Be Just — It Is Closer to Taqwa — Justice Above Personal Interests
tadabbur
Level: basic
justice
td-367
ٱعۡدِلُواْ هُوَ أَقۡرَبُ لِلتَّقۡوَىٰ
— المائدة 8
Verse: "O believers, be persistently standing firm for Allah, witnesses in justice, and do not let hatred of a people lead you to be unjust. Be just — it is closer to taqwa." (5:8) — "Persistently standing" = intensive, habitual commitment to justice. "Hatred of a people" = historical enemy or disagreeing party. The verse forbids letting hatred lead to injustice. Justice is required even toward those you dislike. Linking justice directly to taqwa = it is not mere law but worship. Lesson: true God-consciousness demands justice toward adversaries before allies.
Source: Ibn Kathir (3/61); Al-Sadi
Question: Why does the verse specifically link justice to taqwa?
Answer: Because justice toward adversaries requires inner struggle — the essence of taqwa — achievable only by those who truly fear Allah.