That People May Establish Justice

“Indeed, We sent Our messengers with clear proofs, and We sent down with them the Scripture and the Balance so that people may uphold justice. And We sent down iron, in which is great strength as well as benefits for humanity, so that Allah may make evident those who support Him and His messengers unseen. Indeed, Allah is All-Strong, Almighty.”

Qur’an 57:25

One expression in this verse deserves particular reflection: “so that people may uphold justice” — li-yaqūma al-nāsu bil-qist.

The Qur’an does not say that justice will simply be established for people, nor does it assign the entire responsibility of transforming reality to a future leader; it places a responsibility upon people themselves.

This has profound implications for the believer’s understanding of the awaited future and the preparation for the advent of Imam al-Mahdi (aj).

Awaiting the Imam is therefore not a passive state; it requires a community capable of carrying responsibility, resisting injustice, protecting the vulnerable, and building the foundations of a just society.

This begins with individual initiative. Every person possesses a capacity that can serve the Ummah: knowledge, education, medicine, engineering, agriculture, craftsmanship, technology, finance, communication, social work, manual labor, or simply the ability to care for another human being.

No contribution should be dismissed merely because it appears small.

The Qur’anic vision also demands social solidarity.

The orphan must not be forgotten.

The families of martyrs must be surrounded with dignity and practical support.

Those facing poverty, displacement, illness, or hardship should find within their community not merely sympathy, but meaningful assistance.

The verse’s reference to iron — strength and benefit — also invites reflection on material capability.

A community that seeks dignity must develop its productive capacities: strengthen its local economy, support skilled workers, encourage manufacturing, develop technology, cultivate agriculture, and reduce unnecessary dependence wherever possible.

Preparation, then, is not merely waiting for a historical moment. It is building people and building society.

Every act of knowledge, solidarity, production, service, and justice becomes part of that preparation.

The awaited future is not an excuse to postpone responsibility; rather, it is a reason to become more responsible.

The Qur’an says: “that people may uphold justice.”

The work begins with people...