So, the Prophet (SA) brought forth Sa'd and asked the Jews...

So, the Prophet (SA) brought forth Sa'd and asked the Jews again whether they would be pleased with the judgment of Sa'd in their regards?! They answered yes in consensus, so the Prophet (SA) said to Sa'd: "Issue your verdict on them Oh Sa'd!" Sa'd was, at that time, very ill and in pain and he said, "I sentence that their fighters be executed, their women and progeny be taken as captives, and their properties be distributed among the Muslims.

The Jews were stunned and the Prophet (SA) said to Sa'd, "God is Great! By Allah, you have judged them with what Allah (SWT) has judged from above the seven heavens, Oh Sa'd!" From this statement of the Holy Prophet (SA), it is clear that the verdict of Sa'd in this case coincides with Allah's verdict. It may not have coincided if Sa'd ruled otherwise! Therefore, human verdict may agree or disagree with the divine.

So, any ruling, verdict, judgment, sentence, or decision in this life may coincide with that of Allah (SWT), and that is very rare. And it may not, and that is most common. It is only what coincides with Allah’s judgment that incorrect and valid in the heavens and on earth. As for those which do not, it is then invalid in the heavens even if it has been passed and carried out on earth. If Allah’s judgment is applied on earth then justice has been established.

If that is due to faith in Allah (SWT) and obedience to His commands, then that is justice and true faith (Iman) and the parties involved (whether the judge or the one is being judged) will be rewarded in this life and the Hereafter.

And if the verdict accidentally coincides with Allah’s judgment or is made simply due to conviction to that appropriate judgment or mere human justice and righteousness, then that is also justice, but it is not considered to be true faith and the parties involved will not be rewarded in the Hereafter, although they may receive the reward of the justice in this life. We have to clearly distinguish between the two cases.

Another example demonstrating this is when the Muslims nation finally gave their pledge of allegiance to Imam Ali (AS) for the caliphate. Was that in obedience to the command of Allah (SWT)? No, it was only due to special circumstances and instability caused after the assassination of Uthman, the previous Caliph. Therefore, even though the intentions were merely according to the principles of this world, it was not due to heavenly and spiritual faith. Previous…