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40 on Justice: The Prophetic Voice on Social Reform
A collection of 40 Hadith (sayings) of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) focusing on the notion of social justice in Islam.
351 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 19, 2021
71 people are currently reading
631 people want to read
About the author
Omar Suleiman
43 books807 followersImam Omar Suleiman is the Founder and President of the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research, and an Adjunct Professor of Islamic Studies in the Graduate Liberal Studies Program at SMU (Southern Methodist University). He is also the Resident Scholar at Valley Ranch Islamic Center and Co-Chair Emeritus of Faith Forward Dallas at Thanks-Giving Square.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 21, 2021
✨40 ON JUSTICE BY OMAR SULEIMAN ✨ The greatest favour this book has done to me: dissect and explain the real meaning of justice in Islam and how Islam actually present the justice.
It unveils the beauty of Islam. Islam was never exclusive to a certain race or people only. It is for the whole mankind. This book enlighten me on the real approach on social justice. It is quite comprehensive I must say as it covers humanity, environment, racism, leadership, family relations, the disabled, the rights of the elderly and many more. You can see some of the short notes Ive shared in the highlight "40 On Justice" in my bio.
To be honest, I am reminded of Prof Syed Mohd Naquib Al Attas writing in Risalah untuk Kaum Muslimin.
"Akan tetapi pada hakikat zahirnya Islam itu ditayangkan kepada dunia oleh para penganutnya Kaum Muslimin; dan Kaum Muslimin tiada senantiasa suci dan murni dan luhur dan agung. Maka kita ini ibarat rupa zahir yang kononnya membayangkan hakikat batin Islam itu; kita ini umpama cermin bidal tamsil yang menangkap sinaran mentari Islam yang terang benderang itu. Akan tetapi jika cermin ini kelam dikabuti debu atau kacanya tiada diasah halus jernih maka sesungguhnya sia-sia cermin berdaya membayangkan mentari itu, dan hanyalah yang dibayangkan itu yang kelam dan samar-samar jua."
We, Muslims are the representation of Islam. People will look Islam through us that is why it is our obligations to show and portray it well. Through our words, acts, behaviours. Not by telling others about the rules, hadith and so on. You think non Muslims would care and understand? They wont even blink an eye if we have no good representation & try to shove all the rules and regulations to them. Islam is beyond that.
I wont lie this book is pretty heavy for me to digest and I do take my time to finish it but, it really helps in tuning my view on justice all over again. Good thing doesnt comes easily, no?
Yes, I would like to recommend this book to all Muslims. If you are concern with the language, dont be because it is easy but you might find some difficulties in processing the content and I would suggest you to refer to someone knowledgeable abt it.
It unveils the beauty of Islam. Islam was never exclusive to a certain race or people only. It is for the whole mankind. This book enlighten me on the real approach on social justice. It is quite comprehensive I must say as it covers humanity, environment, racism, leadership, family relations, the disabled, the rights of the elderly and many more. You can see some of the short notes Ive shared in the highlight "40 On Justice" in my bio.
To be honest, I am reminded of Prof Syed Mohd Naquib Al Attas writing in Risalah untuk Kaum Muslimin.
"Akan tetapi pada hakikat zahirnya Islam itu ditayangkan kepada dunia oleh para penganutnya Kaum Muslimin; dan Kaum Muslimin tiada senantiasa suci dan murni dan luhur dan agung. Maka kita ini ibarat rupa zahir yang kononnya membayangkan hakikat batin Islam itu; kita ini umpama cermin bidal tamsil yang menangkap sinaran mentari Islam yang terang benderang itu. Akan tetapi jika cermin ini kelam dikabuti debu atau kacanya tiada diasah halus jernih maka sesungguhnya sia-sia cermin berdaya membayangkan mentari itu, dan hanyalah yang dibayangkan itu yang kelam dan samar-samar jua."
