Justice and Equity — Seal of the Prophets Vol. 2
Introduction
In this discourse from The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 2), Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra) details the historical events and scholarly insights surrounding Justice and Equity.
Book Series: The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 2)
Author: Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra)
Section: XII – First Era of Life in Madinah Comes to an End and the Islamic System of Government
Pages: Book pp. 568–569 (PDF pp. 592–593)
Navigation: Book Table of Contents | « Previous: [General Treatment and Political Relations] | Next: [Aid for Destitute Dhimmis] »
Historical Account
As far as the judiciary and courts were concerned, Muslim and nonMuslim citizens were already legally equal in terms of rights, but even in practice, the scale of justice was never be permitted to fall over to one side. Therefore, we have seen that when the Banū Naḍīr were exiled and a dispute arose between the Anṣār and Jews, i.e., the Jews desired to take the children of the Anṣār along, while the Anṣār attempted to restrain them, the Holy Prophetsa decided against the Muslims in favour of the Jews. Similarly, it is narrated that on one occasion, a case between a Jew and Muslim was presented before Ḥaḍrat ‘Umarra. Upon finding the truth to be with the Jew, Ḥaḍrat ‘Umarra dismissed the plea of the Muslim and issued a verdict in the favour of the Jew. During the time of Ḥaḍrat ‘Umarra a Jew was murdered, and no lead could be found with respect to the killer. When he was informed of this, he became worried and came out of his home. Then, he gathered the Companions in the mosque, ascended the pulpit, and delivered an extremely powerful address saying:
[Sunanu Abī Dāwūd, Kitābul-Jihād, Bābun Fil-Asīri Yukrahu ‘Alal-Islāmi, Ḥadīth No. 2682]
[Al-Muwaṭṭā, By Imām Mālik bin Anas, Kitābul-Aqḍiyah, Bābut-Targhību Fil-Qaḍā’i Bil-Ḥaqq, Ḥadīth No. 1425]
“God has made me a Khalīfah, and put the reigns of the Islāmic Government in my hand. Now shall the blood of God’s creation be spilt under my rule? By God! Anyone who has any knowledge of this incident should tell me now.”
Upon this, a Companion named Bakr bin Shaddākhra stood up and said, “O Amīrul-Mu’minīn! It is I who has committed this murder.” Ḥaḍrat ‘Umarra responded, “Allāh is the Greatest! You are the killer! Retribution will be sought from you, unless you
are able to absolve yourself.”
[Usdul-Ghābah Fī Ma‘rifatiṣ-Ṣaḥābah, By ‘Izzuddīn Ibnul-Athīr Abul-Ḥasan ‘Alī bin Muḥammad, Volume 1, p. 280, Bakrubnu Shaddākhin, Dārul-Fikr, Beirut, Lebanon (2003) * Additionally, in order to find proof which refutes the false notion that a Muslim cannot be put to death in retribution for a disbeliever refer to Sharḥu Ma‘ānil-Āthār, By Abū Ja‘far Aḥmad bin Muḥammad (Aṭ-Ṭaḥāwī), Part 2, pp. 108-110, Bābul-Mu’minu Yaqtulul-Kāfira Muta‘ammidan, Maktaba-e-Raḥmāniyyah, Urdu Bazaar, Lahore]
Book Series: The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 2)
Section: XII – First Era of Life in Madinah Comes to an End and the Islamic System of Government | Navigation: « Previous: [General Treatment and Political Relations] | Next: [Aid for Destitute Dhimmis] »