No person is above the law

Ali (radiallahu anhu) the Caliph (ruler of the Islamic Empire that ruled half the world at the time) was walking in the market place when he saw a shield, that had been stolen from him some time ago, in the possession of a Jew. He confronted the Jew and informed him that the shield belonged to him. The Jew refused to return it and claimed that it was his. Ali (radiallahu anhu) decided to take the matter to court and requested Qadi Shuraih to settle the dispute between them. Qadi Shuraih was the Muslim judge of Kufa at the time and had been appointed by Ali (radiallahu anhu) himself. The following discussion took place in court:

Shuraih: “O Amir al-Muminin (The Caliph), what is your claim?”

Ali (radiallahu anhu): “This shield belongs to me. It was stolen from me some time ago.”

Shuraih:”What do you have to say, O Jew?”

Jew: “The Amir al-Muminin (The Caliph) is a grave liar! The shield is mine.”

Shuraih: “Ali, do you have any witnesses?”

‘Ali (radiallahu anhu): “Yes. Hasan, my son, and Qunbar, my slave, are my witnesses.”

Shuraih: “The testimony of your slave is acceptable but your son cannot testify in your favour.”

‘Ali (radiallahu anhu) lost the case. He turned to the Jew, saying, “You may keep the shield.”

Jew: “The Amir al-Muminin brought me to a Muslim judge and is pleased with the judgment passed against him! You have spoken the truth, O ‘Ali. The shield was yours all along. I picked it up one day, after you had dropped it. I declare that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad (Allah bless him and grant him peace) is his messenger.”

‘Ali (radiallahu anhu) gave the shield to him anyway. He, thereafter, remained faithful to ‘Ali (radiallahu anhu) until his death.

Islamic justice applies equally to all men. No person is above the law.