We, Muslims are the representation of Islam. People will look Islam through us that is why it is our obligations to show and portray it well. Through our words, acts, behaviours. Not by telling others about the rules, hadith and so on. You think non Muslims would care and understand? They wont even blink an eye if we have no good representation & try to shove all the rules and regulations to them. Islam is beyond that.
I wont lie this book is pretty heavy for me to digest and I do take my time to finish it but, it really helps in tuning my view on justice all over again. Good thing doesnt comes easily, no?
Yes, I would like to recommend this book to all Muslims. If you are concern with the language, dont be because it is easy but you might find some difficulties in processing the content and I would suggest you to refer to someone knowledgeable abt it.
April 3, 2023
Rating: 4.5
"40 on Justice" is one of the most useful and informative books that talks about the famous 40 Hadiths and how they relate back to the topic of justice. When it comes to 'justice', Sheikh Omar Suleiman talks about a myriad of topics in this compilation, varying from social justice, our neighbourly duties, our relations to families and friends, our personal & collective responsibilities, the dangers of riba and tatfeef (the practice of giving less in measure and weight to people when you sell them something, and take more in measure and weight when you are the buyer), and so much more.
This was an eye-opening read in so many ways due to the way Sheikh Omar extrapolates and handles the hadiths and tells us how they relate back to our daily lives and duties. It's amazing to read about how the Qur'an and hadith have supplied us with so many 'ammunitions' so that we know how to conduct ourselves when in private and in public, especially when it pertains to giving & receiving justice. What makes this book incredibly useful is how the author puts the hadith and the Quran excerpts within the context of the times when they were revealed and then relate them back to how we can apply the lessons from the Quran & hadiths in our more modernized times. It really drives home the point that Allah SWT & Prophet Muhammad SAW's universal teachings will always be timeless because they serve as broad guidelines as to how we should live our lives.
Some of the chapters will relate to one another due to the related and interconnected concepts, which means this can be a bit repetitive at times, but that means that it's more useful in some ways as repetitions make us retain information a lot easier. Definitely a recommended read for Muslims & non-Muslims alike.
"40 on Justice" is one of the most useful and informative books that talks about the famous 40 Hadiths and how they relate back to the topic of justice. When it comes to 'justice', Sheikh Omar Suleiman talks about a myriad of topics in this compilation, varying from social justice, our neighbourly duties, our relations to families and friends, our personal & collective responsibilities, the dangers of riba and tatfeef (the practice of giving less in measure and weight to people when you sell them something, and take more in measure and weight when you are the buyer), and so much more.
This was an eye-opening read in so many ways due to the way Sheikh Omar extrapolates and handles the hadiths and tells us how they relate back to our daily lives and duties. It's amazing to read about how the Qur'an and hadith have supplied us with so many 'ammunitions' so that we know how to conduct ourselves when in private and in public, especially when it pertains to giving & receiving justice. What makes this book incredibly useful is how the author puts the hadith and the Quran excerpts within the context of the times when they were revealed and then relate them back to how we can apply the lessons from the Quran & hadiths in our more modernized times. It really drives home the point that Allah SWT & Prophet Muhammad SAW's universal teachings will always be timeless because they serve as broad guidelines as to how we should live our lives.
Some of the chapters will relate to one another due to the related and interconnected concepts, which means this can be a bit repetitive at times, but that means that it's more useful in some ways as repetitions make us retain information a lot easier. Definitely a recommended read for Muslims & non-Muslims alike.
January 21, 2025
The Prophet ﷺ said, “Whoever among you sees evil, let him change it with his hand. If he cannot do so, then with his tongue. If he cannot do so, then with his heart, which is the weakest level of faith.”
Deze hadith vormt de basis van dit boek. Ik heb dit boek echt een tijdje geleden gekocht, puur uit interesse naar hoe onze profeet ﷺ zorgde voor rechtvaardigheid in zijn samenleving en hoe wij dit tegenwoordig kunnen toepassen. Ik heb oprecht het gevoel dat dit een boek is dat mijn kijk op het leven fundamenteel heeft veranderd omdat ik ZOVEEL heb bijgeleerd over verschillende maatschappelijke onderwerpen vanuit islamitisch perspectief en daarvoor ben ik dr. Omar Suleiman eeuwig dankbaar.
