Names of Allah
Al-Adl
Al-ʿAdl
The Just — whose every decree and action is the embodiment of justice, free from any oppression.
What does Al-Adl mean?
Al-Adl is one of the 99 Names of Allah, meaning "The Utterly Just," "The Embodiment of Justice". It affirms that Allah is perfectly just in all that He decrees, commands, and judges. He never wrongs anyone, gives every soul exactly its due, and His justice is absolute — untouched by favouritism, ignorance, or need. He is justice itself.
The Meaning in Depth
Human justice is limited by incomplete knowledge and self-interest; the justice of Al-Adl flows from perfect knowledge of every act, intention, and circumstance. He will judge with flawless fairness on the Day of Judgement, where not even an atom's weight of good or evil is overlooked. His justice and His mercy are not in conflict: He may forgive out of mercy, but He never punishes unjustly.
Al-Adl in the Quran
- "Indeed, Allah does not do injustice, even as much as an atom's weight." (4:40)
- "And We place the scales of justice for the Day of Resurrection, so no soul will be treated unjustly at all." (21:47)
- "And your Lord does not wrong anyone." (18:49)
Living by This Name
Al-Adl assures the believer that no wrong goes unaccounted and no good is ever lost — a profound comfort for the oppressed and a sober warning to the oppressor. It also commands the believer to embody justice: to be fair in speech, judgement, and dealings, even against oneself or one's kin, for the Quran orders "stand firmly for justice, witnesses for Allah" (4:135). Establishing justice is among the highest purposes for which messengers were sent.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Allah's justice and mercy work together?
They never contradict. Allah's mercy may lead Him to forgive and overlook, while His justice guarantees He never punishes anyone undeservedly. Both are perfect: He is the Most Merciful and the Utterly Just at once.
Why does injustice exist if Allah is Al-Adl?
Injustice in the world comes from the misuse of human free will, not from God. Al-Adl has decreed a Day of Judgement on which every wrong will be perfectly redressed and every right restored.
Etymology & origin
Al-Adl (العدل) is from the root ʿ-D-L (ع-د-ل), meaning "justice, equity, balance, and straightness". Adl is to put each thing in its rightful place. While the name is often listed among the 99 Names, its meaning saturates the Quran: Allah is perfectly just, never wronging anyone by even an atom's weight.
References
- Quran:
- 4:40, 4:135, 16:90, 18:49, 21:47
- Hadith:
- Muslim 2577 (O My servants, I have forbidden injustice upon Myself); Bukhari 2440 (injustice will be darkness on the Day of Judgement); Muslim 1827 (the just will be on pulpits of light); Tirmidhi 2526 (the supplication of the oppressed is answered)
Related terms
Al-Aleem
The All-Knowing — whose knowledge encompasses all things past, present, future, hidden and apparent.
Al-Hakeem
The All-Wise — whose every act and decree is governed by infinite wisdom.
Al-Malik
The King, the Sovereign — the Absolute Ruler whose dominion encompasses everything in existence.
Mizan
The Scale — the balance on which deeds will be weighed on the Day of Judgment; whoever's good deeds outweigh the bad attains success.
Yawm al-Qiyamah
The Day of Resurrection — when all creation is raised, gathered, judged, and recompensed; the great Day mentioned throughout the Quran.