Justice & Mercy (‘Adl wa Rahmah)

General Definition:

‘Adl (العدل) means to place things in their proper measure — fairness, equity, and upholding truth. Rahmah (الرحمة) means mercy, compassion, and benevolence rooted in divine love. Classical scholars describe justice as the foundation of order and mercy as its soul. Together, they reflect Allah’s balance between firm justice and gentle compassion, both of which believers are commanded to embody in faith and action.

Qur’anic References:

• Command of Justice and Righteous Conduct
  • Al-Nahl 16:90 – “Indeed, Allah commands justice, excellence, and generosity to relatives, and forbids immorality, wrongdoing, and oppression.”
  • Al-Ma’idah 5:8 – Stand firm for Allah as witnesses in justice; do not let hatred cause injustice — be just, for that is nearer to taqwa.
  • An-Nisa 4:135 – Stand firmly for justice, even against yourselves, parents, or kin; Allah is most aware of your deeds.
• Justice as a Prophetic Mission
  • Al-Hadid 57:25 – Allah sent messengers with clear proofs, scripture, and the balance so that people may uphold justice.
  • Ash-Shura 42:15 – Allah commands to establish uprightness and justice, as faith demands no transgression.
  • Al-A‘raf 7:29 – Say, “My Lord has commanded justice,” and set your face toward Him in every act of worship.
• Divine Mercy and Its Reflection in Human Conduct
  • Al-Anbiya 21:107 – “We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds.”
  • Al-Zumar 39:53 – Allah’s mercy encompasses all sinners who repent.
  • Al-Imran 3:159 – By Allah’s mercy, the Prophet dealt gently with them; had he been harsh, they would have turned away.

Notes:

• Al-Nahl (16) and Al-Ma’idah (5) establish justice as a divine command and ethical standard, applicable to all circumstances.
• Al-Hadid (57) links justice directly to prophethood and revelation, showing it as the goal of divine law.
• Al-Anbiya (21) and Al-Imran (3) emphasize mercy as the spirit of justice, ensuring compassion accompanies firmness.
• Classical scholarship describes ‘adl and rahmah as complementary, not opposing — justice preserves truth, mercy perfects it.
• A just society, grounded in mercy, reflects Allah’s names Al-‘Adl (The Just) and Ar-Rahman (The Most Merciful) — achieving harmony between divine law and human compassion.