56%
Confidence
Belief overview
Adl, divine justice
God's justice is treated as a structuring theological principle.
2
Supportive
0
Contrary
0
Neutral
What it is: In Shi'ism, especially in Twelver and Ismaili traditions, divine justice holds a prominent place among the principles of religion.
How the religion understands it: God does not act in an unjust, arbitrary, or morally contradictory way. This emphasis has influenced reflection on human responsibility, reward, punishment, suffering, and the legitimacy of authority.
Textual basis and context: Qur'anic passages that deny injustice on God's part are read together with a rationally developed theological tradition. The theme also interacts with kalam currents that insisted on reconciling divine sovereignty and justice.
Debates and variations: The ways of explaining human freedom, divine decree, and justice vary among schools, but the category of adl became especially emblematic in Shi'ism.
Documentary evidence
Supportive
Nahj al-Balagha, Sermon 1
A classic sermon about God, creation, and moral order.
Reference: Nahj al-Balagha, Sermon 1.
Content: The text attributed to Ali presents reflections on God, creation, order, and responsibility.
Use in debate: It is widely used to illustrate the theological and moral depth of the tradition connected to Ali, including on themes of justice and transcendence.
Qur'an 4:40
A verse about the absence of injustice on God's part.
Reference: Qur'an, surah 4, verse 40.
Content: The text affirms that God does not commit injustice, not even the weight of an atom.
Use in debate: It is an important reference for the doctrine of divine justice in Shi'i theology.