Justice, Islam, and trustees

Justice is a vital value, because when it is absent, all other values may begin to disintegrate. The Turkish Language Association  defines the word as "conformity to rights and law, observing what is right." The institution also provides this definition: "Ensuring that rights possessed by law are exercised by everyone." If this is not ensured, then it means there is a great injustice there. If the law does not work the same way for everyone, if laws are not applied similarly for everyone, or if there are deep inequalities in society ranging from income distribution to access to health and food, it will not be possible to speak of justice. 

That is why Bertolt Brecht says, "Justice is the bread of the people." He continues his words by saying, "Just as bread is necessary every day, 

justice is also necessary every day, 

and it is necessary many times a day." 

Victor Hugo says, "It is easy to be good. What is difficult is to be just," and he is absolutely right. And for this very reason, the state of life and states themselves is pathetic. Because the world turns on action, not words. 

So what happens when there is no justice?  Let Aurelius answer this: "What is a state without justice but a great gang of thieves?"

From here, I would like to move on to the Islamic faith; as justice is emphasized in many verses and hadiths.

I share them with your permission.

Surah An-Nisa, Verse 58: 'Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due and when you judge between people to judge with justice.' 

According to the faith, failing to fulfill the requirements of the word while knowing the verse, I suppose, amounts to disregarding Allah. It is difficult to find any other explanation. 

What can we say, a belief in God that can be disregarded and violated...!

Let us continue.

Surah Al-Ma'idah, Verse 42: 'And if you judge, judge between them with justice. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.' 

It is obvious who will not be loved...

An-Nisa, 135: “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. So follow not [personal] inclination, lest you not be just. And if you distort [your testimony] or refuse [to give it], then indeed Allah is ever, with what you do, Acquainted.”

An approach to justice that is emphasized with underlined importance. If it is not accepted, one must question the state of the faith.

Al-Ma'idah, 8: “O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for Allah, witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do.”

It is stated that even your hatred should not lead you to injustice; the message is that clear.

It is also narrated that the Prophet said: "The oppressive head of state is among those who will receive the most severe punishment on the Day of Judgment."

Ali ibn Abi Talib also wrote the following in a decree to his governor, Malik al-Ashtar: “...Your most valuable provision is goodness. Love your people and treat them with mercy, be humble and balanced. BE JUST, whether it is a matter concerning yourself, your relatives, or those among the people you love and favor; never deviate from JUSTICE toward Allah and His servants. If you do not do this, you have committed oppression.”

“If there is no justice, there is oppression,” says Ali,  a statement that would be endorsed anywhere in the world..

Now let us come to the "trustees" (kayyım). In the dictionary, it means "someone who performs or undertakes a task."  As a legal term, it is defined as "a person appointed by a judge to perform legal transactions on behalf of individuals who are restricted, absent, etc." 

If it is necessary to remove someone from their position for various reasons and appoint someone else in their place, the first place we should look is justice. Therefore, we must ask: First, are the people who will make this appointment fair? Is the justice mechanism working correctly? Second, is this appointment in accordance with rights and the law?

If those who are to make the appointment are not fair and have disregarded justice, that is the first place where a "trustee" should be appointed; that is the first button, and if it is buttoned incorrectly, the rest will follow. Whether we look at it from a secular or religious perspective, if there is no justice, all decisions and practices will be under suspicion.

On the other hand, if those who appoint the trustees have come to power through elections as part of their duties, the remedy here lies in democracy. However, what happens if the conditions of democracy are strained and democratic mechanisms, from the Law on Political Parties to the electoral system, are thwarted? In this case, will we be able to view those in power through the lens of "democracy"? 

And what about the appointments/trustees they have implemented...?

In conclusion, we must say that justice is a value we need as much as bread and water for humanity, nature, and the world. Ancient history tells us this; the first principle to be protected is right, and adherence to that right. No matter which window we look at life through, we must first defend justice. For when its existence disappears, there is no right, no law, and not even God. It is not just me, but the "holy books" that say this as well.