Assalamu’alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh
Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim
1. Introduction
Juridically and psychologically, law is created not to shackle, but to protect human space so we do not collide with one another. In neuroscience, the feeling of being treated fairly triggers the release of oxytocin, which builds trust within society. Conversely, extreme law enforcement without humanity, or granting rights without limits, will trigger collective stress. Moderation in law (Legal Moderation) ensures that every rule has a “spirit” of justice. Law without rights is tyranny, while rights without law is anarchy. The human soul will only feel at peace when it knows its rights are protected by a just and dignified law
Evidence from the Qur’an and Hadith
Allah SWT and His Messenger command us to uphold justice as the main pillar of human dignity:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالْإِحْسَانِ وَإِيتَاءِ ذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ
"Indeed, Allah commands justice, good conduct, and giving to relatives." (QS. An-Nahl : 90)[
كُل الْمُسْلِمِ عَلَى الْمُسْلِمِ حَرَامٌ، دَمُهُ، وَمَالُهُ، وَعِرْضُهُ
"Every Muslim is inviolable to another Muslim: his blood, his wealth, and his honor." (HR. Muslim)
2. Lessons and Messages
Human dignity is a “Ka‘bah” that must be guarded in every legal interaction. Do not use law as a tool to crush another person’s dignity, and do not demand your rights by trampling on the rights of others. True justice is when you dare to admit your own mistakes before pointing out the faults of others. Moderation teaches us that above written law, there is still a heavenly law called “Manners and Compassion.”Recall the story of Caliph Ali bin Abi Thalib who lost his chain mail and found it being carried by a non-Muslim citizen. Ali did not use his power to seize it by force, but took the man to court. Before the judge, Ali lost because he lacked sufficient evidence. The judge ruled that the chain mail belonged to the citizen. Seeing the highest leader submit to the law without the slightest anger, the man wept and said, "This is the law of the Prophets! The leader loses in his own court for the sake of truth." He then embraced Islam and admitted that the chain mail did indeed belong to Ali and had fallen off. Moderate justice touches the heart more deeply than violence.Law and Rights are like railroad tracks. The right track is law (obligations), and the left track is rights. The train of life can only run stably and quickly if both tracks are parallel, with neither higher nor more dominant. If the law is too rigid without granting rights, the train will derail. If rights demand freedom without the track of law, the train will go off course and be destroyed. Moderation is the tie that binds both tracks together so they remain firm.There was a man who demanded his “Right to Freedom” to an extreme. He danced around, swinging his arms wide in the middle of the market until his hand hit someone’s nose. When reprimanded, he shouted, "This is my right to swing my arms in a free country!" The person who got hit replied calmly, "True, sir. Your right to swing your arm ends right at the tip of my nose!" That is moderation; your freedom is your right, but another person’s nose is a sovereign legal territory you may not violate without permission!
3. Conclusion
Dear brothers and sisters, moderation in law and rights is the key to a nation’s dignity. Let us make law a path to honor human beings, not to degrade them. Respect the rights of others as we wish our own rights to be respected. With this balance, we are not only safe in the eyes of worldly law, but also noble before the Most Just Judge in the Hereafter."O Allah, adorn our tongues with truth, strengthen our hands to uphold justice, and fill our hearts with respect for Your fellow servants. Amin
والله أعلم بالصواب
الحمد لله رب العالمين
Wassalamu’alaikum Warahmaullahi Wabarakatuh.
ِAbu Sultan Al-Qadrie
