A Research Review of the Qur’anic Teachings on Justice and Mercy in Social and Societal Life

Review of the Qur’anic Teachings

Abstract

Justice and mercy are fundamental and essential principles of Islamic society. The Holy Qur’an establishes justice as the foundation of human rights, fairness, equality, and social order, while mercy is presented as a means of human compassion, kindness, mutual affection, and good treatment of vulnerable members of society. This study examines the lexical and technical meanings of justice and mercy and, in the light of the Holy Qur’an, clarifies their concepts and significance.

The research demonstrates that the Qur’anic concept of justice is not limited merely to judicial decisions; rather, it encompasses all aspects of individual, family, social, and collective life. Similarly, mercy is not merely an emotional state but a practical social attitude that requires maintaining family ties, protecting vulnerable groups, showing leniency toward those who make mistakes, and adopting an open-hearted attitude in human relationships.

The Holy Qur’an does not separate justice and mercy from one another. Rather, through a balanced combination of both, it teaches the formation of a society in which, alongside the protection of rights, human dignity and compassion are also preserved. The central conclusion of this study is that, in order to address contemporary social problems, it is essential to implement the Qur’anic teachings of justice and mercy in practical life.