أَلَيسَ اللَّهُ بِأَحكَمِ الحاكِمينَ

Is not Allah the fairest of all judges?

EXEGESIS

A-laysa (is not …) is a rhetorical question, the answer of which is quite clear; this phrase is used to highlight that God is most definitely the fairest of all judges.^{‎[1]Ithna Ashari, 14/276.}

Ḥākimīn is a plural active participle derived from the root word ḥ-k-m which originally means to prevent.^{‎[2]Raghib, under ḥ-k-m.} A judge is called ḥākim because he prevents argument and disorder. Wisdom is called ḥikmah for it prevents mistake and deviation, and ḥakīm is the one who is wise.^{‎[3]Al-Rāʾid, under ḥ-k-m.} Rāghib^{‎[4]Raghib, under ḥ-k-m.} mentions that ḥikmah is to perform things properly and with perfection (itqān) and God is ḥakīm because He created everything with utmost perfection: [Allah is the one] who perfected (aḥkama) everything that He created, and commenced man’s creation from clay (32:7).

EXPOSITION

This verse emphasises the judgement of God, which is the fairest of all judgements. Because justice is never perfectly served in this world, it is necessary for there to exist a hereafter and retribution in order for the ultimate justice of God to be manifested and for people to be accounted.^{‎[5]Tabrisi, 10/778.}

Hence, the rhetorical question asked in this verse is to strengthen and establish what was mentioned in the previous verse (So what makes you deny the retribution?). God is the best and fairest of all judges because His judgements are the wisest, and they overrule any other conventional judgements in this world.^{‎[6]Mizan, 20/543.}

Some have stated that if dīn in the previous verse is translated as religion then this verse would refer to the rules of God being the wisest and firmest of all. However, the former meaning is a more suitable understanding of the verse.^{‎[7]Nemuneh, 27/146.}

INSIGHTS FROM HADITH

1. It is reported that whenever the Prophet (s) would recite this chapter and reach this verse, he would say: ‘Yes, I testify to that!’^{‎[8]Tabrisi, 10/512.}

INSIGHTS FROM OTHER TRADITIONS

1. The Lord standeth up to plead, and standeth to judge the people.^{‎[9]Isaiah 13:3.}
2. Therefore, I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.^{‎[10]Ezekiel 18:30.}
3. Yet ye say, the way of the Lord is not equal. O ye house of Israel, I will judge you every one after his ways.^{‎[11]Ezekiel 33:20.}

[1] Ithna Ashari, 14/276.
[2] Raghib, under ḥ-k-m.
[3] Al-Rāʾid, under ḥ-k-m.
[4] Raghib, under ḥ-k-m.
[5] Tabrisi, 10/778.
[6] Mizan, 20/543.
[7] Nemuneh, 27/146.
[8] Tabrisi, 10/512.
[9] Isaiah 13:3.
[10] Ezekiel 18:30.
[11] Ezekiel 33:20.