Ringing in the New Year

Yea, kind of cliched.

But I hope all of you lovely folks had a good time with some loved ones, or fell asleep long before it reached midnight.

I spent the New Years at home, finishing up schoolwork (woo, wild right?)
and reading Jane Eyre (one more chapter left!)

As it is now the New Year, let's take a walk down memory lane through this past decade. Granted, I haven't been on this earth long and it's my first decade that I actually remember, but hey, it's still been eventful (at least what I thought was eventful).

2000
-Aunt's wedding, flower girl (I kid you not, this is about as eventful as that year gets)

2001
- 9/11, being a little kid, I though the entire thing was an accident or some sick joke.

2002
- Went on the Drop Zone for the first time and loved it forever! (Why is this significant? Well my brother was too scared until he was fifteen. Case closed)

2003
- Went to Atlanta, Georgia for a wedding (Flower girl? I was an old flower girl)

2004
-Another Aunt's Wedding (Too old for flower girl, too young to be a bridesmaid)

2005
-Was super surprised by a cousin's visit and Aunt from 2004 had baby shower

2006
- Went to Minnesota for... yea another wedding (I was a guest this time)
-Became Vegetarian

2007
- Does Disneyland count? It counts for me. Last time I went was in 1997
-Started Wearing Hijab
-Parents made me stop being a vegetarian

2008
-Interned at City Hall for the Summer (Very tedious, but it looks good on apps :P)
-Started my blog (woot)

2009
- Won a college scholarship (which I don't get till I apply for schools -.-)
-Became a vegetarian (I'm old enough now!)
-Was held against my will and given the H1N1 vaccine (my mom shot death glares at me, I had to acquiesce! D:)

And umm, yea.

Jeez, looking back, this is basically my 'growing up' decade (extremely uneventful compared to people much older than me.

But I have fond memories of those times :D

Only I shall know how cute I looked in each of flowergirl/entourage dresses!!

And looking at this past year of the blog, things have really shot up! With 145 posts and 108 followers, there is just so much room for me to grow and learn and yadda yadda yadda, 'find myself through the blog' and 'reach my full potential.'

Like one of those 'banned words' this is truly a teachable moment. That through strength and perseverance, you too, can be as cool as I.

...

Yeah.

But the scary part is that the next decade holds multiple graduations and maybe even marriage ._.;

I'm getting old.

[P.S Maybe I should do a list of things I wish to achieve in this new decade... maybe not, the list will go on seeing as how I'll be in my mid-20s by the time this next decade rounds out... content yourselves with what I've written already!]

(P.P.S What did YOU do this New Years Eve? If celebrated it at all?)

A perfect Saturday night (lil' misty eyed)

December 12th, 2009

Tonight, I attended my school play.

(Sidenote: I wore the fascinator I won from Alysha over at V.I. Couture and have Pics to prove it muwahahaha!)

This year it was The Laramie Project (please withhold negative commentary)

I'm in Drama at my school (can't draw, don't feel like playing piano, I regret not doing choir, sooo theater it is!) so we had watched the movie adaption months ago.

The movie moved me beyond measure, so what else did I expect from the play? It included my own peers.

I was blown away.

It was so heart-breaking and inspiring at the same time. I even wrote a review for my English class (granted I could earn extra credit for that AND my drama class but still, I tried.)

Hate crimes do affect everyone; it doesn't matter what you are but who you are as an individual that counts.

RIP Matthew Shepard.

(My friend totally could've played Zubaida Ula- hijabi character in the play!)

[I would extemporize more on this issue but enough said, I'm trying to be light-hearted at the moment... even if I nearly cried near the end of the play)

Being 'Proper'

Asalamu Alaikum ladees!

Did you guys have a good Eid? I hope you did because I know I did :D

Unfortunately it rained on my parade (literally) and I could feel the carefully applied foundation dripping away.

-sigh-

But other than that, my maternal Uncle had gotten married last year and his wife (who is a convert from Romania -my maternal family is pretty diverse in their marriage partners) brought me some turkish hijabs!

I can't believe they remembered that when I had only said it in a passing comment when I heard they were going to Turkey a couple months ago!

I got black, white, purple and a patterned purple one <3

She even taught me how to wear it!

I can't wait to get a coat to wear it with. Yeah, I see great things in my future -insha'Allah-

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*Vague on purpose*

Why can't everyone learn to accept each others differences?

If you tell someone over and over again to change something benign about their appearance you're only making yourself look bad.

Although you could argue that you're trying to 'forbid an evil' (And yeah I'm all for it and willing to hear it)

A person's choice of wardrobe is their choice.

Maybe they like their jeans and skirts and sandals.

Maybe they have done their research and just decide to opt out of something they don't perceive as obligatory.

Take your self-righteousness and shove it.

We can't all be perfect like you

************************************************************************

I dislike many people's definition of Islam, it's such a false dichotomy; you either do it this way or you're doing it wrong.

These people love to have such precise ways of doing something that it irks me.

I mean, really?, there's a detailed paragraph on how to wash yourself after you take a piss?

Really?

And there's always some hadith giving an exact play by play on how to do wudu, eat, sleep, walk and talk that I wonder how people can like being so constricted.

Islam is such a beautiful way of life, but people love to narrow it down

-boxing it in-

that things that shouldn't be overthought "dang it, I forgot to step in with my left foot" are taking so much more importance to the things that should matter

(i.e have you paid your zakat yet?)

But if you like to adhere to strict rules, than go wild, sorry for feeling differently about it.

It kind of reminds me of a story in the Qur'an of how Moses tells his people about Allah swt wanting them to sacrifice a cow.

(Do you all remember that story?)

And how essentially they asked for more and more detail on what kind of cow they wanted that Allah swt gave them an almost impossible task.

They took what was a general order

-just find a cow-

and made it so much harder

He said: "He says: A heifer not trained to till the soil or water the fields; sound and without blemish." They said: "Now hast thou brought the truth." Then they offered her in sacrifice, but not with good-will. (2:71)

Islam rocks you guys, seriously, but I'm not a conformist

(at least that's what I tell myself in the hopes that one day it'll ring true in all aspects of my life)

and I love the simple beauty of Islam that I find in the Qur'an and the not-so-detailed aspects of the Sunnah.

I agree that the Prophet (saw) was the final prophet and one of the best men of all time (leads to a link containing some snippets of music)

But some muslims frighten me in their near-worship of the Prophet (saw). Celebrations like mawlid- but I can't be a hypocrite, I attend those once a year just to see friends I see.. once a year or so-, and people following his example to the licking of their fingers.

I'm not criticizing, really, but he was just a man who delivered to us the beautiful message of Islam.

And ya just don't worship the messenger.

“But as for those who believe in God and His apostles and make no distinction between any of them – unto them, in time, will He grant their re wards [in full]. And God is indeed much-forgiving, a dispenser of grace. (4:152)

-steps down from soapbox-

Okay, I'm done being the type of person I'm ranting about.

But if anyone feels in complete disagreement with what I've written that they're starting to froth and seethe in angry rage at such a big-mouthed infidel- the x button is always on the right hand corner-

Thank you and have a nice day/night/evening/afternoon/whatever

Those who believe (in the Qur'an), and those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Christians and the Sabians,- any who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and work righteousness, shall have their reward with their Lord; on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. (2:62)

I don't believe...

November 17th, 2009

That God gave us talents only to be told by others that it is 'haram'

or violates 'such and such rules of propriety'

or that we are committing some act of sin because the boy in the third row got into a frenzy of lust.

I don't believe

that God is unjust.

That we aren't here for a reason.

I don't believe

That with whatever talents we have, with God always in mind and always first to please,

we must conform to other people's standards of 'religiosity'

I won't believe,

that I must look like my fellow sister Aicha down the block to be considered 'a perfect muslimah'

Nor do I think that everyone has to conform to one standard of Islam.

I do believe

that people do things in stages

Like a crescent moon slowly waxing into a full moon

so does sister Laila take steps to wearing hijab

I believe

that any woman -hijabi or not- is a sister to me

I believe

in destiny

in human goodness

in the light at the end of the tunnel

in the calm after the storm

I won't believe in everything of this life

But I will believe in God

-Modest Justice

Non-hijabis have more fun?

October 25th, 2009

To get straight to the point, let me ask a question.
Do muslimahs who do not wear the hijab or non-muslims, have more fun?

First of all, what is your definition of fun?

