The Community on Friday

Adl by Sheikh Fattah

The concept of justice (‘Adl) occupies a foundational position in Islamic theology and ethics, serving as a lens through which the relationship between the Creator and creation is understood. In his insightful essay, “Adl – Justice and Decree,” originally published in the spring 1984 issue of the journal Nuradeen, Sheikh Fattah provides a concise yet profound exploration of this multi-faceted principle. Drawing extensively from the Holy Quran and the narrative traditions (ahadith) of the Ahlul Bayt – specifically Imam Ali and Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq—the author dismantles the complexities surrounding divine decree, free will, individual morality, and structural social justice. The text functions not merely as an academic exposition of theological doctrine, but as an ethical manifesto that bridges metaphysical truths with practical human responsibility.