Among the verses that talk about justice, one points out how to deal with peaceful disbelievers. Disbelievers are of two kinds. First, there are those who wage war on Muslims, displace them from their homes, and attack them. Second, there are peaceful disbelievers who disagree with Muslims in religion. They do not believe in Islam, yet they coexist with Muslims in society.
Concerning the peaceful category, the Holy Quran ordains us to treat them well and kindly. We must offer them kindness and treat them justly in all dealings. As for the other category, we must take a stand against them. They have declared enmity with Muslims. A Muslim does not declare enmity or assault others. Allah has ordered us to act in a way that transforms enemies into friends.
Allah says: "Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes - from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them." Surah Al-Mumtahanah (60:8). This applies to those who did not declare war on your religion. You should accept this religious difference peacefully. They did not force you to leave your homes. They are peaceful, coexisting with you. The verse says to show them kindness. This means being caring and concerned. It covers all human relations based on cooperation and giving.
The verse also says to "act justly toward them." Justice is a human right. To act justly is to give every person his right. You must treat peaceful disbelievers with justice. If they are entitled to a right, you should not deprive them. "Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly." Surah Al-Mumtahanah (60:8). We understand from this that we must respect all their rights and properties. It is not permissible to confiscate a non-Muslim's money under the pretence that he is a disbeliever. Some people use faulty legal opinions to rob banks or shops in the West, East, or Lebanon during chaos. As long as they are peaceful, we cannot confiscate their money or violate their honor. We issue legal opinions that deem such acts by immigrant youth forbidden, even in America, Europe, or Canada.
For example, a person concludes a contract with an insurance company to insure his shop. He then burns it to get compensation. Others borrow money from a bank and run away. Some take things from a supermarket without paying. Such acts are not permissible. They are forbidden as long as those people are peaceful and not fighters. Allah says: "Allah only forbids you from those who fight you because of religion and expel you from your homes and aid in your expulsion - [forbids] that you make allies of them." Surah Al-Mumtahanah (60:9). This refers to those who declared war on you because you are Muslims. They displaced you, as the Jews displaced the Palestinians. They helped in driving you out, as some countries have done.
It should be noted that there is a difference between the state and the people. The American administration helps Israel and occupies Iraq and Afghanistan. However, the American people do not wholly approve of what their government is doing. The verse continues: "And whoever makes allies of them, then it is those who are the wrongdoers." Surah Al-Mumtahanah (60:9). These are the ones who wrong themselves and their people. We conclude from these two verses that we cannot offend peaceful disbelievers, no matter their religion.
Allah has dispraised the Jews for confiscating the money of non-Jews. "And among the People of the Scripture is he who, if you entrust him with a great amount [of wealth], he will return it to you. And among them is he who, if you entrust him with a [single] dinar, he will not return it to you unless you are constantly standing over him [demanding it]." Surah Al-Imran (3:75). Trust must be returned to its owner. But some would not return a dinar unless you constantly demanded it. Why? Because they said: "There is upon us no blame concerning the unlearned." Surah Al-Imran (3:75). In their context, the "unlearned" were non-Jews. They deemed it permissible to confiscate their money.
If any Muslim holds this mentality, he makes others believe Muslims can confiscate non-Muslims' money. As a result, the Muslim loses the trust of others. No one would share, lend, or cooperate with him. If we knew someone had no problem confiscating our money, would we deal with him? These issues harm us and distort the image of Islam and Muslims. We must treat people as we would like to be treated. If we expect trust and honesty, we must treat others likewise to coexist.
We need this world, and it needs us. This is especially true in a country like Lebanon, with diverse sects and confessions. If there is no trust in the community, no country can exist. No progress or development can take place, economically or socially.
We should be aware of this issue to deliver the true image of Islam. Islam is the religion of justice. It serves everyone justly, whether a disbeliever or a believer, an enemy or a friend. As we have mentioned before, justice has no religion. It is a human state that obliges man to serve people justly. Likewise, injustice has no religion. A hadith from Ahl al-Bayt says: "God revealed to a prophet to go to a tyrant ruler and tell him that God appointed him to address the grievances of the downtrodden, for Allah will not accept any injustice done to them even if they were disbelievers." So, even if they are disbelievers, He will retrieve their right from those who usurped it.
We conclude that it is not permissible to wrong disbelievers, just as it is not permissible to wrong believers. This grants Islam its glorious image. We who belong to the Ja'afari sect are awaiting Imam Al-Mahdi. His message is to spread justice. He will "fill the earth with justice and equity after it has been filled with injustice and oppression." His mission is to fill the entire world with comprehensive justice. If we do not serve justice, how can we be his followers? Someone might treat his wife, mother, or neighbor unjustly, yet claim he will follow the Imam. The truth is, with such injustice, he is on the opposite side.
Therefore, we must be the nation of justice. Our religion is the religion of justice. It ordains us to practice justice and kindness. The results are reflected in this life and the afterlife. We must live justice and kindness within ourselves. We must open up through them to the entire reality: political, social, economic, security, and family. As the hadith says: "Make of yourself a balance between yourself and others. So love for others what you love for yourself, and hate for others what you hate for yourself."