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Being fair even when it is hard

Justice & fairness

'Adl means giving everyone exactly what is due to them — no more, no less — even when the person you must be fair to is someone you do not like, and even when being fair costs you something. Children meet 'adl long before they meet courts: sharing a snack, taking turns, telling the truth about who started it, not joining in when a classmate is picked on. These five lessons are built on the hadith of the just being on thrones of light, the hadith Qudsi in which Allah forbids oppression for Himself, the command to help your brother whether he is the wrongdoer or the wronged, the hadith that the dua of the wronged is never refused, and the hadith in which the Prophet ﷺ told a father to be just between his children. Every point carries its ayah or hadith reference.

A perfectly balanced gold clay balance scale resting on a sage clay platform
A glowing gold clay lantern on a cream clay pedestal against a sage background

Lesson 1 · 'Adl · ages 8-11

Allah loves those who are fair

Fairness is not just a nice habit — Allah commands it, and the Prophet ﷺ said the fair will be near Allah on thrones of light.

  1. Allah's own command

    Allah orders justice, doing good, and giving to relatives — it is the first thing named in the ayah, not the last.

  2. Thrones of light

    The Prophet ﷺ said those who are fair — in their decisions, with their families, and with anyone under their care — will be near Allah on thrones of light.

  3. Fair even against yourself

    Allah tells the believers to be witnesses in justice even if the truth goes against themselves or their own family.

  4. Do not let feelings bend the truth

    Allah says not to let dislike of a people push you into being unfair — 'be just, that is nearer to piety'.

  5. Fairness starts small

    Turn-taking, splitting a snack, admitting who really broke the cup — these are the practice ground for 'adl.

Surah An-Nahl · 16:90

۞ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَأْمُرُ بِٱلْعَدْلِ وَٱلْإِحْسَٰنِ وَإِيتَآئِ ذِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَيَنْهَىٰ عَنِ ٱلْفَحْشَآءِ وَٱلْمُنكَرِ وَٱلْبَغْىِ ۚ يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ

Innal laaha yaamaru bil 'adli wal ihsaani wa eetaaa'i zil qurbaa wa yanhaa 'anil fahshaaa'i wal munkari walbagh-i' ya'izukum la'allakum tazakkkaroon

“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.”

Surah An-Nisaa · 4:135

۞ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُونُوا۟ قَوَّٰمِينَ بِٱلْقِسْطِ شُهَدَآءَ لِلَّهِ وَلَوْ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَوِ ٱلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ وَٱلْأَقْرَبِينَ ۚ إِن يَكُنْ غَنِيًّا أَوْ فَقِيرًۭا فَٱللَّهُ أَوْلَىٰ بِهِمَا ۖ فَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا۟ ٱلْهَوَىٰٓ أَن تَعْدِلُوا۟ ۚ وَإِن تَلْوُۥٓا۟ أَوْ تُعْرِضُوا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرًۭا

Yaa aiyuhal lazeena aamanoo koonoo qawwa ameena bilqisti shuhadaaa'a lillaahi wa law 'alaa anfusikum awil waalidaini wal aqrabeen iny yakun ghaniyyan aw faqeeran fallaahu awlaa bihimaa falaaa tattabi'ul hawaaa an ta'diloo; wa in talwooo aw tu'ridoo fa innal laaha kaana bimaa ta'maloona Khabeera

“O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives. Whether one is rich or poor, Allah is more worthy of both. So follow not [personal] inclination, lest you not be just. And if you distort [your testimony] or refuse [to give it], then indeed Allah is ever, with what you do, Acquainted.”

Surah Al-Maaida · 5:8

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُونُوا۟ قَوَّٰمِينَ لِلَّهِ شُهَدَآءَ بِٱلْقِسْطِ ۖ وَلَا يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَـَٔانُ قَوْمٍ عَلَىٰٓ أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا۟ ۚ ٱعْدِلُوا۟ هُوَ أَقْرَبُ لِلتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ خَبِيرٌۢ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ

Yaaa aiyuhal lazeena aamaanoo koonoo qawwaa meena lillaahi shuhadaaa'a bilqist, wa laa yajrimannakum shana aanu qawmin 'alaaa allaa ta'diloo; i'diloo; huwa aqrabu littaqwaa wattaqul laah; innal laaha khabeerum bimaa ta'maloon

“O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for Allah, witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do.”

