9.8 The Judge of al-Mazalim (grievances)
The judge of Mazalim is a judge appointed to remove every Madhlima (unjust act) perpetrated by the State against any person, whether this person were a citizen of the State or a person living under its authority, and whether this Madhlima were perpetrated by the Khalifah or those working under him, be they rulers or civil servants. This is the definition of the judge of Mazalim. The origin of the judiciary of Mazalim 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 Mazlima. 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 Creator, the Recipient, the Extender of wealth, the Provider, and the Pricer, and I hope that I will meet Allah (S.W.T) without having anyone accusing me of having perpetrated a Mazlima against him be it in blood or in money.’” This is narrated by Ahmad [See Musnad, 3/286]. He (PBUH), therefore judged pricing as being a Mazlama, for if he had done it, i.e. introduced pricing, he would have acted without authority..
He (PBUH) also made the issues that affect the common rights which the State organises for the people as part of the Mazalim. If an administrative system was set up to regulate one of the interests of the citizens, and a citizen considered that the system is unjust for him, then his case is examined by the Mathalim. This is because it is a complaint against an administrative system of one of the interests of the citizens set up by the State. This is like the irrigation of farming lands by common water according to a schedule regulated by the State. .