Hij legt 40 verschillende onderwerpen op tafel
via 40 hadiths en bespreekt hoe wij ze praktisch kunnen toepassen, bv. hoe werden mensen met beperking behandeld door de profeet ﷺ, hoe moet een getrouwd koppel omgaan met de rechten van hun partner, hoe moeten we verandering brengen in onze samenleving, hoe moeten handelsrelaties eruitzien (waarom is rente haram), hoe moeten we omgaan met zieke mensen, wat zegt islam over slavernij, racisme, vrouwenrechten …
Het is een perfect boek voor moslims en niet-moslims om te leren hoe islam het concept van rechtvaardigheid invult. Ik wil dit boek ook oprecht aanraden aan iedereen die benieuwd is naar het islamitisch perspectief (aka no peace without justice, aka you can not combat evil with evil) en dit boek maakt onder andere ook duidelijk waarom Malcolm X zo hard geloofde in islam als basis voor een rechtvaardige Amerikaanse maatschappij (aka the infamous letter from Hajj, ik quote “America needs to understand Islam because this is the one religion that erases from its society the race problem)
In een wereld waar rechtvaardigheid precies ver te zoeken is, vormt dit boek oprecht een baken van hoop. De wereld is maakbaar en via kleine stappen (daden, woorden, intenties) kunnen we wereldse rechtvaardigheid in welke vorm dan ook bereiken (inshallah).
Deze hadith vormt de basis van dit boek. Ik heb dit boek echt een tijdje geleden gekocht, puur uit interesse naar hoe onze profeet ﷺ zorgde voor rechtvaardigheid in zijn samenleving en hoe wij dit tegenwoordig kunnen toepassen. Ik heb oprecht het gevoel dat dit een boek is dat mijn kijk op het leven fundamenteel heeft veranderd omdat ik ZOVEEL heb bijgeleerd over verschillende maatschappelijke onderwerpen vanuit islamitisch perspectief en daarvoor ben ik dr. Omar Suleiman eeuwig dankbaar.
Hij legt 40 verschillende onderwerpen op tafel
via 40 hadiths en bespreekt hoe wij ze praktisch kunnen toepassen, bv. hoe werden mensen met beperking behandeld door de profeet ﷺ, hoe moet een getrouwd koppel omgaan met de rechten van hun partner, hoe moeten we verandering brengen in onze samenleving, hoe moeten handelsrelaties eruitzien (waarom is rente haram), hoe moeten we omgaan met zieke mensen, wat zegt islam over slavernij, racisme, vrouwenrechten …
Het is een perfect boek voor moslims en niet-moslims om te leren hoe islam het concept van rechtvaardigheid invult. Ik wil dit boek ook oprecht aanraden aan iedereen die benieuwd is naar het islamitisch perspectief (aka no peace without justice, aka you can not combat evil with evil) en dit boek maakt onder andere ook duidelijk waarom Malcolm X zo hard geloofde in islam als basis voor een rechtvaardige Amerikaanse maatschappij (aka the infamous letter from Hajj, ik quote “America needs to understand Islam because this is the one religion that erases from its society the race problem)
In een wereld waar rechtvaardigheid precies ver te zoeken is, vormt dit boek oprecht een baken van hoop. De wereld is maakbaar en via kleine stappen (daden, woorden, intenties) kunnen we wereldse rechtvaardigheid in welke vorm dan ook bereiken (inshallah).
April 28, 2021
What can possibly I say that would do justice to this magnificent book?
Knowing that Dr Omar Suleiman has done a lot of community work that involves, among others, immigrants, the disabled, and war victims, I thought this book would lean towards law and politics. Having listened to his lectures on Al Maghrib Online, I thought this book will be based on those lectures.
I was not entirely correct.
