Qur’anic Foundations of Social Justice and Its Dimensions in the Political and Social Thought of Imam Ali (Peace Be Upon Him)

Abstract

The Qur’anic foundations of social justice are based on firm principles such as equality among people, the prohibition of injustice, the call for fairness, and the protection of rights and human dignity. These principles are clearly reflected in the political and social thought of Imam Ali (peace be upon him), who made justice the central of governance and the basis for building society. He emphasized the importance of social solidarity, combating poverty, and ensuring fair distribution of wealth to achieve balance within the community. He also stressed the ruler’s responsibility to care for citizens without discrimination and to hold officials accountable for their shortcomings, reflecting a profound ethical vision in governance. Imam Ali’s experience represents a practical model that transforms Qur’anic principles into reality, aiming to achieve social stability and to establish values of justice and fairness.

This research examines the Quranic foundations of social justice as a fundamental pillar in the construction of the political and social system in the thought of Imam Ali (peace be upon him). His vision of justice stemmed from the Holy Quran, which he considered the supreme source of legislation and human values. The Quran established the concept of justice on the principles of equality, the preservation of rights, the elimination of injustice, social solidarity, and the care of vulnerable groups. These principles were clearly manifested in Imam Ali's thought, both in word and deed. These foundations were reflected in his approach to governance, where he made justice the standard of rule, linked authority with moral responsibility, and considered the ruler a guardian of the people's rights, not a tyrant over them. The political dimensions of social justice in his thought emerged through his call for equality before the law, combating corruption, achieving a balanced distribution of wealth, and preventing monopolies and the misappropriation of public funds, as clearly demonstrated in his letter to Malik al-Ashtar. The social dimensions were embodied in establishing the values ​​of solidarity, preserving human dignity, caring for the poor and deprived, and building a society based on cooperation, mercy, and equity. The research reveals that Social justice in the thought of Imam Ali was not merely a theoretical principle, but rather an integrated civilizational project based on the Qur’anic vision for reforming the individual, society, and the state. Therefore, studying these foundations and dimensions contributes to highlighting the depth of Imam Ali’s political and social thought, and its effectiveness in presenting a balanced human model of justice that can be used to address the issues of contemporary society. The Qur’anic foundations of social justice are based on firm principles that include establishing equality among people, prohibiting injustice, calling for the establishment of equity, guaranteeing rights, and preserving human dignity. These principles were clearly reflected in the political and social thought of Imam Ali (peace be upon him), as he made justice a central axis in the system of government and a basis for building society.