[Talk presented 14 November 2001 by Darren Hiebert at the Birmingham Bahá’í Center]
by Darren Hiebert
These are the appointed days which ye have been yearningly awaiting in the
past--the days of the advent of divine justice. Render ye thanks unto
God, O ye concourse of believers.
(Selections from the Writings of the Báb, p. 161)
Outline
Citation legend
| Consultation | = Consultation: A Compilation |
| ESW | = Epistle to the Son of the Wolf |
| GWB | = Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh |
| HWA | = Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh, from the Arabic |
| KA | = Kitáb-i-Aqdas |
| PB | = Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh |
| TB | = Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh revealed after the Kitáb-i-Aqdas |
Text
Importance of Justice
Let us first examine some of the scriptural passages which emphasize the importance of justice.
To do justice and judgement is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice (Prov. 21:3)
Everything Thou [God] doest is pure justice, nay, the very essence of grace. (ESW 10)
The day, however, is approaching when the faithful will behold the Day Star of justice shining in its full splendor from the Day Spring of glory. (GWB 342)
The word of God which the Supreme Pen hath recorded on the sixth leaf of the Most Exalted Paradise is the following: The light of men is Justice. (TB 66-67)
We cherish the hope that the light of justice may shine upon the world and sanctify it from tyranny. (TB 164)
There is no force on earth that can equal in its conquering power the force of justice and wisdom. I, verily, affirm that there is not, and hath never been, a host more mighty than that of justice and wisdom. Blessed is the king who marcheth with the ensign of wisdom unfurled before him, and the battalions of justice massed in his rear. He verily is the ornament that adorneth the brow of peace and the countenance of security. There can be no doubt whatever that if the day-star of justice, which the clouds of tyranny have obscured, were to shed its light upon men, the face of the earth would be completely transformed. (TB 164-165)
Justice and equity are twin Guardians that watch over men. From them are revealed such blessed and perspicuous words as are the cause of the well-being of the world and the protection of the nations. (ESW 13)
We entreat God to deliver the light of equity and the sun of justice from the thick clouds of waywardness, and cause them to shine forth upon men. No light can compare with the light of justice. The establishment of order in the world and the tranquillity of the nations depend upon it. (ESW 28-29)
We hope that thou wilt cause the light of justice to shine more brightly. By the righteousness of God! Justice is a powerful force. It is, above all else, the conqueror of the citadels of the hearts and souls of men, and the revealer of the secrets of the world of being, and the standard-bearer of love and bounty. (ESW 32)
Now, let us review some of the phrasing used in the passages above to describe justice: “shining in its splendor”, “shed its light”, “reavealer of the secrets”, “sun of justice”, “light of justice”. This is suggestive that a central principle of justice is that it illumninates and reveals truth.
Injunctions to observe justice
Tread ye the path of justice and equity in all things. (KA 60)
Happy the man that hath attained unto justice and equity... (ESW 143)
Purpose of justice
The purpose of justice is the appearance of unity among men. (TB 67)
Definitions of justice
We often hear people asking the questions such as: “was justice served”. Let us now look at finding a definition for justice through a dictionary and through scripture.
Dictionary
From the Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary:
Main Entry: jus·tice
Pronunciation: 'j&s-t&s
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English & Old French; Old
English justice, from Old French justice, from Latin
justitia, from justus
Date: 12th century
1 a : the maintenance or administration of what is just
especially by the impartial adjustment of conflicting claims or the
assignment of merited rewards or punishments b : JUDGE c : the administration of
law; especially : the establishment or determination of
rights according to the rules of law or equity
2 a : the quality of being just, impartial, or fair b
(1) : the principle or ideal of just dealing
or right action (2) : conformity to this principle
or ideal : RIGHTEOUSNESS c
: the quality of conforming to law
3 : conformity to truth, fact, or reason : CORRECTNESS
Scriptural
Surprisingly, the Christian Bible contains little from which we can infer a spiritual definition of justice; the King James version uses the word only 28 times. Those from which a definition may be drawn are shown below.
None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity. (Isaiah 59:4)
Therefore is judgment far from us, neither doth justice overtake us: we wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, but we walk in darkness. (Isaiah 59:9)
And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. (Isaiah 59:14)Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. (Psalms 82:3)
To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; (Proverbs 1:2-3)
Fortunately, however, in the writings of Bahá’u’lláh available is English, the word appears in excess of 400 times, frequently associated with the words equity and fairness. Through the application of the understanding gained from and examination of these passages, we can see that the verses from the Bible mentioning justice support the insights gained.
