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By Bobby Darvish, Iranian-American Ex-Muslim, Former Vegan, Former Democrat, Former Socialist, Former CAIR-Columbus Executive Director, Former Muslim Forum of Utah President, Christian Conservative LDS, Freemason, and Windows Sons MRA Member
When I was an Imam and later an Islamic leader, I often contemplated the Quranic concept of Allah's justice. Growing up in a devout Muslim household and deeply studying Islamic theology, I was taught that Allah’s justice was absolute and unquestionable. However, as I transitioned from Islam to Christianity, I began to see how the Islamic view of divine justice contrasts profoundly with the Christian understanding of God's justice. These differences illuminate the distinct theological foundations of the two religions.
The Quranic Perspective on Allah’s Justice
The Quran describes Allah as "just" and asserts that His justice is perfect and absolute. Some notable verses include:
Surah An-Nisa (4:40):
"Indeed, Allah does not do injustice, [even] as much as an atom's weight; while if there is a good deed, He multiplies it and gives from Himself a great reward."
Surah Al-Imran (3:182):
"This is for what your hands have sent ahead, and because Allah is not ever unjust to His servants."
Surah Al-Anbiya (21:47):
"And We set up a just balance for the Day of Resurrection, so no soul will be treated unjustly at all. And if there is [even] the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it forth. And sufficient are We as accountant."
At first glance, these verses portray Allah as fair, meticulously measuring good and evil. But upon deeper study, I found troubling contradictions within the Quran regarding Allah’s justice. For example, the Quran explicitly allows divine favoritism and predestination, which undermines the concept of fair justice.
Surah An-Nahl (16:93):
"If Allah willed, He could have made you [all] one nation, but He sends astray whom He wills and guides whom He wills, and you will surely be questioned about what you used to do."
Surah Al-A’raf (7:178):
"Whoever Allah guides – he is the [rightly] guided; and whoever He sends astray – it is they who are the losers."
These verses reveal a theological dilemma: how can Allah be "just" if He predestines individuals to stray or succeed? This deterministic view of divine justice often left me unsettled during my years as a Muslim leader.
The Christian Perspective on God’s Justice
In Christianity, God’s justice is grounded in His love, mercy, and holiness. Unlike Allah, whose justice appears arbitrary and inconsistent, the Christian God’s justice is both absolute and redemptive. Key biblical passages include:
Psalm 89:14:
"Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before You."
Isaiah 30:18:
"Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore He will rise up to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him!"
Romans 3:26:
"It was to show His righteousness at the present time, so that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus."
The pivotal difference lies in how justice is administered. In Christianity, God’s justice is inseparably tied to His grace. This is most profoundly demonstrated through the atonement of Jesus Christ. Through His sacrifice, God satisfies the requirements of justice while extending mercy to sinners (John 3:16). Christians are invited into a personal relationship with God, who lovingly reconciles justice and mercy.
Theological Implications of These Differences
Relationship vs. Servitude:
In Islam, Allah’s justice is distant and impersonal. Humans are servants who must submit entirely to His will, even when it seems arbitrary. By contrast, Christianity offers a relational God who desires fellowship with His creation and provides a pathway to redemption through Jesus Christ.Predestination vs. Free Will:
Islamic justice leans heavily on predestination, creating a fatalistic worldview. Christianity emphasizes free will, holding individuals accountable while offering redemption through grace.Mercy in Justice:
While the Quran does speak of Allah's mercy (e.g., Surah Az-Zumar 39:53), it is conditional and often subject to Allah’s will rather than consistent principles. In Christianity, mercy flows abundantly through Christ’s sacrifice, fulfilling justice and love simultaneously.
Personal Reflection
When I was a devout Muslim, I struggled with the idea that Allah could predestine people to hell yet still call Himself just. As an ex-Muslim Christian, I now find peace in the biblical view of God’s justice. The Christian God does not contradict His nature; He is just, yet merciful, offering salvation to all who believe in His Son. This coherence between justice and mercy is something I never found in Islam.
In the words of Isaiah 1:18:
"Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."
This invitation encapsulates the true justice of the Christian God—an invitation rooted in love, reason, and redemption.
Citations
- The Quranic references are derived from the Sahih International translation available at: https://quran.com
- The Bible verses are quoted from the New International Version (NIV) translation available at: https://www.biblegateway.com
- "Justice and Predestination in Islam," Islamic Studies Journal, 2015. Available at: https://www.islamicstudies.org/articles/justice-predestination
- R.C. Sproul, The Holiness of God. Tyndale House Publishers, 1985.
- Nabeel Qureshi, Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus. Zondervan, 2016.
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