Justice is a capacity of the human soul. It enables each of us to see the world through our own eyes and not through the eyes of others. It protects us from the blind imitation of tradition, from religious prejudice, and intolerance. Our capacity to be just enables us to treat others fairly and equitably rather than being concerned solely with our own self-interest. Justice is a true gift of God which involves us in the lives of others, brings us to rejoice in their happiness and grieve their pain.
The soul’s capacity for justice impels us to become protagonists of social change in our neighborhoods, communities, and nations. We learn to read society in a way that conforms with the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, seeing in every human being nobility and capacity for service to others. Bahá’u’lláh says, “The light of men is Justice. Quench it not with the contrary winds of oppression and tyranny. The purpose of justice is the appearance of unity among men. The ocean of divine wisdom surgeth within this exalted word, while the books of the world cannot contain its inner significance.”
“The purpose of justice is the appearance of unity among men.”
— Bahá’u’lláh
From the Arabic Hidden Words:
“O SON OF SPIRIT!
The best beloved of all things in My sight is Justice; turn not away therefrom if thou desirest Me, and neglect it not that I may confide in thee. By its aid thou shalt see with thine own eyes and not through the eyes of others, and shalt know of thine own knowledge and not through the knowledge of thy neighbor. Ponder this in thy heart; how it behooveth thee to be. Verily justice is My gift to thee and the sign of My loving-kindness. Set it then before thine eyes.”
— Bahá’u’lláh