⚖ Corruption of Lawyers and Judges as a Sign of the Last Day
Written by: Qari Usama bin Abdus Salam (ḥafiẓahullāh)
❖ Condemnation of Injustice and Dishonesty
Lawyers and judges who accept bribes from the public yet fail to uphold justice and neglect their duties are committing injustice and corruption. In Islam, injustice and dishonesty are strongly condemned, and such behaviors are counted among the signs of the approaching Day of Judgment. The Qur’an and authentic ḥadīths provide clear evidence regarding the importance of establishing justice and the severe consequences of failing to do so.
➊ Evidences from the Qur’an
Command to Uphold Justice
إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَنْ تُؤَدُّوا الْأَمَانَاتِ إِلَى أَهْلِهَا وَإِذَا حَكَمْتُمْ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ أَنْ تَحْكُمُوا بِالْعَدْلِ
(Surah al-Nisāʾ 4:58)
Translation: “Indeed, Allah commands you to return trusts to their rightful owners, and when you judge between people, judge with justice.”
🟩 This verse highlights that judging with justice and returning trusts to their rightful owners are core Islamic principles.
Condemnation of Bribery
وَلَا تَأْكُلُوا أَمْوَالَكُم بَيْنَكُم بِالْبَاطِلِ وَتُدْلُوا بِهَا إِلَى الْحُكَّامِ…
(Surah al-Baqarah 2:188)
Translation: “And do not consume one another’s wealth unjustly or send it [as bribes] to the authorities in order that you may sinfully consume a portion of others’ wealth while you know [it is wrong].”
🟥 This verse explicitly condemns bribery and fraud, identifying them as major sins and disobedience to Allah.
➋ Evidences from the Hadith
Curse Upon Bribery
لَعَنَ اللَّهُ الرَّاشِيَ وَالْمُرْتَشِيَ
(Sunan al-Tirmidhī: 1337)
Translation: “Allah has cursed the one who gives a bribe and the one who takes it.”
🛑 This ḥadīth makes it clear that both the briber and the receiver of a bribe are under Allah’s curse.
Entrusting Matters to the Incompetent
إِذَا وُسِّدَ الأَمْرُ إِلَى غَيْرِ أَهْلِهِ فَانْتَظِرِ السَّاعَةَ
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 6496)
Translation: “When affairs are entrusted to those who are not qualified, then await the Hour (i.e., the Day of Judgment).”
⚠ This ḥadīth reflects the reality of corruption and incompetence in today’s judicial systems and is a clear sign of the nearness of the Last Day.
Disappearance of Justice and Spread of Oppression
“قیامت کی نشانیوں میں سے یہ بھی ہے کہ انصاف اٹھ جائے گا، اور لوگ ظلم کریں گے”
(Musnad Aḥmad)
Translation: “Among the signs of the Hour is that justice will disappear, and oppression will prevail.”
🔴 This narration confirms that near the end times, justice will vanish and oppression will become widespread.
✔ Summary
- ⚖ Justice and fairness are fundamental teachings of Islam.
- 💰 Bribery is a major sin that invokes Allah’s curse.
- ❌ Assigning leadership and judgment to the unqualified is a sign of the Hour.
- 📉 Corruption in the judiciary and the absence of justice are in direct violation of Islamic teachings.
📌 Conclusion
Lawyers and judges who accept bribes and commit injustice are contributing to the spread of tyranny and fulfilling one of the signs of the Last Day. Such individuals must reflect on their actions and ensure that their decisions are made in accordance with Islamic values of justice and integrity.
