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Justice should be established, not just imparted
Sometimes, a just outcome alone is not sufficient; justice must also be seen to be done. People must be in a position to acknowledge that justice has been carried out and that the ruling has not been biased or unfair in any way. When Yusuf (AS) interpreted the king’s dream and saved the people from potential starvation, the king ordered his immediate release from prison. However, Yusuf (AS) refused to come out of prison, despite languishing there for years, until his innocence was firmly established in the king’s court, and witnessed by all. It was only after the wife of Aziz testified against her own conduct and rendered him blameless that he left prison, thus proving his trustworthiness and lofty character.