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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Discursive Theology Volume 1 Lesson 20: The Divine Justice and Wisdom The Literal and Technical Meanings of Justice In Arabic lexicons, various meanings or usages of ‘adl (justice) are mentioned, and the most important of them are equilibrium and proportionality, equality and fairness, balance or observance of moderation in the affairs, equality and constancy.[^1] In any case, the totality of the said meanings or usages is that every thing must be located in its proper place such that it acquires its due and suitable share from the universe and its excellences and it does not infringe upon the right and share of others.
It can be said, therefore, that the statement of Imām ‘Alī ( ‘a ) in defining justice – “Justice puts things in their places”[^2] – is the most accurate expression in this regard. The expression “to put all things in their proper places and to grant rights to their owners” which the philosophers have used in defining justice[^3] expresses the said point.
Mawlawī [Rūmī] has expressed the above meaning in the following parable: عدل چه بود؟ وضع اندر موضعش ظلم چه بود؟ وضع در ناموضعش عدل چه بود؟ آب ده اشجار را ظلم چه بود؟ آب دادن خار را What is justice? To put [a thing] in its [right] place. What is injustice? To put it in its wrong place. [^4] What is justice? Giving water to trees. What is injustice? To give water to thorns.
As a result, on account of being placed in their right places, all of them are equal.’”[^6] The ‘Allāmah has also added, thus: “It becomes clear from what has been said that justice is concomitant with goodness because goodness and beauty in the things mean that every thing is such that a person is desirous of, and attracted to it.
It is evident that putting every thing in its proper place necessitates such beauty.” ^7 Justice in the Parlance of Theologians The concept of justice in the parlance of theology is that it is God’s Action, and its essence is goodness.