However...

However, for the seekers, the main goal is that they should tear the dark veils and penetrate into the world of light. “This is a Scripture We have revealed unto thee that thereby thou mayst bring forth mankind from darkness unto light.” (3) There is a big difference between a just man and a luminous man. The just man upholds justice for he regards it as his own duty, but the luminous man is himself the source of justice and justice is manifested by him.

One can understand this difference in the comparison between the mujtahids and ordinary men. An ordinary man tries to create within himself ijtihad through study; but as to those who have attained to the degree of ijtihad , the qualities of ijtihad are manifested within their thoughts and souls, the same qualities others attempt to create within them. What was said becomes manifest in the question and answer of the holy Prophet.

The Great Prophet was asked, “Although you are infallible, why are you so humble before God?” The Prophet answered, “Should I not be a grateful servant of God?” This means that the holy Prophet did not show humbleness in fear of divine punishment, but that he was humble before God because he had a sense of gratefulness. Therefore, justice is a goal for those who are in the middle of the path.

He, who attains light, does not consider a goal the upholding of justice but he is the personification of justice. Concerning such a person, the Holy Qur’an states, “And set for him a light wherein he walketh among men.” (4) Whereas the people in the middle of the path try to reach through justice a light by which they can live with people.

Justice Runs through the Entire Universe One of the sweetest fruits of Islamic thinking is that justice is not confined to one or several creatures but runs through and with the entire universe, even the Exalted Nature of the Almighty. It is appropriate to quote an example from the Holy Qur’an. In the Sura of Kahf (Cave), there is a mention of two gardens, which are both lush and green and bear many fruits.

The Holy Qur’an states in this regard, “Each of the gardens gave its fruit and withheld naught thereof.” (5) It must not be imagined that the use of the word “withheld” is metaphorical. It is neither metaphorical in word nor in transmission; it is neither an intellectual metaphor nor is it a literal metaphor. The garden is indeed just. The idea is that it performs its duty in the cosmos. All other creatures are founded upon justice like these two gardens.