What do you stand up for?
Standing up for someone or something can indicate fear, intimidation, respect, support, or even love. In Islamic teachings, standing up for truth and justice is a recurring theme. The youth of the cave (ashab al-kahf) serve as an exemplary model of standing up for the truth. They declared their faith in the face of oppression, proclaiming their loyalty to Allah SWT. Their unwavering stance in a time of trial highlights the importance of steadfastness in faith. Their story, as narrated in the Qur’an, emphasizes the significance of standing up for what is right, even when faced with severe opposition.
Allah warns against the hypocrites who stand deceitfully.
“Surely the hypocrites seek to deceive Allah, but He outwits them. When they stand up for prayer, they do it half-heartedly only to be seen by people—hardly remembering Allah at all” (4:142). This hypocrisy is condemned as it contravenes the sincerity and devotion that are essential in worship. The hypocrites’ actions are a stark reminder of the dangers of insincerity and the importance of genuine devotion in all acts of worship. It’s also a reminder that appearances do not necessarily equate with true devotion or spiritual success, and for the believers to see past external appearances.
Believers are called to stand in devotion.
“Guard strictly the prayers, especially the middle prayer, and stand in true devotion to Allah” (2:238). The Qur’an emphasizes the importance of observing the obligatory prayers and standing in true devotion to Allah, which contrasts with the previous verse about hypocrites who pray just so others will see them and presume they are devout. Amidst the Muslims of Madinah, they tried to hide their hypocrisy. Standing for Allah with devotion implies sincere focus, humble submissiveness, attentiveness of the heart, and guarding the prayer, performing it on time.
How Umar b. Abdul Aziz perceived justice.
One of the notable examples of standing for justice in Islamic history is Umar ibn Abdul Aziz. His dedication to justice is well-documented, and he is often cited as a paragon of just leadership in Islam. Umar’s tireless efforts to address the needs of his people, his humility, and his fear of failing his duties before Allah highlight the qualities of a just ruler. His example serves as an inspiration for those in positions of authority to prioritize justice and the well-being of their people.
Islamic justice is founded on the principle of balance. The word “mizaan” signifies God’s balance in the universe, emphasizing justice towards all creations, including nature and mankind. This concept of balance extends to all aspects of life, reminding believers of their responsibility to act justly in all matters. The idea of balance in the universe is a reflection of divine justice, where nothing is lacking, and there is no imbalance created by tending to one extreme or the other. Islamically, balance is connected to moderation, so for example, Islam teaches us to be generous, not stingy or extravagant (the two opposite extremes). Leaders should be authoritative, not weak and ineffectual but also not tyrannical; believers should be courageous, not cowardly or reckless. The principle of balance and moderation serves as a guide for believers to strive for justice in their personal lives and in their interactions with others. In any group, whether a family, political action group, or nation, the leader must set an example of standing for justice.
Fir’awn (Pharaoh) is a historical example of the opposite, a tyrannical leader. Despite receiving clear signs from Musa (Moses), he and his followers persisted in their arrogance, refusing to submit to the truth. Fir’awn’s story is a powerful reminder of the consequences of arrogance and tyranny. His refusal to accept the message of Musa and his continued oppression of his people led to his ultimate downfall. The Qur’an narrates how Fir’awn and his soldiers chased Musa and his followers to the sea, where they were ultimately destroyed. This story serves as a warning against the dangers of arrogance and the importance of humility and submission to divine guidance.
Like Fir’awn’s soldiers, many today align themselves with oppressive regimes, out of ignorance, political opportunism, or other venal self-serving interests. They expose their amoral and corrupted character by ignoring or justifying undeniable injustices. The contemporary political landscape often mirrors the ancient scenarios. American lawmakers from both houses of Congress giving a standing ovation, 29 times, for Netanyahu on July 24, a man accused of war crimes, starkly contrasts with the principles of justice. The American politicians’ applause during Netanyahu’s address symbolizes a grave moral sellout. These politicians, like Fir’awn’s soldiers, are willing to compromise their principles for personal or political gain, ignoring the evident injustices and atrocities being committed in Gaza. In fact, they cannot plead ignorance as the International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu for crimes against humanity and war crimes. Couple that with the fact that the International Court of Justice, on July 19, ruled that Israel’s occupation is “unlawful” and breaches international law as an apartheid state. The same court, the ICJ, issued an advisory opinion January 26 that Israel is committing a “plausible genocide.”
Allah SWT reminds us of the inevitable Day of Judgment and that He is, “Highly Exalted in rank, Lord of the Throne. He sends down the revelation by His command to whomever He wills of His servants to warn of the Day of Meeting—the Day all will appear; nothing about them will be hidden from Him. To whom belongs dominion this Day? To Allah—the One, the Supreme! This Day every soul will be rewarded for what it has done. No injustice today! Surely Allah is swift in reckoning” (40:15-17).
On that day, worldly power and influence will be meaningless, and true justice will prevail. Power will not be found in political connections, wealth, or social status, and the most arrogant and oppressive of this world will be the most humiliated and wretched in the afterlife. The Prophet (pbuh) said, “Allah will seize the earth and will roll up the heavens in His right hand; then He will say, ‘I am the Sovereign; where are the kings of the earth?’” (Bukhari). Muslims are urged to stand for justice and prepare for their meeting with Allah, addressing and engaging with social justice causes. This preparation involves fulfilling the rights of Allah and His creation, engaging in social advocacy, and raising future generations with a strong foundation of faith and commitment to justice.
May Allah bring every innocent child, woman, and man to testify on the Day of Judgment about those who made them suffer, who oppressed them or drove them out or killed them. And yet, let us not forget that He is, “… the knower of the unseen. Not escapes from Him an atom’s weight within the heavens or within the earth or smaller than that or greater, except that it is in a clear record” (34:3). In that we can take solace.