“Those who are fair and just will be near to Allah on thrones of light, at the Right Hand of the Most Merciful — those who are fair and just in their rulings and towards their families and those who are under their authority.”

Sahih Muslim 1827

Do this before next time

Find one moment today where being fair costs you something small — do it anyway and tell a parent about it.

A cream clay brick wall with one crooked brick being pushed back into line on a sage clay base

Lesson 2 · Zulm · ages 8-11

What zulm really means

Zulm is putting something where it does not belong: taking what is not yours, blaming the wrong person, hurting someone who cannot answer back.

  1. Allah forbade it for Himself

    In a hadith Qudsi, Allah says: 'O My servants, I have forbidden oppression for Myself and have made it forbidden amongst you, so do not oppress one another.'

  2. It has a shape you can spot

    Taking someone's turn, keeping something you borrowed, telling a story that makes someone look bad — all are zulm, however small.

  3. Speak justly, even about family

    Allah says: when you speak, be just, even if it concerns a near relative.

  4. Zulm is not erased by silence

    Wrongs between people need to be put right with the person, not only with a private istighfar.

  5. Giving back is part of stopping

    If you took, return it; if you said it, correct it; if you broke it, replace or admit it.

Surah Al-An'aam · 6:152

وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا۟ مَالَ ٱلْيَتِيمِ إِلَّا بِٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحْسَنُ حَتَّىٰ يَبْلُغَ أَشُدَّهُۥ ۖ وَأَوْفُوا۟ ٱلْكَيْلَ وَٱلْمِيزَانَ بِٱلْقِسْطِ ۖ لَا نُكَلِّفُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا ۖ وَإِذَا قُلْتُمْ فَٱعْدِلُوا۟ وَلَوْ كَانَ ذَا قُرْبَىٰ ۖ وَبِعَهْدِ ٱللَّهِ أَوْفُوا۟ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ وَصَّىٰكُم بِهِۦ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ

Wa laa taqraboo maalal yateemi illaa billatee hiyaa ahsanu hattaa yablugha ashuddahoo wa awful kaila walmeezaana bilqisti laa nukallifu nafsan illaa wus'ahaa wa izaa qultum fa'diloo wa law kaana zaa qurbaa wa bi 'ahdil laahi awfoo; zaalikum wassaakum bihee la'allakum tazakkarron

“And do not approach the orphan's property except in a way that is best until he reaches maturity. And give full measure and weight in justice. We do not charge any soul except [with that within] its capacity. And when you testify, be just, even if [it concerns] a near relative. And the covenant of Allah fulfill. This has He instructed you that you may remember.”

Surah Ash-Shura · 42:42

إِنَّمَا ٱلسَّبِيلُ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ يَظْلِمُونَ ٱلنَّاسَ وَيَبْغُونَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ ٱلْحَقِّ ۚ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌۭ

Innamas sabeelu 'alal lazeena yazlimoonan naasa wa yabghoona fil ardi bighairil haqq; ulaaa'ika lahum 'azaabun aleem

“The cause is only against the ones who wrong the people and tyrannize upon the earth without right. Those will have a painful punishment.”

Surah An-Nisaa · 4:110

وَمَن يَعْمَلْ سُوٓءًا أَوْ يَظْلِمْ نَفْسَهُۥ ثُمَّ يَسْتَغْفِرِ ٱللَّهَ يَجِدِ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورًۭا رَّحِيمًۭا

Wa mai ya'mal sooo'an aw yazlim nafsahoo summa yastaghfiril laaha yajidil laaha Ghafoorar Raheemaa

“And whoever does a wrong or wrongs himself but then seeks forgiveness of Allah will find Allah Forgiving and Merciful.”

“O My servants, I have forbidden oppression for Myself and have made it forbidden amongst you, so do not oppress one another.”

Sahih Muslim 2577

Do this before next time

Think of one thing you are still holding that belongs to someone else — give it back before the next lesson.

A sage clay umbrella sheltering a small cream clay pot with a green clay sapling, gold clay pebbles below

Lesson 3 · Nasr · ages 12-15

Standing with the one being wronged

Helping your brother means protecting the one being wronged — and also stopping the one doing the wronging, because that saves him too.

