There are 28 instances of `adala and `adl in verb and noun form in the Quran, are reviewed to better understand their meanings in different contexts being aware that the Arabic word may have different meanings in different contexts to avoid misinterpretation messages in certain verses of the Quran:
- Details of instances of `adala in verb form I meaning “to be just”
[4:3] And if you have feared that you cannot act equitably with the orphans, then marry what is pleasing to you from the women—two, and three, and four; while if you have feared that you cannot act justly (a-llaa ta`diluu), then one, or what your right hands possess. That is closer that you do not oppress.
[4:129] And you will never be able to act justly between the wives (an ta`diluu bayna al-nisaa-i), even if you have desired. So do not incline all inclining so that you leave her like a hanging one. And if you amend and fear [God], then indeed, God has been Forgiving, Merciful.
[4:135] O you who have believed, be maintainers of justice, witnesses for God, even if it be against yourselves, or the parents and the relatives. If he is rich or poor, then God is closer to both of them. So do not follow the desire lest you deviate (an ta`diluu). And if you distort or turn away, then indeed, God has been Cognizant of what you do.
[5:8] O you who have believed, be maintainers for God as witnesses in justice; and let not the hatred of a people incite you to not act justly (a-llaa ta`diluu). Act justly (i`’diluu); that is nearer to righteousness. And fear God; indeed, God is Cognizant of what you do.
[6:1] All praise is to God, the One who created the heavens and the earth, and made the darkness and the light; yet those who disbelieve make [others] equal to their Lord (bi-rabbihim ya`diluuna).
[6:70] And leave those who have taken their religion as play and amusement, and whom the life of the world has deceived. And remind with it, lest a soul be ruined for what it has earned; it has no protector other than God, nor any intercessor. And if it offers (wa-in ta’dil) every compensation, it will not be taken from it. Those are the ones who are ruined for what they have earned. For them is a drink of boiling water and a painful punishment for what they have been disbelieving.”
[6:150] Say: “Bring forth your witnesses—those who bear witness that God has forbidden this.” So if they have borne witness, then do not bear witness with them. And do not follow the desires of those who have denied Our revelations and those who do not believe in the Hereafter, while they make [others] equal to their Lord (wa-huwa bi-rabbihim ya`diluuna)!
[6:152] And do not approach the wealth of the orphan except in a way that is best until he reaches his maturity. And give full measure and weight in justice. We do not burden a soul beyond its capacity. And when you have spoken, then act justly (fa-i`’diluu), even if he has been a near relative. And the covenant of God fulfill. This He has enjoined upon you so that you may reflect.
[7:159] And from among the people of Moses is a community which guides by the truth, and by it they act justly (wa-bihi ya`diluuna).
[7:181] And from among those whom we have created is a community—they guide by the truth, and by it they act justly (wa-bihi ya`diluuna).
[27:60] Or He Who has created the heavens and the earth, and has sent down water from the sky for you? Whereby We have caused to grow gardens full of beauty therewith; it has not been yours that you could grow their trees. Is there any god with God? Nay, they are a people who make equal [others] (bal hum qawmun ya`diluuna).
[42:15] So for that, therefore, invite and stand firm as you have been commanded, and do not follow their desires, and say, “I have believed in what God has sent down of scripture, and I have been commanded to act justly among you (li-a`dila baynakumu). God is our Lord and your Lord. To us are our deeds, and to you are your deeds. There is no argument between us and you. God will gather us together, and to Him is the final return.”
[82:7] He Who has created you, then has fashioned you, then has proportioned you (fa-`adalaka)
- Details of instances of `adl in noun form meaning “justice”
[2:48] And fear a day when no soul will avail another soul anything, nor will intercession be accepted from it, nor will compensation be taken from it (wa-laa-yu’khadhu min’haa `adlun), nor will they be helped.
[2:123] And fear a day when no soul will avail another soul anything, nor will compensation be accepted from it (wa-laa-yuq’balu min’haa adlun), nor will any intercession benefit it, nor will they be helped.
