Imam al-Qushayri on ‘Even If It Is Against Yourselves’ – Abdur Rahman’s Corner

Peace, one and all…

In a recent post, this poor one offered a few thoughts on the following Quranic verse:

‘You who believe, uphold justice and bear witness to God, even if it is against yourselves (anfussikum), your parents, or your close relatives. Whether the person is rich or poor, God can best take care of both. Refrain from following your own desire (al-hawa), so that you can act justly- if you distort or neglect justice, God is fully aware of what you do’ (Quran 4:135)

I wanted to share Imam al-Qushayri’s profoundly insightful commentary.

‘“Justice” (qisṭ) is being fair and equitable (ʿadl). “To be upright” for God in being fair and equitable is to uphold His rights against yourself and to seek the same from everyone over whom you have authority. This can be accomplished either through an exhortation to act kindly or a rebuke concerning something despicable, admonitions, direction to a legal issue or guidance to something that is the right thing to do (ḥaqq). The deepest realization of what is right and true (taḥqīq) will not touch the innermost self of one who holds back what is rightly due (ḥaqq) to God. The foundation of religion is to prefer the right of the Real (ḥaqq al-ḥaqq) over the right of created beings (ḥaqq al-khalq). Whoever prefers anyone—a father, mother, child, kinsman, or relation—to God, or holds back any portion due to Him, is not upright in justice’
al-Qushayri, Lata’if al-Isharat 4:135

It seems to this one, in this moment, that the path of Justice is the same path as that of Love, and thus they both lead us home the Real, the Source of all that is.

And our last prayer is in praise of God, Lord of all the worlds.