  1. Help him either way

    The Prophet ﷺ said: 'Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or he is oppressed.'

  2. How you help a wrongdoer

    The Companions asked how; he ﷺ answered: by preventing him from oppressing others.

  3. Silence is a choice

    Watching a classmate be mocked and saying nothing is a decision, not neutrality.

  4. Safe ways to step in

    Stand beside the person, change the subject, walk them away, tell an adult who can act.

  5. Loyalty is not covering wrong

    Real friendship stops a friend from doing something he will be answerable for.

Surah Al-Maaida · 5:2

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تُحِلُّوا۟ شَعَٰٓئِرَ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا ٱلشَّهْرَ ٱلْحَرَامَ وَلَا ٱلْهَدْىَ وَلَا ٱلْقَلَٰٓئِدَ وَلَآ ءَآمِّينَ ٱلْبَيْتَ ٱلْحَرَامَ يَبْتَغُونَ فَضْلًۭا مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ وَرِضْوَٰنًۭا ۚ وَإِذَا حَلَلْتُمْ فَٱصْطَادُوا۟ ۚ وَلَا يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَـَٔانُ قَوْمٍ أَن صَدُّوكُمْ عَنِ ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْحَرَامِ أَن تَعْتَدُوا۟ ۘ وَتَعَاوَنُوا۟ عَلَى ٱلْبِرِّ وَٱلتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا۟ عَلَى ٱلْإِثْمِ وَٱلْعُدْوَٰنِ ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ

Yaaa aiyuhal lazeena aamanoo laa tuhilloo sha'aaa 'iral laahi wa lash Shahral Haraama wa lal hadya wa lal qalaaa'ida wa laa aaammeenal Baital Haraama yabtaghoona fadlam mir Rabbihim wa ridwaanaa; wa izaa halaltum fastaadoo; wa laa yajrimannakum shana aanu qawmin an saddookum 'anil Masjidil-Haraami an ta'tadoo; wa ta'aawanoo 'alalbirri wattaqwaa; wa laa ta'aawanoo 'alal ismi wal'udwaan; wattaqul laah; innal laaha shadeedul 'iqaab

“O you who have believed, do not violate the rites of Allah or [the sanctity of] the sacred month or [neglect the marking of] the sacrificial animals and garlanding [them] or [violate the safety of] those coming to the Sacred House seeking bounty from their Lord and [His] approval. But when you come out of ihram, then [you may] hunt. And do not let the hatred of a people for having obstructed you from al-Masjid al-Haram lead you to transgress. And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty.”

Surah An-Nisaa · 4:75

وَمَا لَكُمْ لَا تُقَٰتِلُونَ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱلْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَ مِنَ ٱلرِّجَالِ وَٱلنِّسَآءِ وَٱلْوِلْدَٰنِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَآ أَخْرِجْنَا مِنْ هَٰذِهِ ٱلْقَرْيَةِ ٱلظَّالِمِ أَهْلُهَا وَٱجْعَل لَّنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ وَلِيًّۭا وَٱجْعَل لَّنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ نَصِيرًا

Wa maa lakum laa tuqaatiloona fee sabeelil laahi walmustad'afeena minar rijaali wannisaaa'i walwildaanil lazeena yaqooloona Rabbanaaa akhrijnaa min haazihil qaryatiz zaalimi ahluhaa waj'al lanaa mil ladunka waliyanw waj'al lanaa mil ladunka naseeraa

“And what is [the matter] with you that you fight not in the cause of Allah and [for] the oppressed among men, women, and children who say, "Our Lord, take us out of this city of oppressive people and appoint for us from Yourself a protector and appoint for us from Yourself a helper?"”

“Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or he is an oppressed one. They asked: How should we help him if he is an oppressor? He said: By preventing him from oppressing others.”

Sahih al-Bukhari 2444

Do this before next time

Agree one sentence with a parent that you can say out loud next time you see someone being picked on.

A cream clay cloud with a slender gold clay arrow rising through a gap in it against a sage sky

Lesson 4 · Mazlum · ages 12-15

The dua of the wronged

When someone is wronged and turns to Allah, that dua is not turned away — which is the strongest reason never to be the one who wronged them.

