Friday sermon explaining that this year is an election year in the Jama'at and people should not be elected out of personal preferences but with honesty and fairness those should be elected who will dispense justice.
Elections have now taken place and in some places people have chosen based on personal preference, in some places Hazrat Khalifatul Masih has appointed people to office regardless of voting results and has kept on those who work well.
Every individual has a personal level of working and if he reaches that mark, it is possible that he cannot develop any further.
It is possible that he will function better in another area. Some people think the changes made are borne of displeasure. More than displeasure the main factor in these changes was interest of the Jama'at. God alone knows what is in hearts.
We can only consult and decide on what is obvious. However, in some countries people have been elected based on personal preferences. Now that the elections have taken place, it is the duty of those elected to seek help and forgiveness from God. [Jama'at] offices are a grace and favour of God and it should be valued as such.
Those elected to Jama'at office should now plan for the moral training and development of members of their respective Jama'ats with fairness and try and work hard.
TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK
