Which One Is Better: Justice or Generosity?
In a series of sessions, sociologist and religious researcher Emad Afroogh tries to introduce the thoughts of Imam Ali (AS). In the 12th session, he talks about Imam Ali’s views on why justice is better than generosity. Here is a summary of his remarks:
The importance Imam Ali (AS) lays on social justice and his sensitivity about Bait al-Mal was discussed earlier. I have chosen the 437th Hikma (Wisdom) of Nahj al-Balagha for today. Like other sermons, letters and wisdoms of Nahj al-Balagha, this one is amazing and unique in the field of theorization.
Imam Ali (AS) was asked about superiority of justice and generosity and he said justice is better than generosity. Justice puts everything in its proper place but generosity puts it out of place. Justice is general management of people’s affairs but generosity only includes a certain group of people. So justice is better and more noble.
Justice is both a right and a responsibility. It is people’s right and the rulers’ responsibility. But generosity is not like that. It is the responsibility of neither the people nor the rulers. Generosity is out of kindness but justice is a general and fundamental issue.
Giving to others and helping others is a personal act that everyone can do or refuse to do.
If we only aim for generosity and helping others, we will neglect the infrastructures of justice and that would be detrimental. People should realize that the rulers are responsible for preparing the grounds for establishment of justice.
A question comes to mind here about justice and ethics and about which one is better. Here we can say that justice and ethics have a mutual relation, that is to say, ethical people can better set the ground for upholding justice. So in view of Imam Ali (AS), social justice is a responsibility of the government and a right of people and is superior to generosity.
