Wisdom of The Holy Prophet — Page 77
PUBLIC AFFAIRS 77 JUSTICE Allah commands you to make over the trusts to those best fitted to discharge them and that when you judge b:::tween the people, you do it with justice (4. 59). Let not a people's hostility towards you incite you to act c0ntrary to justice; be always just, that is closest to righteousness (5. 9). * * * The Holy Prophet (peace be on him) said : 1. The hand of Allah supports the judge when. he administers justice, the hand of Allah supports the distri butor of charity when he distributes. 2. You may award penalties sparingly, but it is not permissible for a ruler to abolish them altogether. 3. Spare people punishment as far as you can and give them the benefit of every available plea--for it is better for a judge to err towards leniency rather than to err towards punishment. 4. When a judge strives diligently and arrives at the correct decision he has a double reward; if he strives diligently and makes a mistake he has a single reward, 5. When any of you is appointed to judicial office, he should take care not to pronounce judgment when he is in a temper; he shou!d maintain strict equality between the parties even in respect of seating, a look or a gesture. 6. When two persons come tp you so that you may decide between them, do not come to a decision until after you have heard both of them. 7. He who withholds evidence when he is called as a witness is as if he has borne false witness. 8. The testimony of a man's enemy has no worth nor the testimony of the members of his family and his servants. 9. Contending parties in a court of law must stand on an equal footing.