I just want to address the common misconception that

a) not wearing hijab automatically equates you to not following the five pillars

b) by not wearing hijab you can do anything that was and still is haram (i.e clubbing, having a boyfriend, e.t.c)

c) That you're much more stylish and beautiful without your hijab

This all just came up during an incident last week, and I was pretty shocked that even Muslims would think that just because one wears hijab, that automatically decreases the amount of fun she'll have in life.

But that doesn't mean that she's the perfect muslimah if she is wearing hijab.

Hijab doesn't stop anyone from doing 'bad' things. It's a constant reminder of your faith and what you should and shouldn't be doing.

Clubbing is one of them (has anyone seriously wanted to go clubbing ? I mean, the idea of gyrating against sweaty bodies in rhythm to a deafening beat is ... ew)

Besides the accepted notion that you shouldn't be doing anything bad at all whether you're a hijabi or non-hijabi, male or female, I think it's horrible that non-hijabis get a bad rap.

I mean, sure they're not easily identifiable as a muslim, but does that mean they should have pride in being able to 'get away' with morally-questionable circumstances?

Is it fair that many assume all non-hijabis do not pray or fast or have a general disregard for their religion?

Or that, when a hijabi decides to not wear hijab anymore, it's because she decided she wasn't having much 'fun' being a hijabi.

That wearing the hijab took away a lot of 'freedoms' from her.

Again, what is your definition of 'fun' and what is it that I'm missing out on whenever I put on my hijab in the morning?

Do you think non-hijabis have more fun?

Crosswalks are like Runways

I dropped journalism.

I actually dropped it a week ago.

It was awkward, it was tense, it was.....

You know how you get that feeling when you're the odd one out?

I always felt it in that class.

I knew absolutely no one, and although my 'love for writing' should have have fueled my insistence of staying and helping to diversify the news team (which was my ultimate goal) I hadn't thought of my classes all the way through.

I decided to not take a science this year, thereby making myself less 'competitive' (as my college errr guidance counselor puts it) for top UCs

At first, it didn't bother me because I had honors classes throughout high school, but then, I kept thinking about what would happen if I didn't get into a good university (state was and still isn't an option in my family or to me)

I'd disappoint myself and my family.

Why was I taking high classes? Why was I competing with my friends (albeit secretly) for the best grades and top classes?

Because I wanted to enter a good university, get a good career, get a better life than the ones my parent's had (their words) and be something.

To some people, this may seem a bit superficial (geez, giving up a writing class because you didn't fit in? taking a science class because you HAVE to get into the best college? grow up) but it matters to me.

This is my American dream that I want to realize (yes, that's a summer's worth of AP English reading talking right now) and fulfill, no matter the consequences.

I don't want to live in an apartment for the rest of my life.

I want to own a house and buy myself a car, and travel the world and swim with the sharks (okay not the last part, I'm terrified of sharks)

To me, having a career and the means to live comfortably equals success.

But as classic tragedies (Jay Gatsby, Willy Lowman anyone?) tell me, these are false fantasies.
That I shouldn't aspire to have abundant wealth because it's nothing.

It won't follow me to the grave, it won't guarantee happiness.

But it can buy things that give happiness, it can give a better life.

*********************************
So what class am I taking now?

I'm in Physiology learning about anatomy and dissection that can help in the medical field I might enter in.

Because I have to.

Because I want a better life.

R.I.P Michael Jackson

No, I don't think he's an idol, but an entertainer, a father and a human being.

Sure he's not media fodder anymore and while a day ago people might have criticized they are now 'mourning' and 'questioning' the loss. Many say that Michael Jackson converted to Islam and while I was very doubtful of it in the past, it will definitely do him a great service insha'allah. Another reason why he may be muslim is the statement his brother, known muslim Jermaine Jackson, ended with: "Our family requests that the media please respect our privacy during this tough time, and may Allah be with you Michael, always." Insha'llah, insha'allah

But it's also strong reminder that death can happen at any moment, that we must live in the moment. But live in the moment for God. I also refuse to believe that he actually died, and that maybe the reason most people are questioning the veracity of his death is because it's too surreal. They ask themselves, "If he can die out of nowhere, that means.. so can I." And that's the scary part, in a way.

No matter what anyone says or whether it's haram or just plain 'silly', Michael Jackson was a person, a talented one at that, and I think that his songs will remain timeless and inspirational to countless performers to come.

May Allah swt have mercy on all of our souls, including yours MJ.