So let us see what we can learn from looking at justice as it appears in Bahá’í scripture.
O SON OF SPIRIT! The best beloved of all things in My sight is Justice; turn not away therefrom if thou desirest Me, and neglect it not that I may confide in thee. By its aid thou shalt see with thine own eyes and not through the eyes of others, and shalt know of thine own knowledge and not through the knowledge of thy neighbor. Ponder this in thy heart; how it behooveth thee to be. Verily justice is My gift to thee and the sign of My loving-kindness. Set it then before thine eyes.
(HWA #2)Peruse, with fairness and justice, that which hath been sent down. It will, verily, exalt you through the truth, and will cause you to behold the things from which ye have been withheld, and will enable you to quaff His sparkling Wine. (PB 78)
Take fast hold of justice and adhere unto equity that perchance thou mayest not, for selfish motives, use religion as a snare, nor disregard the truth for the sake of gold. (TB 42)
The essence of all that We have revealed for thee is Justice, is for man to free himself from idle fancy and imitation, discern with the eye of oneness His glorious handiwork, and look into all things with a searching eye. (TB 157)
However, it behoveth the writers thereof to be purged from the promptings of evil passions and desires and to be attired with the raiment of justice and equity. They should enquire into situations as much as possible and ascertain the facts, then set them down in writing. (TB 39-40)
Whoso cleaveth to justice, can, under no circumstances, transgress the limits of moderation. He discerneth the truth in all things, through the guidance of Him Who is the All-Seeing. (GWB 342)
The world is in great turmoil, and the minds of its people are in a state of utter confusion. We entreat the Almighty that He may graciously illuminate them with the glory of His Justice, and enable them to discover that which will be profitable unto them at all times and under all conditions. (GWB 97-98)
Thus do We exhort you with justice, and warn you with truth, that perchance ye may be awakened. (GWB 128)
In this connection it is necessary to mention the following occurrence, that haply men may take fast hold of the cord of justice and truthfulness. (ESW 108)
It is this insight which inspired the following definition of justice contained in the document “The Prosperity of Humankind”, a statement published by the Bahá’í International Community.
“At the individual level, justice is that faculty of the human soul that enables each person to distinguish truth from falsehood.” (Prosperity of Humankind)
Related concepts
One of the things we begin to note after such passages is the frequency with which justice is associated with equity and fairness.
Cleave ye to justice and fairness... (GWB 342)
Be fair to yourselves and to others, that the evidences of justice may be revealed, through your deeds, among Our faithful servants. (GWB 278)
In fact, this association is so frequent that we are led to conclude that justice and equity (or fairness) are integrally related.
Equity
The relevant definitions for equity from the Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary are:
Main Entry: eq·ui·ty
Pronunciation: 'e-kw&-tE
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -ties
Etymology: Middle English equite, from Middle French
equité, from Latin aequitat-, aequitas, from
aequus equal, fair
Date: 14th century
1 a : justice according to natural law or right;
specifically : freedom from bias or favoritism
b : something that is equitable
Fairness
The relevant definitions for fair from the Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary are:
Main Entry: 1fair
Pronunciation: 'far, 'fer
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English fager, fair, from Old English
fæger; akin to Old High German fagar beautiful
Date: before 12th century
6 a : marked by
impartiality and honesty : free from self-interest,
prejudice, or favoritism <a very fair person to do
business with> b (1) : conforming with the
established rules : ALLOWED
(2)
: consonant with merit or importance : DUE <a fair share> c
: open to legitimate pursuit, attack, or ridicule
<fair game>
- fair·ness noun
synonyms FAIR,
JUST, EQUITABLE, IMPARTIAL, UNBIASED, DISPASSIONATE, OBJECTIVE
mean free from favor toward either or any side. FAIR implies an elimination of one's own
feelings, prejudices, and desires so as to achieve a proper
balance of conflicting interests <a fair decision>.