This book is a book about our interactions with others, what rights others have upon us, and what rights do we have upon others. Yes, Dr Omar started off talking about the gravity of injustice in Islam, and then moved on to leadership, and then about a word of truth in the face of an oppressor. When we talk about oppression, we think about unjust governments, about dictators, about corruption and broken justice system.
However, as we move along the book, the oppressor might just be ourselves, or among ourselves. The oppressive people could be the greedy, deceiving business person, the dishonest government servant, a cheating employee, the bullying employer, a rich and/or powerful person misusing his/her priviledge, the abusive neighbour, the corrupt banking system involved in usury, or the ambiguous insurance company.
Not only that, the book brings us to be more introspective as we look at the rights of our parents upon us, our spouses, our siblings and extended family, and the elderly in the society. These relationships are even more relatable to us as we all have rights and responsibilities with at least one or two of these individuals.
Dr Omar went on to touch about a few other issues such as slavery, treatment of immigrants and asylum seekers, gender equity, conduct towards those with special needs, and racism. As justice is Islam is all-encompassing, he spoke also spoke at length about the correct ways of dealing with animals, and environmentalism.
For the language, the book is easy to read. It uses simple English and the topics well articulated. However, for the thoughts, it is a different story. Personally, as someone who’s worked with thousands of people, one at a time, I tend to look back and reflect on the things I’ve said and done to everyone around me; my bosses, fellow colleagues, juniors, and most importantly, my beloved ‘clients’. More importantly, I looked back at my relationship with my parents, siblings, extended family and friends; what could I do to be excellent in all that I do.
It was pretty heavy for me. But it was good. I thank Allah that I was made aware of this book. As it is Ramadhan, month of the Quran, social justice is probably not the kind of read that someone does in this month. However, I am glad I did, because at least now I am aware of my shortcomings and I could make a lot of du’as to overcome those issues.
This is an excellent book that should be read by anyone, teenagers and above. We are all shepherds to our flocks, big or small. We were sent as Allah’s vicegerent in this world. There is at least someone or something that we’re responsible for in this world. This book would give an overview of how we should treat each other, and would help us develop our own leadership qualities.
May Allah shower barakah to Dr Omar Suleiman’s efforts on writing this book, protect him and his family, and grant them jannatul firdaus. Aameen.
August 14, 2023
My thoughts on this book:
💓It changes my perception on justice.
💓One of the topic that really hit me hard is on Justice towards your children. How their vulnerability and dependable to us, making us as parents being unfair to them. How we keep on justifying our actions by saying this is for their own good though deep inside we know we are being oppressive towards them. I was astounded.
💓 Justice doesn't only covers our relationship with Allah and human beings but also animals and environment too.
💓When we are so use being unfair or oppressive towards others even though on small matters, this will eventually lead to bigger type of oppression.
💓Finally I found the answer to my lifetime question in this book! When I was a teenager, I always wonder why are people giving advice to abuse victims (especially in marriage) to be patience and have trust in Allah and at the same time expect the victims not to take action on their abuser? And mostly this type of people have the same traits which is using religion to justify their reasoning.
Do you know that Allah never wanted His servant to harm themselves? Do you know that Justice in Islam meant that the victim or those oppressed have rights to fight injustice? And it is up to the victim or the oppressed to pardon his or her oppressor. We as society should be lending our hands to help them get their justice and we do not have right to ask these victims to pardon their oppressor if they do not wish to. Not pardoning your oppressor is NOT A SIN!
And of course Allah give abundant rewards to those who are able to pardoned. Able to pardoned doesn't mean the oppressor are let off the hook. Those who wronged others must be punished accordingly.
Alhamdulillah this definitely worth reading. It makes you ponder and reflect on yourself, am I oppressing others?
💓It changes my perception on justice.
💓One of the topic that really hit me hard is on Justice towards your children. How their vulnerability and dependable to us, making us as parents being unfair to them. How we keep on justifying our actions by saying this is for their own good though deep inside we know we are being oppressive towards them. I was astounded.
💓 Justice doesn't only covers our relationship with Allah and human beings but also animals and environment too.
💓When we are so use being unfair or oppressive towards others even though on small matters, this will eventually lead to bigger type of oppression.
💓Finally I found the answer to my lifetime question in this book! When I was a teenager, I always wonder why are people giving advice to abuse victims (especially in marriage) to be patience and have trust in Allah and at the same time expect the victims not to take action on their abuser? And mostly this type of people have the same traits which is using religion to justify their reasoning.
Do you know that Allah never wanted His servant to harm themselves? Do you know that Justice in Islam meant that the victim or those oppressed have rights to fight injustice? And it is up to the victim or the oppressed to pardon his or her oppressor. We as society should be lending our hands to help them get their justice and we do not have right to ask these victims to pardon their oppressor if they do not wish to. Not pardoning your oppressor is NOT A SIN!
And of course Allah give abundant rewards to those who are able to pardoned. Able to pardoned doesn't mean the oppressor are let off the hook. Those who wronged others must be punished accordingly.
Alhamdulillah this definitely worth reading. It makes you ponder and reflect on yourself, am I oppressing others?
November 14, 2023
#sisoread2023
Book no 55/65
This book is an incredible compilation of hadith regarding justice.
Justice for the environment, animals, and people to people, as well as the idea that there can be no peace without justice.
With everything going on right now, I suppose it's time for me to finally get around to reading this book that I bought earlier this year.
Alhamdulillah, it's a truly wonderful book.
One of the essence of justice in Islam that I learn from this book is it is more than just a law. Justice is concerned with both an inward quality of the soul and an outward quality of virtue. We have to be just to ourselves and with everything else and everyone else around us.
What make it better is we can look for the explanation in the author's lecture while we read this book.
#sisoread #reflection #book #reader
Book no 55/65
This book is an incredible compilation of hadith regarding justice.
Justice for the environment, animals, and people to people, as well as the idea that there can be no peace without justice.
With everything going on right now, I suppose it's time for me to finally get around to reading this book that I bought earlier this year.
Alhamdulillah, it's a truly wonderful book.
One of the essence of justice in Islam that I learn from this book is it is more than just a law. Justice is concerned with both an inward quality of the soul and an outward quality of virtue. We have to be just to ourselves and with everything else and everyone else around us.
What make it better is we can look for the explanation in the author's lecture while we read this book.
#sisoread #reflection #book #reader
March 5, 2023
Read the translation of the Qur’an by the Qur’an Project if you want to strengthen your faith in the deen. Read handbook of spiritual medicine if you want to improve your character. Read this if you want to fall in love with the deen.
May 20, 2021
I had the pleasure of starting to read this book in the holy month of Ramadan, right after finishing Dr Yasir Qadhi's book on Lessons from Surah Al-Kahf. It is because of this book, it inclined me toward exploring books written by American scholars who are doing a fabulous job in teaching Islam in the west. In this book, Omar Sulaiman expounded on 40 Hadith (Prophetic Traditions) on justice in Islam. Alhumdulillah, he has perfectly chosen these hadith keeping in mind the past, current and future scenarios (Political, personal & societal). I would encourage anyone who wants to learn about Islam against how it is being portrayed today and understand that the religion of Islam is a blessing for the whole of mankind. For existing people of the faith, it increases their knowledge and will help them understand their religion from a deeper perspective and guide them toward attaining Excellence. May Allah bless Omar Sulaiman for his efforts through his book and May Allah guide all of us to the path of the righteous and help us live our lives on the basis of the Quran and Prophetic Traditions. Ameen.
July 5, 2021
Excellent work by Dr. Omar Sulaiman. Choosing a hadith is not easy when it comes to talking the theme of it. Liked the explanation and steps to do social justice. Very recommendable to everyone to read this book.
October 8, 2023
A must read to get insight and understanding of everything around us and how can we improve ourselves a little bit every day.
August 14, 2024
Must read.
December 18, 2025
Valuable lessons not practiced enough in society. Would have benefitted from greater depth and more thorough editing.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews