Justice in Islamic civilization

Authorship: Dr. Saleh Al-Haibi The Judiciary in Islamic Civilization Introduction Indeed, the judiciary and the meanings encompassed by this word remain in the souls, leaving a clear and pure impression when heard, a meaning that is not hidden from the mind nor ignored by every seeker of truth and origin. The truth is that a society cannot be stable without a judiciary, and a kingdom cannot be justly established without justice. There is no meaning to social elevation, nor to civilizational progress, or any of those dazzling meanings desired by every living and free soul, without an honest and stable judicial system. For this reason, societies race and compete in establishing the foundations of justice, strengthening its pillars, and calling for its elevation, because one of the most important measures of a society’s or country’s leadership or delay in the march of civilization is the integrity, independence, and advancement of its judiciary. Our mention of the judiciary and how its greatness manifested in Islamic civilization reminds us of eras of administrative construction, human and urban development, which increased cumulatively, producing a judicial history that has become a model and a subject of reflection on how to establish, develop, and improve the foundations of justice in a way that aligns with the requirements of life and the realities of the present, while adhering to constants and not deviating from noble principles and meanings. All of the above prompted this research to address and explore the topic of Islamic civilization, studying it from a historical and analytical perspective, to shed light and unveil bright aspects and lofty connotations that hearts love, ears find comfort in, eyes recognize, and the rising generation is inspired by through numerous lessons and examples about the greatness of our judiciary and how it rose and prospered from era to era. This research is based on five chapters: A preliminary chapter; discussing the meaning of justice and the judiciary among Arabs before Islam, to understand the additions and shifts that occurred in the history of the judiciary institution in subsequent eras and ages. Chapter One; deals with the judiciary during the era of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), highlighting its most prominent features. Chapter Two; addresses the judiciary in the Rashidun era, focusing on the key features of justice during this period, especially in the reigns of Caliphs Abu Bakr and Omar. Chapter Three; discusses the judiciary in the Umayyad era, particularly during the reigns of Caliph Muawiya ibn Abi Sufyan and Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz, may Allah have mercy on him. Chapter Four; concentrates on the judiciary in the Abbasid era, its most important features, with a focus on administrative developments in the Abbasid capital Baghdad and other regions. The subject is large and complex; if we were to gather everything related to justice in Islamic civilization, it would be extensive. However, we preferred to select and focus on key points to clarify the idea, achieve the purpose, and derive lessons.