[2:282] O you who have believed, when you have contracted one another of any debt for a fixed period, then you shall write it and a scribe shall write down between of you with the justice. And a scribe should not refuse that he writes down like that God has taught him. So he shall write down and the one on whom is the right shall dictate. And he shall fear God, his Lord and will not diminish anything from it. Then if the one on him is the right of a limited knowledge, or weak, or he is not able to dictate, then his guardian shall dictate with the justice (fal’yum’lil waliyyuhum bil-`adli) , and shall call for two witnesses from your men, then if there are not two men, then one man and two women you agree of the witnesses that she errs – one of two, then one of two will remind the other. And the witnesses should not refuse when that they have been called upon (them). And do not be weary that you write it whether lesser or greater for its term. That is more just with God and more straight for the evidence and nearer that you do not have doubt except that a transaction be present, you carry out among yourselves, then it has not been any sin upon you that you do not write. And you shall have witness when you have made an commercial transaction. A scribe should not be harmed, nor a witness, and if you do, then indeed, it is a sinful conduct for you, and you shall fear God. And God teaches you and God is Knower of everything.
[4:58] Indeed, God commands you that you restore trusts to their owners, and when you have judged between the people, that you judge with the justice (an tahkumuu bil-`adli). Indeed, God is excellent in what He admonishes you with; indeed, God has been Hearer, Seer.
[5:95] O you who have believed, do not kill game while you are in a state of pilgrim sanctity. And whoever among you kills it intentionally—then a recompense equivalent to what he killed from the cattle, as judged by two just men among you, an offering reaching the Ka’bah; or an expiation of feeding needy people, or the equivalent of that in fasting (aw `adlu dhaalika siyaaman), that he may taste the consequence of his matter. God has pardoned what is past; but whoever returns, God will take retribution from him. And God is Almighty, Owner of Retribution.
[5:106] O you who have believed, a testimony between yourselves at the time of the will when the death has approached to one of you, are two just men from you (ith’naani dhawaa `adlin min’kum) or two others from other than you if you had traveled in the land, then there has befallen you a disaster of the death. You will detain both of them after the salat prayer, then they both will swear by God if you have doubted, “We will not exchange of it for a price even if he has been of a near relative, nor will we conceal a testimony of God. Indeed, we then surely would be with the sinners.”
[6:70] And leave those who have taken their religion as play and amusement, and whom the life of the world has deceived. And remind with it, lest a soul be ruined for what it has earned; it has no protector other than God, nor any intercessor. And if it offers every compensation (kulla `adlin), it will not be taken from it. Those are the ones who are ruined for what they have earned. For them is a drink of boiling water and a painful punishment for what they have been disbelieving.”
[6:115] And the Word of your Lord has culminated in truth and justice (sid’qan wa-`adlan). There is no changer of His words, and He is the Hearer, the Knower.
[16:76] And God has set an example of two men—one of them is dumb, he does not have power over anything, and he is a burden on his master; wherever he directs him, he does not bring any good. Is he equal to whoever commands justice (wa-man yamuru bil-`adli) while he is upon a straight path?
[16:90] Indeed, God commands with the justice and the kindness (inna allaha yamaru bil-`adli wal-ih’saani) and giving to the possessor of kinship, and He forbids from the immorality and the evil and the oppression. He admonishes you so that you may take heed.
[49:9] And if two parties of the believers have fought, then make peace between them. But if one of them oppresses the other, then fight the one that oppresses until it returns to the command of God. Then if it returns, then make peace between them in justice (fa-aslihuu baynahumaa bil-`adli), and act justly. Indeed, God loves those who act justly.”
[65:2] So when they have reached their term, then retain them in kindness or part with them in kindness. And take as witness two just men from among you (wa-ash’hiduu dhaway `adli min’kum) and establish the testimony for God. That is he who believes in God and the Last Day is admonished with; and whoever fears God, He will make a way out for him.
God wants His servants to act justly and maintain justice for their personal character, societal harmony, and theological purity by demanding absolute honesty and unbiased fairness toward all people, while those who make equal to their Lord and take their religion as play and amusement will find neither compensation nor intercessor to escape a painful punishment for what they had been wronging.
Peaceful Friday, salaam and God bless. Tafazzal (10/02/2026).