Justice is defined as that everyone should be benefited in proportion to his ability and aptitude. When this is the case then society will be well ordered. Without justice it is neither possible to attain personal perfection or to organize efficient social organization. It is through the existence of justice that the material and intellectual rights of men are ensured. All obligations and rights become meaningful. It is for this reason that in Islam both rights and limitations are recognized. Muslims believe that all legitimate rights are limited by the boundaries of "illegitimate rights."
In all intellectual, ethical and social fields, freedom is balanced and shaped by justice. Shaheed Mutahhari says: “For man, justice is the holiest of virtues. At least among the social ideals, such as freedom, democracy and equality it is the most holy since it gives birth to all of them.”
The road to freedom and equality passes through the realm of justice, and modem man shall realize, sooner or later, that the only path to salvation is the establishment of true universal justice in the social, political and economic fields. Isaiah Berlin writes that in his opinion the belief that a particular prescription can be found to enable man to attain all his aims and objectives in a harmonious and comprehensive manner is completely mistaken...Perhaps someday a remedy may be found for this unsatisfactory situation. In response to this hope it may be said that the justice emphasized by Islam and proclaimed in its texts as the fundamental social value is the remedy for this ailment.
It is said in Holy Qur’an as, “Verily We have sent Our messengers with clear reasons and with them bestowed the Book and the Scale, so that people should become just.” The scale referred to in the above verse is definitely not the physical one. What it refers to is a criterion by which the good and the bad, the worthy and the unworthy may be distinguished. This criterion is nothing other than divine decrees, laws and teachings. There is no doubt that the just laws sent down to us by God constitute a measure by which the true can be separated from the false and through the light of which we can walk upon the straight and narrow path of righteousness.
Allamah Tabatabi, a great Muslim scholar says that the true meaning of justice is to have balance in all things, so that all may receive their rightful due. Thus, in the realm of beliefs justice means faith in the truth. In one's actions, it means acting so as to attain felicity and to escape wretchedness. Justice in social affairs is that every person should occupy the position that reason, law and custom dictate, the good are rewarded and the bad are punished, those who have been wronged are avenged and all are equal before the law, etc.
Imam Ali (as) was a role model in justice for all the leaders. He receives a report from Basra that Osman-bin-Hanif has taken part in a feast. There has been no drinking, gambling and debauchery. But Ali (as) reproaches this Governor for attending a wholly aristocratic feast where no poor person has been present, Then, Ali (as) begins to describe his own pains, saying that he could obtain all means of comfort and pleasure himself if he wished, but would not leave the reins of his life in the hands of desires. He is thinking of all those in various lands who are poor and in great need. This is what ‘feeling the pains of others’ means, He says: “Should I be satisfied with the title of Caliph and commander of the faithful without sharing the troubles of the faithful?”
From Imam Ali's (A.S.) perspective divine decrees and commandments were like a body whose soul was justice: "Justice is the spirit of laws.” He believed that in order to enjoy harmony and proper integration, individual and social affairs require an integrating principle which is none other than justice: "Justice is the system of government”. According to this exalted school of thought nothing may serve as a foundation for social order unless it is just: “Justice is the criterion.”
Imam Ali (as) further states, "Justice and fairness is a measure established by God for human beings so that truth shall pervade in the society. Therefore, obey God and act according to this divinely ordained measure. Do not violate it."
According to Imam Ali, the commander of faith, justice leads to social harmony and balance. It puts everything and everyone in their proper and rightful place. Everyone gets what he needs and deserves based on his abilities and efforts. Thus we shall have a harmonious society in which all segments are properly developed. If we compare society to a building, justice is its foundation while generosity and other such virtues are its decorations and embellishments. It is clear that if the foundation is weak and unstable the owner will gain little by trying to decorate it.
During the days of Ali's (as) caliphate, Abdullah ibn al-'Abbas once came to him. He found Ali (as) mending his old shoes with his own hand. Turning to Abdullah, Ali (as) asked him, "How much do you think is this shoe worth?" "Nothing," replied Abdullah. Ali(as) said, "But the same shoe is of more worth to me than authority over you if it was not to me a means for establishing justice, recovering the rights of the deprived, and wiping out evil practices."
During his caliphate, Imam Ali (as) addresses the people uniquely as, “Do not address me in the manner despots are addressed [i.e. Do not address me by titles that are used to flatter despots and tyrants]. In your attitude towards me do not entertain the kind of considerations that are adopted in the presence of unpredictable tyrants. Do not treat me with affected and obsequious manners. Do not imagine that your frankness would displease me or that I expect you to treat me with veneration. One who finds it disagreeable to face truth and just criticism, would find it more detestable to act upon them. Therefore, do not deny me a word of truth or a just advice.”