Some Distinctive Features of Islam — Page 17
17 Islamic Concept of Justice I shall now cite a few important examples of Islamic principles, which perhaps need particular emphasis in the world today. The first concerns Islamic teaching in respect of equity and justice. Other religions do not present a comprehensive direction about the administration of justice and fair play, and even if they mention this at all, it is in terms that can scarcely be applicable to us today. In fact, some parts of these directions appear to conflict directly with the intellect and sensibilities of our age, and one cannot but conclude that these teachings have either become corrupted or were intended only for local and temporary application. As Judaism presents God as only the God of Israel to the exclusion of every one else, no wonder then, that it does not even in passing deal with the fundamental question of Human Rights as such. As for Hinduism it seems outright hostile not only to the non- Hindu but also to the Hindu of a low caste, hence narrowing further the field of God’s mercy to a much smaller section of the human race. Hinduism decrees: If a Brahmin is unable to return a loan to one of low caste, the other has no right to demand its return. Bu t if one of low caste is unable to return a loan taken from a Brahmin, he is to be made to work as a labourer for Brahmins till such time as he is able to pay back the loan in full. 34 Again, in Judaism we fail to detect a concept of justice toward one’s enemy. It is said: