**Islam and Social Justice: A Sacred Duty for All**
At the heart of Islam lies a powerful and enduring commitment to social justice—not as a modern political slogan, but as a sacred duty rooted in faith itself. According to Dr. Nazir Khan’s paper “A Sacred Duty: Islam and Social Justice,” justice in Islam is deeply spiritual, woven into the believer’s relationship with God and their responsibility toward humanity.
Islam teaches that every human being is a custodian (khalīfa) of the Earth, entrusted by God to uphold fairness, protect the vulnerable, and oppose oppression. This isn’t optional—it’s a divine mandate. The Qur’an and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ repeatedly emphasize standing with the oppressed, speaking truth to power, and ensuring that everyone receives their rightful due (ḥuqūq). In fact, the Prophet once said the most noble act of struggle is “to speak a truthful word in the presence of a tyrannical ruler.”
One of the clearest expressions of this commitment is zakāh—the obligatory annual charity where Muslims with sufficient wealth give 2.5% of their assets to those in need. But Islam doesn’t stop there. Beyond formal charity, Muslims are encouraged to give freely (ṣadaqah) to people of all faiths. The Prophet himself supported a Jewish household, showing that compassion transcends religious boundaries. Early Muslim leaders even created social welfare systems, like providing stipends to new mothers—a systemic approach to poverty alleviation centuries ahead of its time.
The Islamic vision of justice extends to every corner of society. The faith strongly advocates for the rights of orphans, enslaved people (with a major emphasis on emancipation), people with disabilities, and marginalized ethnic groups. The Qur’an famously declares: “O humankind, We created you from male and female and made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another. Indeed, the most honorable of you in the sight of God is the most pious.” The Prophet reinforced this by stating that no Arab is superior to a non-Arab, nor a white person to a Black person—only righteousness matters.
Women’s rights also underwent a revolutionary shift with Islam. In 7th-century Arabia, women were often treated as property. Islam affirmed their dignity, granted them rights to inheritance, marriage consent, and education—and women quickly rose as scholars, teachers, and public figures. Aisha, the Prophet’s wife, taught hundreds of students and became one of the most respected scholars in Islamic history.
Importantly, Islam sees injustice (ẓulm) as a form of spiritual darkness. The Prophet warned that “injustice will become darkness on the Day of Judgment.” Conversely, working for justice brings one closer to God, who is described as “the Light of the Heavens and the Earth.” Thus, social justice in Islam isn’t just about policy—it’s a path to spiritual light.
In short, Islam frames justice as both an individual and collective obligation. Whether through charity, advocacy, inclusive community-building, or personal integrity, every Muslim is called to be a force for fairness and compassion in the world. As the Prophet asked: “How would God sanctify a nation that does not protect its underprivileged from its powerful?” For Muslims, the answer is clear: true faith demands action for justice. ….more
