The Qadhi Al-Mazaalim is a judge appointed to remove every Mazlema (unjust act) perpetrated by the State against any person, whether this person was a citizen of the State or a person living under its authority, and whether the Khaleefah or those working under Him perpetrated this Mazlema, be they rulers or civil servants.

This is the definition of the judge of Mazaalim. The origin of the judiciary of Mazaalim is derived from reports referred to the Messenger of Allah (pbuh), where He described the unjust acts perpetrated by the ruler while ruling over the subjects as being a Mazlema. Anas reported:

“Prices soared during the time of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) so they said to him; ‘O Messenger of Allah why don’t you introduce pricing?’ He said;

‘Verily Allah is the Recipient, the Extender of wealth, the Provider, and the Pricer, and I hope that I will meet Allah (swt) without having anyone accusing me of having perpetrated a Mazlema against Him be it in blood or in money.’” [Narrated by Ahmad]

He (pbuh), therefore judged pricing as being a Mazlema, for if He had done it, i.e. introduced pricing, He would have acted without a due right given to him. He (pbuh) also made the issues that affect the public rights that the State organises for the people as part of the Mazaalim, such as the irrigation of farming lands by common water in turn. The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) looked into the dispute over irrigation that took place between Az-Zubayr Ibnul-’Awwam and a man of the Ansar. He (pbuh) witnessed it personally and said to Az-Zubayr;

“You irrigate first O Zubayr and then let the water go to you neighbour.” Therefore, any Mazlema that occurs against any person, whether perpetrated by the ruler, or as a result of the State’s organisations or orders, would be considered as a Mazlema, as gathered from the two Ahadith. The matter would be referred to the Khaleefah to deal with or to whomever the Khaleefah appoints as Qadhi al-Mazaalim to deal with such matters on his behalf.