  1. Three duas not refused

    The Prophet ﷺ named three whose supplication is not rejected: the fasting person when he breaks his fast, the just leader, and the one who has been wronged.

  2. It rises above the clouds

    In the same hadith, Allah raises the dua of the wronged above the clouds and opens the gates of heaven to it.

  3. 'Even if it takes a while'

    The Lord says: 'By My might, I shall surely aid you, even if it should be after a while' — justice may be slow, never lost.

  4. If you are the wronged one

    Ask Allah rather than taking revenge; you are allowed to seek your right, not to invent a new wrong.

  5. If you did the wronging

    Go and make it right with the person now, while it is still easy to fix.

Surah Ash-Shura · 42:41

وَلَمَنِ ٱنتَصَرَ بَعْدَ ظُلْمِهِۦ فَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ مَا عَلَيْهِم مِّن سَبِيلٍ

Wa lamanin tasara ba'da zulmihee fa ulaaa'ika maa 'alaihim min sabeel

“And whoever avenges himself after having been wronged - those have not upon them any cause [for blame].”

Surah Ghafir · 40:60

وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ٱدْعُونِىٓ أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِى سَيَدْخُلُونَ جَهَنَّمَ دَاخِرِينَ

Wa qaala Rabbukumud 'ooneee astajib lakum; innal lazeena yastakbiroona an 'ibaadatee sa yadkhuloona jahannama daakhireen

“And your Lord says, "Call upon Me; I will respond to you." Indeed, those who disdain My worship will enter Hell [rendered] contemptible.”

“There are three whose supplication is not rejected: the fasting person when he breaks his fast, the just leader, and the supplication of the oppressed person; Allah raises it up above the clouds and opens the gates of heaven to it.”

Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3598

Do this before next time

Learn the dua of asking Allah for help by heart and use it instead of hitting back this week.

Three identical cream clay gift boxes of equal size with gold clay ribbons in a row on a sage clay platform

Lesson 5 · At home · ages 5-7

Fair between brothers and sisters

The Prophet ﷺ told a father who had given a gift to only one son to fear Allah and be just between his children — fairness begins in the house.

  1. The story of Nu'man's gift

    Nu'man bin Bashir's father gave him a gift; when the Prophet ﷺ heard that his other children had not been given the like, he told him to be just to his children — and the gift was taken back.

  2. Equal, not identical

    Being fair means nobody is left out; it does not mean every child needs the same object.

  3. Fair with turns and time

    Whose turn on the screen, who sits in front, who chooses the story — take turns properly and out loud.

  4. Do not carry tales

    Retelling a sibling's mistake to get them in trouble is not fairness, it is zulm dressed up as honesty.

  5. Parents can be asked kindly

    If something feels unfair at home, say it calmly and privately rather than sulking.

Surah An-Nisaa · 4:58

۞ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَن تُؤَدُّوا۟ ٱلْأَمَٰنَٰتِ إِلَىٰٓ أَهْلِهَا وَإِذَا حَكَمْتُم بَيْنَ ٱلنَّاسِ أَن تَحْكُمُوا۟ بِٱلْعَدْلِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ نِعِمَّا يَعِظُكُم بِهِۦٓ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ سَمِيعًۢا بَصِيرًۭا

Innal laaha yaamurukum an tu'addul amaanaati ilaaa ahlihaa wa izaa hakamtum bainan naasi an tahkumoo bil 'adl; innal laaha yaamurukum an tu'addul amaanaati ilaaa ahlihaa wa izaa hakamtum bainan naasi an tahkumoo bil 'adl; innal laaha ni'immaa ya'izukum bih; innal laaha kaana Samee'am Baseera

“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.”

“Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) asked, 'Have you given the like of it to every one of your sons?' He replied in the negative. He said, 'Be afraid of Allah, and be just to your children.'”

Sahih al-Bukhari 2587

Do this before next time

Take one proper turn-taking decision with a sibling today without an adult having to sort it out.

Every ayah on this page comes from the Tanzil Uthmani text of the Qur'an with the Sahih International translation, and every hadith carries its collection and number so you can check it yourself. Back to the learning path

Next on this shelf: Akhlaq — good character — 8 lessons.

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