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1 - ‘Adl (Rational Divine Justice)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 August 2014

Najam Haider
Najam Haider
Affiliation:
Barnard College, New York
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Summary

All Muslims believe that God is just. They differ, however, about the meaning and implications of this simple, succinct statement. The dominant Sunnī position (adopted from Ash‘arī theology) defines justice through God's actions and commands. These actions and commands are not bound by any human understanding of justice and can be understood only through revelation. Although it is possible to forward a rationale for a given divine command, such an endeavor is speculative, and its results are entirely conjectural. If a command seems reasonable, this is the product of mere coincidence. In the end, God is just by definition, and His actions and commands need not accord with human reason.

By contrast, most of the Shī‘a (relying on Mu‘tazilī theology) contend that God is just in a manner that can be rationally understood by human beings. It is possible to ascertain the reasons for God's actions because they must align with human notions of justice. Divine commands must likewise accord with the basic postulates of reason. Cases in which explanations are not evident result from a failure to apply reason in an adequate manner. God is just, and this justice is rationally intelligible.

Type
Chapter
Information
Shi'i Islam
An Introduction
 , pp. 18 - 30
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2014

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References

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