The three monotheistic religions namely Christianity, Judaism and Islam have a code of social justice that is linked to spirituality. The need for social justice coupled with the emergence of spirituality as a core element in the practice of social work implies that research centered on the existing relationship between social work and spirituality is of paramount importance.
In the “Letter from Birmingham Jail” written by Martin Luther King Junior on the 16 th of April 1963, we note that the author had had the opportunity of offering his services as the leader of the “Southern Christian Leadership Conference.” This organization carried out its activities in all the states of the Southern region and had its head offices in Atlanta, Georgia. One of the organizations attached to it, the “Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights”, championed for justice through creation of advocacy for the fundamental rights of humans. The author, a spiritual leader and active participant in various Christian activities, noted that he was in Birmingham because of the fact that injustice was there. It thus had to take the combined effort of the various Christian groups and Organizations to address the injustice of racial profiling and segregation in Birmingham. The author notes that the Black Community had experienced its fair share of unjust hearings and trials in the courts of law. Some of the homes and churches belonging to the Negro community had been bombed and persons brutalized but all these cases remained unsolved. Therefore, the Black community had no other means of airing their grievances other than through nonviolent demonstrations and campaigns. One of the ways in which this kind of Christian activism and social justice campaign posed challenges was the manner in which it might have gone against the mainstream federal law system. Martin Luther King Jr was consequently arrested and put behind bars (Luther King Junior). This demonstrated that Christianity and agitation for social justice were interlinked and helped in the creation of awareness on the need to observe the rights of humankind and provision of a safe environment that offered equal opportunities to all, regardless of race.
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Islam and its correlation with justice has been explained by the prophet’s Hadith which states that “…religion is not what one formally or ritualistically practices but how one deals with others.” Therefore, every Muslim’s actions should be just and must demonstrate their belief in the Quran and in Allah. They should justly execute the will of God here on earth by engaging in responsible deeds. Social justice is seen in the Muslim’s duty which requires that they should defend that which is right while opposing that which proves to be wrong. Preserving social order and justice in the society will thus be accomplished and maintained by observing moral principles. Muslim leaders are tasked with ensuring that this is achieved. Moreover, the Qur’an clearly stipulates the Islamic Law, otherwise referred to as The Shariah. The Shariah lays bare the rules and regulations which govern the Muslim community while forming the foundations for the relationship which exists between man and God and between man and his fellow men. The provisions of the Sharia are to be strictly followed to ensure that justice is offered and maintained (Bassiouni). One challenge that Islam currently faces is the misconception that is held by some quarters regarding how it handles issues to do with justice and human rights. It should be emphasized that Islam is a peaceful religion that preaches peace for all humanity.
Last but not least, justice and spirituality in Judaism is demonstrated through the concept of Tikkun Olam. This has been defined by kind actions whose sole purpose is to positively change the world. Here, social justice is achieved through “Physical fixing of the world and changing lives by making changes in social systems” as is explained by several Jewish teachers in their explanation of what Tikkun Olam really is. It is concerned with social responsibility and the seeking of social justice.
References
Bassiouni, M. Cherif. Introduction to Islam: An Online Text . Middle East Institute, Washington DC, 2012. Accessed 31 July 2020.
Luther King Junior, Martin. Why We Cant Wait, "Letter From The Birmingham Jail". . Martin Luther King Jr Papers Project, 1963, pp. 77-100.
