Law, crime, justice
Law aims at punishing the wrongdoers in order to maintain justice in the society. According to Salmond, law is the collection of rules, which the State recognizes in the administration of justice.
Acharya Chanakys says if the kings award heavier punishment than justified or if the kings are more lenient than wanted, there will be no justice. In the absence of justice, there will be chaos, confusion and disorder in the State.
The sources of law, according to the political thinkers, are religion, judicial decisions, equity, scientific commentaries and legislature. In the primitive society, religion served as the basis of law. In the proper sense of term, Divine law is a law revealed from God for mankind. It is still a powerful source of law.
Justice means absence of special privilege in the society in any form, particularly political and economic.
Political scientist Plato said, kings should be philosophers. Unless the kings are conscious themselves about human need, it is not possible to establish justice.
Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) said: “Justice is more delicious than honey, softer than butter, and more sweet-smelling than musk.” Justice in Islam means that every one, male or female, must be given his due. It may be rewards, it may be punishment.
Ameer Hamzah
Dhaka
