Tajdeed

The Qur’an commands, “O you who believe, be upright for God, and be bearers of witness with justice!” (Quran, 5:8).

This is crucial because Islam teaches that the eternal afterlife is more valuable than this temporary worldly life. “And for all are degrees according to what they did, and that He may pay them back fully their deeds and they shall not be wronged.” (Quran, 46:19).

Although this is the case, the Ahl al-‘Adl also give importance to this world as well. The Qur’an reminds the people that true justice is only fulfilled in the Hereafter, despite that the Mu’tazila and the Zaydiyya recognise that this world determines the state of the people on the Day of Judgement, and this is why it is necessary to manifest the beautiful decree and commands of God on Earth. Regarding this, the Qur’an declares “On that Day everyone will find himself confronted with whatever good and evil he has done” (Quran, 3:30).

Moreover, those who love justice cannot postpone justice to the next life, they want well being everywhere, so they aim to bring truth and justice as much as they can. That is why, even when one fails, another rises.

The Qur’an mentions, “O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives. Whether one is rich or poor, Allah is more worthy of both” (Quran, 4:135). Even if seeking justice does not give them immediate benefit, they recognise that upholding justice is the correct thing to do. As a result, of their action the community ultimately benefits from the strong stances of such altruistic people. It is evident that the worldview and the theology of the community is the essence and cause of their current conditions and this is why philosophy and theology need to be prioritised more.

Imams of justice: Zayd b. Ali, Yahya b. Zayd, Muhammad b. Abdullah al-Nafs al-Zakiyya, Ibrahim b. Abdullah al-Nafs al-Radiyya and Husayn b. Ali Sahib Fakhkh