Investigating the Status of Free will and Ethical Justice in the Sphere of Islamic Social Justice

Abstract

Background and Aim: There is a need in different spheres of social justice in Islam for theoretical literature applicable to policy making. Principles of social justice are the foundation on which the construct of social justice is based. The influential principles of social justice fall into two categories: principles with direct and specific influence and principles with indirect and general influence. In this paper, the role of will power and moral justice among principles of anthropology, as related to social justice, are discussed. Materials and Methods: To this end, drawing upon Koranic verses and hadith, a descriptive-analytic approach was adopted. Findings: Results of analysis reiterates the idea that Free will is the prerogative bestowed on human beings. Human beings, by nature, seek justice and change and out of own determination stand by justice. Regarding moral justice, human being deserves justice and must be signified with this quality. In the social realm, only those who already enjoy the quality of justice can discuss issues pertaining justice and ways of its promotion for it is an undeniable fact that if a quality does not exist in someone, they cannot carry it over to others. Conclusion: It can be concluded that Free will (freedom of human beings) and liberty (moral justice) are the two specific anthropological principles of social justice and from an Islamic perspective man’s freedom is to be interpreted in light of the relationship between man and God. From this point of view, freedom comes in degrees: one degree of freedom is man’ choice to be free; another degree of freedom has to do with non-existence of setbacks and being in the right conditions. Still another degree of freedom which is over and above the other two is a value whose attainment leads to man’s self-realization. All three degrees need to be seen within the boundaries of religion (shariah) as human being’s freedom is along accepting God’s guardianship. The first two types of freedom have instrumental value but the third one, though a value in it self, is the highest rank and a social virtue. Please cite this article as: Berenjkar R, Seyyed Baqeri SK, Norouzi A. Investigating the Status of Free will and Ethical Justice in the Sphere of Islamic Social Justice . Bioethics Journal 2017; 7(24): 23-36.