Living The Quran
From Issue: 976 [Read full issue]
Counter Evil
Al-Maidah (The Table Spread) Sura 5: Verse 8
"O ye who believe! stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety: and fear Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do."
We witness daily that all over the world injustice is prevalent in many societies. People usually tolerate injustice either because they lack courage or fear the consequences of raising their voices. Some are keen to appease despotic regimes and tolerate the crimes committed by tyrants for purely material gain, and they do not want to upset the status quo. Nevertheless, it is an individual as well as the collective responsibility not to betray the truth and abandon the struggle to counter the forces of evil. One has to forego the short-term benefits and fight for what is right and support those who are standing up for justice. This is the clear message given in the above verse, that one should not deviate from justice even when dealing with one's enemies.
Compiled From:
"Treasures of the Qur'an: Surah al-Fatihah to Surah al-Mai'dah" - Abdur Rashid Siddiqui