Al-ʿAdl -The Just One
The meaning of this name is the just one. He is the one from whom the work of justice emanates which is the opposite of injustice and inequity. The one who does not know his justice cannot know the just one, and the one who does not know his work cannot know his justice. In order to understand this characterization, one must have a comprehensive knowledge of the works of God Most High (ranging) from the highest kingdom of the heavens to the farthest reaches of the earth. (This knowledge results) “when one does not see a fault in the Beneficent Ones’ creation; and then looks again (at it). He sees no flaw. Then he looks yet again, and his sight returns unto him weakened and made dim,” having been dazzled by the Holy Lordship and bewildered by its symmetry and systematic order.
In this condition he loves (God) since he knows something of the “meanings” of God’s justice. This is because God created the parts of everything in existence, both the corporeal and the spiritual as well as the perfect and imperfect in their number, and gave to each one its own character. In doing this He showed His generosity. (He also) placed each one in the rank suitable to it, and in doing this He was just.
Man’s portion of Al-ʿAdl is well known. The first thing that is (incumbent) upon him in respect of the justice of his own attributes is that he makes appetite and anger prisoners under the command of his reason and religion. Whenever he causes reason to be subject to appetite and anger, he does wrong. In a general sense this is what is implied by justice in respect of his own person. The particular implications of it amount to compliance with all the requirements of the divine law.
In respect of all the members of his body, his justice requires that he use them in the way in which the divine law permits. If he happens to be numbered among the men of authority, His justice in respect of his people, his children and, beyond these, his subjects is well known.
In order to view this characterization (correctly), man’s sacred obligation is to have faith that God Most High is just so that he does not object to God’s planning, judgement and all of His actions, whether they agree with man’s desires or not, for everything that He does is just.
