A JEWISH-CHRISTIAN- MUSLIM DIALOGUE JUSTICE IN JUDAISM, CHRISTIANITY, ISLAM ARNOLD BENNETT Award-winning Filmmaker of The Newfoundland Passion and Messiah from Montreal Rev. PHILLIP LEWIS Retired Roman Catholic Priest, Community Chaplain and Catholic Chaplain in St. John's Dr. MAHMOUD HADDARA President, Muslim Association of Newfoundland & Labrador. Professor of Engineering, Memorial University

Justice in Islam Mahmoud Haddara February 2007

What is Justice Justice is the ideal, morally correct state of things and persons, whatever that contested ideal may turn out to mean (Wikipedia) Justice is a concept involving the fair, moral, and impartial treatment of all persons, especially in law

What is Justice Justice is the condition in which every person and every part of a whole (e.g. every part of the soul of a person, or every citizen or group in the state) performs its proper function and receives its proper reward. (John Howard Sobel)

Definitions Islam = Submission Salam = Peace Allah = God

Islam Doctrine The set of beliefs Law (shariah) The systems that organize the relationships between Muslims, their Lord, their community, fellow human beings, the environment, and all creation

Justice follows from the purpose of creation “We have indeed offered the Trust to the heavens, to the earth, and to the mountains, but they refused to undertake it and were afraid, but man undertook it.”(33:72) Human trust

Justice is an objective of the Divine messages “Indeed, we sent our messengers with clear signs, and sent down with them The Book and The Scales of Justice that people may establish justice”(57:25)

Justice follows from faith “I have decreed that injustice is unlawful” “Say, my Lord has commanded justice” (7:29) “Certainly God commands justice”(16:90) The Just, the Equitable

Justice follows from equality “O’ People, We have created you from a single pair (a male and a female), and We have made you nations and tribes so that you get to know each other, the best of you is the one that is most conscious of God” (49: 13)

Comprehensiveness of Justice Justice in dealing with God Justice in dealing with oneself Justice in court Justice in testimony Justice with enemies Social justice Justice between nations

Areas of Applying Justice Personal Social Legal Justice between nations

Personal Justice “One who transgresses the limits set by God has committed injustice against oneself”(65:3) “When you speak be just even if the subject is of your kin”(6:152)

Social Justice Ownership of wealth “and to Him belongs the dominion of heavens and earth and what is in between” (5:17) Trusteeship over wealth “and spend of that which He had made you trustees over” (57:7)

Distribution of wealth “So that it would not be an exclusive property of the those who are wealthy among you” (59:7) Zakat (poor dues) Inheritance laws

Legal judgments must uphold justice “God commands you to return trusts to their rightful owners, and when you judge between people, judge with fairness” (4:58)

Witnesses must bear testimony for justice “O’ you who believe, stand firm for justice and bear witness for the sake of God, even though it be against yourselves, your parents, or your relatives. It does not matter whether the party is rich or poor” (4:135) “O you who believe, Be steadfast for the sake of God and bear true witness and let not the enmity of a people incite you not do justice. Be just, this is nearer to righteousness.”(5:8)

Justice must be observed in legal transactions “O believers! When you deal with each other in lending for a fixed period of time, put it in writing. Let the scribe write it down with justice between the parties.” (2:282)

Justice between nations Peace Treaties Just war Justice in dealing with captives

Justice and Righteousness Righteousness is an ideal Justice is an integral part of Righteousness “be just, this is nearer to Righteousness” (5:8)