Social Justice During the Lifetime of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and His Companions: Lessons to Nigerian Contemporary Society

ABSTRACT This research work titled Social Justice during the lifetime of prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his companions: lessons to Nigerian contemporary society is an attempt to enlighten the general public the type of social justice in the lifetime of prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his companions so as to serve as lessons to our present time. Islam has emphasized on numerous principles that organize relationships among members of the society. One of the most important principles is social justice with all important values that it involves like peace, love, brotherhood, and prosperity. Justice in Islam is not only practiced on Muslims. Rather, it is practiced on every human being regardless to his/her beliefs or religion. Justice as a concept refers to equality in giving rights and in abiding by obligations without discriminations for any reason, either for religion, race, color, etc. social justice in Islam comprises three elements i.e., equitable distribution of wealth, provision of social security and protection of the weak against the strong. The aim of this research is also to focus on Basic Human Rights such as the Right to life, the Right to safety of life, Respect for the chastity of women, Individual’s right to freedom, Equality of human beings, and the Right to cooperate and not to cooperate. This research examined the need to adopt the type a social justice obtained the area of justice and extend in the lifetime of prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and to his righteous caliphs and to put aside the type of justice brought by the orientalist. As a historical research the data were obtained from the text books written by the Muslim scholars who lived in the golden period of Islam and the contemporary period. But the primary sources to research remand the amend the characters of prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and the second sources to research study gathered through interviews of experts in the field of justice and some Muslim scholars. The researcher at the end has given valuable recommendations which would help in uplifting Islam in general and social justice in particular to a make practicable application in one present day.