Al-Hakam Al-Hakīm (The Judge -The All-Wise)
Hāni’ reported that when he came to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) and he heard them calling Hāni’ by the nickname Abu al-Hakam, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) called him and said to him: “Allah is Al-Hakam (the Judge) and the judgment belongs to Him. Why are you known as Abu al-Hakam?” He said: “When my people differ concerning something, they come to me, and I pass judgment among them, and both sides accept it.” He said: “How good this is! Do you have any children?” He said: “I have Shurayh, Muslim, and ‘Abdullah.” He said: “Who is the el dest of them?” He said: “Shurayh.” He said: “Then, you are Abu Shurayh.”[Narrated by Al-Nasā’i; Sahīh (authentic)]
“Al-Hakam” and “Al-Hakīm” are from the beautiful names of Allah Almighty Who says:
{...There is no god except Him, the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.}
[Surat Ᾱl ‘Imrān: 6]
He also says:
{...Verily, His is the judgment; and He is the Swiftest of Reck oners.}
[Surat al-An‘ām: 62]
Al-Hakīm has two meanings:
First: The One Who perfected all things. Allah Almighty is All-Wise because He perfected all His words and actions, all of which are right and at the peak of perfection.
An aspect of Allah’s perfection, which is the climax of wisdom, is that He puts everything in its proper place. He manages His creation in the best manner and has made the creatures in the most perfect way. Neither His management nor His creation suffers any deficiency or defect. And His actions are never subject to any error or lapse. Allah Almighty says:
{...The work of Allah Who perfected all things...}
[Surat an-Naml: 88]
Just as He perfected His creation, He also perfected the verses of His Book, the Noble Qur’an. He says:
{...But Allah would abolish what Satan casts, then Allah would confirm His verses, for Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.}
[Surat al-Hajj: 52]
He describes His book as being wise:
{These are verses of the wise Book.}
[Surat Luqmān: 2]
Second: The Judge and Ruler among His servants as He judges between them by His Shariah.
He attributes judgment exclusively to Himself. So, it is not permissible for anyone to encroach upon this right. Allah Almighty says:
{...The decision rests with Allah alone; He tells the truth and He is the Best of Judges.}
[Surat al-An‘ām: 57]
He also says:
{...Verily, His is the judgment; and He is the Swiftest of Reckoners.}
[Surat al-An‘ām: 62]
”To take Allah Almighty as the Judge and Ruler, we should refer to His Book and His Prophet’s Sunnah for judgment regarding anything we may differ about. Allah Almighty says:
{Whatever is the subject of your differences, it is for Allah to judge....}
[Surat ash-Shūra: 10]
It is Allah Almighty alone Who is worthy of being the Judge among His servants for He is their Lord, Creator, and God.
{[Say], “Should I seek a judge other than Allah when He is the One Who has sent down to you the Book explained in detail?”...}
[Surat al-An‘ām: 114]
Our Lord is the best of judges and the All-Knowing of all things. He gives the appropriate judgment regarding any issue as Allah Almighty says:
{Follow what is revealed to you, and be patient until Allah passes His judgment, for He is the Best of Judges.}
[Surat Yūnus: 109]
The believer is not truly a believer unless he submits to the Shariah of Allah and refers to it for judgment. Allah Almighty says:
{But no, by your Lord, they will not believe until they accept you [O Prophet] as judge in their disputes,and find no discomfort within their hearts about your judgments, but accept them wholeheartedly.}
[Surat an-Nisā’: 65]
Any community that claims to be Muslim yet does not rule by the Shariah of Allah will not attain success.
