Sulayman b. David

**Equity and Justice: The Shia Perspective**

In the Shia tradition, the principles of equity and justice are not incidental to governance; rather, they are the very foundation upon which a righteous society is constructed. Sulayman’s adjudications, including his iconic judgment involving two women claiming motherhood over a child, resonate profoundly within this context. His decision to threaten division of the child, revealing the true mother through her willingness to relinquish her claim, is a rich narrative illustrating the essence of justice.

This story encapsulates the Shia ethos of selflessness and altruism. It magnifies the moral imperative to prioritize the greater good over personal desires—a cornerstone of Shia teachings. The metaphorical representation of justice as a “sculptor chiseling away obfuscation to unveil the truth” emphasizes the intricate process involved in discerning fairness. It invites adherents to reflect upon their personal lives, encouraging them to become sculptors who remove excess to expose clarity and equity in their interrelations.