JUSTICE, BALANCE, AND ETHICAL RENEWAL: SHAH WALIULLAH’S APPROACH FOR RE-ORGANIZING SOCIETY IN 21ST CENTURY

Abstract

This study explores Shah Waliullah’s model of justice, balance, and ethical renewal as a framework for reorganizing society in the 21st century. In an age marked by moral decline, corruption, social inequality, and institutional weakness, modern societies are in need of a value-based approach that connects ethics with governance and social order. Shah Waliullah of Delhi (1703–1762), one of the most influential Islamic thinkers of South Asia, lived during the collapse of the Mughal Empire and witnessed major political and social disruption. His writings show that stable societies depend on justice (‘adl), balance (tawazun), and moral reform (islah akhlaqi). This research focuses on his theory of Irtafaqat, which explains the natural hierarchy of family, community, state, and humanity. Each level has rights and responsibilities, and harmony among them ensures social stability. The study uses qualitative and analytical methods, examining both primary sources such as Hujjatullah al-Balighah and Izalat al-Khafa and modern secondary literature in English and Urdu. Findings show that Shah Waliullah’s ideas strongly relate to present-day challenges such as inequality, leadership crises, weak family systems, and global injustice. His framework offers solutions for moral development at the family level, community cooperation, fair governance, and ethical global relations. The research concludes that Irtafaqat provides a holistic and timeless model for justice and ethical renewal. Applying Shah Waliullah’s principles today can help modern societies rebuild moral foundations, reduce corruption, strengthen institutions, and achieve balanced social order.