How Does Trustworthiness Contribute to Social Justice in Islam?

Answered by Shaykh Abdul Sami‘ al-Yakti

Question

What role does trustworthiness play in achieving social justice in Islam?

Answer

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. Blessings and peace be upon the Master of the Messengers, his Family, and all his Companions.

The Role of Trustworthiness in Social Justice

Trustworthiness plays a crucial role in achieving social justice within a Muslim society by ensuring equal opportunities and placing the right person in the right position.

It involves each member of society fulfilling their responsibilities in accordance with Islamic teachings, thereby preventing harm, injustice, and the loss of rights and resources. All these principles are emphasized in the sacred texts, and Allah knows best.

Examples

Here are a few examples of trustworthiness in achieving social justice:

Placing the Right Person in the Right Position

When a person is appointed to a position based on their expertise and experience, regardless of their social status or connections, this is an act of trustworthiness. Neglecting this principle is a betrayal of social justice, which is often referred to today as the principle of equal opportunity.

Abu Hurayra (Allah be pleased with him) reported that while the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) was talking to a group of people, a Bedouin came and asked, “When will the Hour be?” The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) continued his talk. Some people said that the Prophet had heard the question but disliked it, while others said that he had not heard it. When the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) finished his speech, he asked,

“Where is the one who asked about the Hour?” The Bedouin said, “Here I am, O Messenger of Allah.” The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “When trustworthiness is lost, then wait for the Hour.” He asked, “How will it be lost, O Messenger of Allah?” He said, “When authority is given to those who are not qualified, then wait for the Hour” [Bukhari]

Fulfilling Responsibilities Justly

When individuals in positions of responsibility fulfill their duties in accordance with Islamic law, whether in public or private dealings, they act justly—for instance, a judge who is fair between disputants, returns rights to their owners, and prevents injustice. This is an act of trustworthiness.

Trustworthiness of Leaders and Rulers

This includes the highest leader, the ruler, or those in charge of the affairs of Muslims at all levels in matters related to protecting people’s wealth, lives, bodies, and minds and safeguarding them from anything harmful. The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:

“There are seven whom Allah will shade in His shade on the Day when there is no shade but His: a just ruler, a youth who grew up in the worship of Allah…” [Bukhari; Muslim]

Similarly, Ibn ‘Umar (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:

“All of you are guardians and are responsible for your wards. The ruler is a guardian and responsible for his subjects; the man is a guardian and responsible for his family; the woman is a guardian and is responsible for her husband’s house and his offspring; and so all of you are guardians and are responsible for your wards.” [Ibid.]

All these responsibilities are forms of trustworthiness, and safeguarding them is key to achieving social justice. And Allah knows best.

Conclusion

Achieving social justice is realized by giving everyone their due rights while fulfilling responsibilities and obligations. Let us strive to uphold these principles, as explained above, and Allah is the One who grants success.

Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Abdul Sami‘ al-Yakti

Shaykh Abdul Sami‘ al-Yaqti is a Syrian scholar born in Aleppo in 1977. He obtained his degree in Shari‘a from the Shari‘a Faculty of Damascus University, a Diploma in Educational Qualification from the Faculty of Education at Aleppo University, and a Diploma in Shari‘a and a Master’s in Shari‘a from the Faculty of Sharia, and Law at Omdurman University in Sudan. He is currently writing his doctoral thesis.

He studied under esteemed scholars such as Shaykh Abdul Rahman al-Shaghouri, Shaykh Mustafa al-Turkmani, and Shaykh Dr. Nur al-Din Itr, among others. Shaykh al-Yakti has worked in teaching and cultural guidance in orphanages and high schools in Aleppo. He served as an Imam, Khatib, and reciter at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi and as a certified trainer for Khatibs in Abu Dhabi’s Khatib Qualification Program.

He is involved in developing and teaching a youth education program at Seekers Arabic for Islamic Sciences.

Among Shaykh al-Yaqti’s significant works are “Imam al-Haramayn al-Juwayni: Bayna Ilm al-Kalam Wa Usul al-Fiqh” and the program “The Messenger of Allah Among Us (Allah bless him and give him peace).”