JUST implies an exact following of a
standard of what is right and proper <a just settlement
of territorial claims>. EQUITABLE
implies a less rigorous standard than JUST and usually suggests equal treatment of
all concerned <the equitable distribution of the
property>. IMPARTIAL stresses an
absence of favor or prejudice <an impartial third
party>. UNBIASED implies even more
strongly an absence of all prejudice <your unbiased
opinion>. DISPASSIONATE suggests
freedom from the influence of strong feeling and often implies
cool or even cold judgment <a dispassionate summation
of the facts>. OBJECTIVE stresses a
tendency to view events or persons as apart from oneself and one's
own interest or feelings <I can't be objective about my
own child>. synonym see in addition BEAUTIFUL
Now let us look at how the concepts of justice and equity are addressed in the Bahá’í scriptures:
Deal with them with undeviating justice, so that none among them may either suffer want, or be pampered with luxuries. This is but manifest justice. (PB 50)
And if thine eyes be turned towards justice, choose thou for thy neighbour that which thou choosest for thyself. (TB 64)
The third word we have recorded on the third leaf of Paradise is this: “O son of man! If thine eyes be turned towards mercy, forsake the things that profit thee, and cleave unto that which will profit mankind. And if thine eyes be turned towards justice, choose thou for thy neighbor that which thou choosest for thyself. (ESW 29-30)
Once again We exhort all believers to observe justice and fairness and to show forth love and contentment. (TB 134)
O people of God! That which traineth the world is Justice, for it is upheld by two pillars, reward and punishment. These two pillars are the sources of life to the world. (TB 27, 129)
Punishment
Know verily that the essence of justice and the source thereof are both embodied in the ordinances prescribed by Him Who is the Manifestation of the Self of God amongst men, if ye be of them that recognize this truth. He doth verily incarnate the highest, the infallible standard of justice unto all creation. (GWB 175)
Justice hath a mighty force at its command. It is none other than reward and punishment for the deeds of men. By the power of this force the tabernacle of order is established throughout the world, causing the wicked to restrain their natures for fear of punishment. (TB 164)
In formulating the principles and laws a part hath been devoted to penalties which form an effective instrument for the security and protection of men. However, dread of the penalties maketh people desist only outwardly from committing vile and contemptible deeds, while that which guardeth and restraineth man both outwardly and inwardly hath been and still is the fear of God. It is man’s true protector and his spiritual guardian. It behoveth him to cleave tenaciously unto that which will lead to the appearance of this supreme bounty. (TB 93)
“In His Tablets ‘Abdu’l-Bahá explains the difference between revenge and He affirms that individuals do not have the right to take revenge, that revenge is despised in the eyes of God, and that the motive for punishment is not vengeance, but the imposition of a penalty for the committed offence. In Some Answered Questions, He confirms that it is the right of society to impose punishments on criminals for the purpose of protecting its members and defending its existence.” (KA p. 203)
Applications of justice
Personal
By the righteousness of God! Such hath been the patience, the calm, the resignation and contentment of this people that they have become the exponents of justice, and so great hath been their forbearance, that they have suffered themselves to be killed rather than kill, and this notwithstanding that these whom the world hath wronged have endured tribulations the like of which the history of the world hath never recorded, nor the eyes of any nation witnessed. What is it that could have induced them to reconcile themselves to these grievous trials, and to refuse to put forth a hand to repel them? What could have caused such resignation and serenity? (ESW 75-75)
Corporate
Be united, O kings of the earth, for thereby will the tempest of discord be stilled amongst you, and your peoples find rest, if ye be of them that comprehend. Should any one among you take up arms against another, rise ye all against him, for this is naught but manifest justice. (GWB 254)
Houses of Justice
Responsibility is to deliberate upon the needs of its community using the principles of consultation, whose application results in the discovery of truth.
The purpose of consultation is to show that the views of several individuals are assuredly prefereable to one man... (Consultation, #17)
They must in every matter search out the truth and not insist upon their own opinion, for stubbornness and persistence in one’s views will lead ultimately to discord and wrangling and the truth will remain hidden. (Consultation, #10)
The shining spark of truth cometh forth only after the clash of differing opinions. (Consultation, #9)
If the agree upon a subject, even though it be wrong, it is better to disagree and be in the right, for this difference will produce the demolition of the divine foundation. Though one of the parties may be in the right and they disagree that will be the cause of a thousand wrongs, but if they agree and both parties are in the wrong, as it is in unity the truth will be revealed and the wrong made right. (Consultation, #13)