The Forgotten Sunnah of Fair Adjudication

Introduction

The concept of justice is fundamental in Islam, permeating every facet of societal structure, personal relationships, and institutional practices. Among its many applications, the principle of fair adjudication—rendering impartial and accurate judgement between parties—is a significant Sunnah often neglected in today’s administrative, judicial, and competitive environments. Fair adjudication not only reflects the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) noble character, but also exemplifies the practical implementation of divine justice in everyday decision-making.

This article explores the significance of fair adjudication as a forgotten Sunnah, its roots in Islamic tradition, practical challenges to its implementation, and recommended measures to restore this core value in settings such as schools, competitions, and community administration.

Understanding Adjudication in Islam

Definition and Scope

In Islamic terminology, adjudication refers to the act of resolving disputes or judging fairly between conflicting parties. This process is not confined to the courtroom. It extends to any context where decisions are made that affect outcomes for individuals or groups — including academic assessments, Quranic competitions, and arbitration during conflicts.

According to the Qur’an, Allah commands:

“Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due and when you judge between people to judge with justice….” (Surah An-Nisa 4:58)

This verse lays a clear guideline: judgement must be delivered with fairness, integrity, and without bias. This command is addressed not only to official judges, but to all individuals in positions of authority or influence.

Prophetic Example

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) served not only as a religious guide and spiritual leader but also a fair judge in community matters. His style of adjudication was marked by:

• Impartiality: Maintaining neutrality regardless of the social status or background of the individuals involved.
• Use of evidence: Judging based on facts, testimonies, and observable proof rather than assumptions or biases.
• Transparency: Ensuring the process of judgement was clear and understandable to those involved.

An example can be seen in the Hadith where the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“You bring your disputes to me. Perhaps one of you is more eloquent in presenting his case than the other, and I may judge in his favour based on what I hear. But if I do so, and he is not rightfully entitled to it, it is as if I am allotting him a piece of the Hellfire.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

This emphasises the profound weight of responsibility upon any adjudicator and highlights the importance of truth, as opposed to mere presentation skills or persuasive speech.

Relevance of Fair Adjudication Today

In modern contexts, the need for fair adjudication is just as pressing. From school assessments and Quran competitions to family disputes and community governance, the manner in which judgements are made impacts both individuals and broader trust in communities. However, the practical observation shows several recurrent issues that undermine this Sunnah.

1. Structural Bias

Certain systems unintentionally favour individuals due to demographic, geographic, or institutional affiliations. For instance, a judge or organiser may unconsciously show leniency toward participants from their own school or city.

2. Lack of Documentation or Criteria

Many competitions and dispute resolutions lack written standards or transparent scoring rubrics. This leaves space for inconsistency, subjective interpretation, or accusations of unfairness, especially in Quran memorisation or recitation contests where subtle errors may be missed or overlooked selectively.

3. Inadequate Training of Adjudicators

The role of an adjudicator is often delegated to individuals without sufficient training in either Sharī‘ah-based ruling principles or domain-specific standards (e.g. tajwīd, hafdh performance). Consequently, decisions may not reflect the weight of evidence or fairness rooted in Islamic principles.

4. Time Constraints and Backlogged Administration

Rushed decisions and administrative constraints can lead to shortcuts in evaluating submissions, verifying facts, or granting appeals. Hastiness risks denying parties their due rights—a matter against which the Prophet strongly warned.

5. Emotional or Peer Influence

External pressure from colleagues, parents, or entrenched expectations can influence outcomes, especially where adjudication lacks independent oversight or clear procedures for review.

The Islamic Framework for Restoring Fair Adjudication

Establishing Just Procedures

Fair adjudication calls for structured processes that minimise the role of personal judgement and maximise objectivity. Some principles include:

• Written criteria: Publicly shared scoring rubrics or evaluation frameworks ensure participants, judges, and audiences understand how decisions are reached.
• Anonymous evaluation: Where possible, removing identifiable details from submissions helps reduce bias based on familiarity or assumptions.
• Appeals process: Instituting a formal review or appeal mechanism supports transparency and accountability.

Capacity-Building for Judges and Organisers

Judges and decision-makers should undergo regular training in both Islamic jurisprudence regarding adjudication and technical expertise in the area of their judgement. This may involve:

• Workshops on ethics, objectivity, and legal principles rooted in Sunnah
• Technical evaluation training (e.g. phonetics and tajwīd for Quran judges)
• Peer review systems for identifying inconsistencies and continuous learning

Emphasising Taqwa and Accountability

Adjudicators should be reminded of their spiritual responsibility. The Qur’an and Hadith emphasise that all judges are accountable before Allah, and mistakes in judgement based on negligence or bias may lead to divine consequences.

In this regard, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“Judges are of three types: one will go to Paradise and two to Hell. The one who knows the truth and judges accordingly will go to Paradise, but the one who judges unjustly despite knowing the truth or judges in ignorance will go to Hell.” (Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi)

Implementing Fair Adjudication in Quran Competitions

Quran competitions are one of the most public-facing platforms for Muslim adjudication, making them a vital case study in restoring this forgotten Sunnah. These contests combine religious, educational, and community elements, requiring special attention to impartiality and accuracy.

Common Challenges

• Differences in recitation methods: Participants may follow varied qirā’āt (canonical readings), not all of which are familiar to regional judges.
• Ambiguity in scoring systems: Inconsistent error deductions and lack of specific benchmarks can skew results.
• Pressure from communities: Judges may feel pressure to favour local institutions, notable individuals, or public expectations of performance titles.

Positive Practices

Effective competition organisers and judges have adopted several solutions rooted in Islamic fairness and modern administrative compliance:

• Use of scoring software or auditing tools to provide consistent and transparent point systems.
• Rotation of judging panels to neutralise bias over time.
• Ongoing professional development and certification requirements for adjudicators.
• Public feedback sessions and clarity on contestant rankings and feedback.

By investing in such frameworks, the community simultaneously honours the spiritual importance of Quran memorisation and upholds the Islamic principle of just decision-making.

Conclusion

The forgotten Sunnah of fair adjudication is more than a procedural requirement; it is an ethical imperative rooted in the life of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the Qur’anic mandate for justice. Whether resolving disputes, allocating scores, or making administrative decisions, Muslims are called upon to uphold truth and fairness above bias, haste, or personal preference.

Reviving this Sunnah requires intentional action: defining fair processes, training trustworthy adjudicators, and grounding all decisions in taqwa and divine accountability. In doing so, communities ensure not only administrative integrity but spiritual growth through commitment to one of Islam’s most important values — justice with ihsān.

If you need help with your Quran competition platform or marking tools, email info@qurancompetitions.tech.