Peace and Justice among Muslims: A Quranic Perspective

وَإِن طَاۤىِٕفَتَانِ مِنَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِینَ ٱقۡتَتَلُوا۟ فَأَصۡلِحُوا۟ بَیۡنَهُمَاۖ فَإِنۢ بَغَتۡ إِحۡدَىٰهُمَا عَلَى ٱلۡأُخۡرَىٰ فَقَـٰتِلُوا۟ ٱلَّتِی تَبۡغِی حَتَّىٰ تَفِیۤءَ إِلَىٰۤ أَمۡرِ ٱللَّهِۚ فَإِن فَاۤءَتۡ فَأَصۡلِحُوا۟ بَیۡنَهُمَا بِٱلۡعَدۡلِ وَأَقۡسِطُوۤا۟ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ یُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُقۡسِطِینَ

And if two groups of Muslims fight against each other, reconcile them; and if one of them oppresses the other, fight against the oppressor till it returns to the command of Allah; then if it returns, reconcile between them with justice, and be fair; indeed Allah loves the equitable.

 This verse is about the duty of Muslims to maintain peace and justice among themselves. It instructs them to reconcile between two groups of believers who are in conflict, and to resist the one who is unjust or oppressive until it submits to the command of Allah. Then, it urges them to make peace between them with fairness and equity, as Allah loves those who are just and fair.

Some possible interpretations of this verse in the light of reality, social and personal life are:

- It shows the importance of unity and harmony among Muslims, and the need to avoid disputes and divisions that weaken their faith and solidarity.

- It teaches the value of mediation and arbitration as means of resolving conflicts peacefully and amicably, rather than resorting to violence or hostility.

- It encourages the Muslims to stand up for justice and truth, and to oppose tyranny and oppression, whether it comes from within or outside their community.

- It reminds the Muslims to be balanced and impartial in their dealings with others, and to follow the guidance of Allah in all matters.

A phrase by phrase translation of the verse is:

وَإِن طَاۤىِٕفَتَانِ مِنَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِینَ ٱقۡتَتَلُوا۟ = And if two groups of the believers fight
فَأَصۡلِحُوا۟ بَیۡنَهُمَا = then make peace between them
فَإِنۢ بَغَتۡ إِحۡدَىٰهُمَا عَلَى ٱلۡأُخۡرَىٰ = but if one of them oppresses the other
فَقَـٰتِلُوا۟ ٱلَّتِی تَبۡغِی = then fight the one that oppresses
حَتَّىٰ تَفِیۤءَ إِلَىٰۤ أَمۡرِ ٱللَّهِ = until it returns to the command of Allah
فَإِن فَاۤءَتۡ = then if it returns
فَأَصۡلِحُوا۟ بَیۡنَهُمَا بِٱلۡعَدۡلِ = then make peace between them with justice
وَأَقۡسِطُوۤا۟ = and act equitably
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ یُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُقۡسِطِین = indeed Allah loves the equitable.

 The Quran is the primary source of guidance for Muslims, and it contains many verses that emphasize the importance of peace and justice in Islam. Peace and justice are not only moral values, but also divine commands that Muslims must follow in their personal and social lives. Here are some examples of Quranic verses that illustrate the Islamic call for peace and justice:

One of the verses that urges Muslims to be just and fair is [Quran, 5:8], which says: 

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُونُوا قَوَّامِينَ لِلَّهِ شُهَدَاءَ بِالْقِسْطِ وَلَا يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَآنُ قَوْمٍ عَلَى أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا اعْدِلُوا هُوَ أَقْرَبُ لِلتَّقْوَى وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ 

"O you who believe, be upright for God, and be bearers of witness with justice!" 

This verse shows that being a believing Muslim is not a passive act, but an active one that requires standing up for the truth and defending the rights of others, even if it goes against one's own interests or preferences.

Another verse that highlights the value of justice in Islam is [Quran, 16:90], which says: 

إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالْإِحْسَانِ وَإِيتَاءِ ذِي الْقُرْبَى وَيَنْهَى عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنْكَرِ وَالْبَغْيِ يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ

Indeed, Allah orders justice and good conduct and giving to relatives and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression. He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded. [16:90]

This verse indicates that justice is not only a human virtue, but also a divine command that Muslims must obey in all their affairs. Justice means treating others with respect, dignity, and equality, regardless of their race, gender, religion, or status.

A third verse that demonstrates the importance of justice in Islam is [Quran, 55:7-9], which says: 

وَالسَّمَاءَ رَفَعَهَا وَوَضَعَ الْمِيزَانَ [55:7]

أَلَّا تَطْغَوْا فِي الْمِيزَانِ [55:8]

وَأَقِيمُوا الْوَزْنَ بِالْقِسْطِ وَلَا تُخْسِرُوا الْمِيزَانَ [55:9]

"And the heaven He raised and imposed the balance. That you not transgress the balance. And establish weight in justice and do not make deficient the balance." 

This verse shows that justice is a tool to maintain balance and harmony in the universe, and that Muslims must not disturb this balance by being unjust or oppressive to others. Justice also means being honest and accurate in one's dealings and transactions, and not cheating or deceiving others.

A fourth verse that instructs Muslims to be just and fair is [Quran, 4:58], which says: 

إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَنْ تُؤَدُّوا الْأَمَانَاتِ إِلَى أَهْلِهَا وَإِذَا حَكَمْتُمْ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ أَنْ تَحْكُمُوا بِالْعَدْلِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ نِعِمَّا يَعِظُكُمْ بِهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ سَمِيعًا بَصِيرًا 

"Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due and when you judge between people to judge with justice. Excellent is that which Allah instructs you. Indeed, Allah is ever Hearing and Seeing." 

This verse shows that justice is a responsibility that Muslims must fulfill in their roles as trustees, judges, leaders, or witnesses. Justice also means being accountable and transparent in one's actions and decisions, and not abusing one's power or authority.

A fifth verse that assures Muslims of Allah's justice is [Quran, 4:40], which says: 

إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَظْلِمُ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ وَإِنْ تَكُ حَسَنَةً يُضَاعِفْهَا وَيُؤْتِ مِنْ لَدُنْهُ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا 

"Indeed, Allah does not do injustice, [even] as much as an atom's weight; while if there is a good deed, He multiplies it and gives from Himself a great reward." 

This verse shows that Allah is the ultimate source of justice, and that He does not wrong anyone or overlook any deed. Justice also means trusting in Allah's wisdom and mercy, and hoping for His reward in the hereafter.

These are some of the verses that illustrate the Islamic call for peace and justice. Peace and justice are essential elements of Islam, and Muslims must strive to uphold them in their lives. Peace and justice are not only beneficial for individuals and societies, but also pleasing to Allah, who loves those who are just and fair.