When You Judge Between People Judge with Justice
fiqh
Level: intermediate
hudud
fqh-059
وَإِذَا حَكَمۡتُم بَيۡنَ ٱلنَّاسِ أَن تَحۡكُمُواْ بِٱلۡعَدۡلِ
— النساء 58
Verse: "When you judge between people, judge with justice." (4:58) — A command for judges, rulers, fathers, and teachers — anyone who decides between disputants. Justice is obligatory on every judge. "Indeed, how excellent is what Allah instructs you" — Allah praises His own command with "how excellent."
Source: Al-Qurtubi (5/263); Ibn Qudama (10/96)
Question: Who does the command "when you judge" in the verse cover?
Answer: Everyone who decides between two people: judge, ruler, father, teacher, manager — justice is required in every position of judgment.