The Proofs for the Justice of Allāh, the Mighty and High, are many. We will
mention a few here:
First Proof:
Every human being, even though he may not be religious, perceives
through his nature the goodness of justice and the evil of oppression. In fact,
even if the oppressor himself was described as an oppressor, he would feel
hurt and would dislike it. On the contrary, if he was described as just, he
would feel delighted and pleased.
If a criminal and oppressor, who wastes all his aspirations following
his desires and anger, was taken to court and the judge rules for him falsely
due to bribe or fear of the criminal’s power, then the criminal would feel
pleased, but his logic and instinct would rule against the judgment. Hence, he
will believe the judge to be lowly.
On the contrary, if the judge does not take the bribe or the criminal’s
position into any consideration and rules with justice, then the oppressor
would be angry at him. However, his instinct will look at the judge and his
ruling with respect and admiration.
If this is the case with a human being, then how is it possible for
Allāh, Glory be Him, to be an oppressor in His sovereignty and rule? It is He
who made human nature to accept justice as good and injustice or oppression
as evil. He intends for the human being to adapt to justice and refrain from
the dirt of oppression. He, the Exalted, has commanded through His Word:
Surely Allah enjoins the doing of justice and the doing of good,1and Say: My Lord has
enjoined justice,2and O Dāwūd ! Surely We have made you a ruler in the land; so judge
between men with justice and do not follow desire.3
Second Proof:
Certainly, oppression occurs due to one of three reasons and all of
them are impossible to be related to Allāh: either due to ignorance of the evil;
or due to incapability in reaching the goal except through committing
oppression; or due to nonsense and vanity. Allāh is free from ignorance,....
reference:
1 Qur’ān: 16: 90.
2 Ibid: 7: 29.
3 Ibid: 38: 26.
......incapability and nonsense. Thus, His Knowledge of everything, His Power
over everything and His Wisdom that reaches everything requires that He be
Just and free from any kind of oppression and evil.
Third Proof:
Oppression is a deficiency. If Allāh, the Exalted, was an oppressor
then it would necessitate that He was composed of both deficiency and
perfection, and of existence and nonexistence. This is the worst of the types
of compositions, as mentioned earlier. In addition to that, the composed of
both perfection and deficiency is in need and limited. Neediness and
limitation are attributes of creation and not the Creator.
In conclusion, Allah, Blessed and Exalted be He, is Just in creating the
universe: Allah bears witness that there is no god but He, and (so do) the angels and
those possessed of knowledge, maintaining His creation with justice; there is no god but He,
the Mighty, the Wise.1 He is Just in His laws and regulations: Certainly We sent
Our messengers with clear arguments, and sent down with them the Book and the balance
that men may conduct themselves with equity.2 And He is Just in the accountability of
His servants on the Day of Judgment: And the matter shall be decided between them
with justice and they shall not be dealt with unjustly.3
A man asked Imām Jaᶜfar al-Sadiq (A): Verily, Divine Unity and
Divine Justice are the foundations of faith. Since His Knowledge is so great, it
is not possible for even a wise man to understand it all. So, teach me
something that is easy to understand and easy to memorise. He (A) answered:
As for Divine Unity, do not describe your Lord the way you describe yourself. As for
Divine Justice, do not apply to your Lord any of the shortcomings that you may apply to
yourself.4
He (A) said to Hishām ibn al-Ḥakam: Should I not give you a sentence
concerning Divine Justice and Divine Unity? He said, “Of course. May I be your
ransom!” He replied: Justice is not to blame Him and Divine Unity is not to imagine
Him.5
The Commander of the Faithful (A) said: Whatever you repent for from
Allāh, the Exalted, is from you, and whatever you praise Allāh, the Exalted, for is from
Him.6
Reference:
1 Qur’ān: 3: 18.
2 Ibid: 57: 25.
3 Ibid: 10: 54.
4 Shaykh Ṣadūq, Divine Unity: pp 96, ch. 5, ḥadīth 1.
5 Biḥār al-Anwār: vol. 5, pp 58.
6 Al-Ṭarā’if: 329.