'You have 25 missed calls'

You know when you want to enjoy some down-time, relaxation, full-on me time?

And then that annoying (yet beloved) titanic ringtone comes on and you realize someone's calling.

They pop your little bubble of a staycation? (for those of us too broke to afford a real one)

That's been happening to me since the end of school. Which was only 4 days ago!

I mean really people, do you miss me that much? I know my presence and conversation is the very thing you live off (my vanity is typing for me today), but can't you part with me for at least a week before the "OMIGOD WHERE THE FLIPPIN FUDGE CAKES HAVE YOU GONE?!" messages fill my inbox?!

Forgive me for being anti-social you guys.

But I just want to get away from having to speak with living breathing people, besides my family members and even then I shall only grunt and nod, for this weekend. Then you may bombard me with graduation party invites, movie goings and other ho-down shindigs m'kay? (Speaking of which, I can still feel the beat from last night's graduation party #2, only 3 more to go... joy & free food for a week)

I like to get lost in my own imaginary world of books and movies. I even try to shy away from the computer, what with the facebook and the msn and the aim and all the other insta-connections that guarantee mindless conversations with people you've exchanged SNs with for the sole purpose of writing something down in their yearbook. By the way, I'll see you next year so what's the point in wasting precious ink? I also think all of this technology is causing us humans to have an inability to have normal conversations face to face. I'd much rather take a walk around a park and have nice chat then to speak on the cellphone with anyone. I'm that philosophical.

I get that I'm digressing a lot, but it's fun to provide back stories and opinions when you're telling something.. look! I'm digressing at the moment!

So I got a bunch of books from the library, including the four I have to read for Honors English next year. (Holy crap did I turn in the permission slip for it? -thinks- yes I did, thank the Lord)

Since I'm rambling I might as well get to the point.

I hate talking on the phone with friends. Unless I initiate the call and your a person I really like to have interesting conversations with, chances are I'll either ignore the call or talk for about 15 minutes then make up some lame excuse to hang the freak up. Another reason I don't bother is because I'm afraid of developing a brain tumor from the unknown carcinogens in cellphone radiation.

That's also why I don't carry my cellphone in my pocket and hence miss most calls if it's on vibrate.

My phone also broke that way, so I'm left with no screen but I still know who's calling from the touch screen part. Poor baby, may Venus (it's an LG Venus) rest in peace.


OH okay, I typed a lot, that's basically it.

STOP CALLING ME AND JUST KNOCK ON MY DAMN DOOR, THEN WE CAN TALK!
xoxoModestJustice (of course that's me....right?)

I'll only lose faith if you do

I really dislike anything that trash talks Islam.

Don't we all?

Okay not the main point of this post.

So, I've already been through that 'there is no God' phase and managed to live through it, but I hate being around others who have no faith in fear of plummeting back to that time. That time of ignorance and fear. When I was afraid of no afterlife and lived in limbo.

Now 'non-believers' call this an example of the indoctrination of the faith. And I hate to question things over and over again but everyone I speak with it seems like they've never asked a question in their life.

How can you do something over and over again and not question it's benefit? It's like brushing your teeth every morning without ever wondering why you brush your teeth. To fight germs(temptation) right?

Again, I have no idea where I'm going with this post, but just feel like typing what's in my head at the moment.

I've been blog-hopping again and apparently found Kafirgirl's blog(www.kafirgirl.wordpress.com). A'outhobillah
Typically, she's an ex-muslim is doing an extensive play by play of the Qur'an. Now for those of weak faith I warn you not to read them but that would be me censoring.

Maybe the posts have caused doubts to rise up again, but I'm resolute in my faith and will not be pulled down by others!

I have a great life and a great family, all thanks to Allah swt and I will not forsake it because some people want to plant a seed of doubt in my mind.

BACK, BACK I SAY!
-throws mouse at you-

Where will I be in a decade?

Sometimes, I reflect on my life, where I've been and how far I'm going to go.
Yes, even I have things to reflect on and things to look forward to. But the fuzzy part is my career. Where do I find my self a couple years from now? In University of course. Then? Medical School. Then? Uhhh, residency/marriage? THEN? Children :D SERIOUSLY?
... yes
Or so I thought. But when I think of it every now and then, I wonder if I really do want to be a Pediatrician. Devote myself to a 9-5 hour job which has a great pay and I'll always get a job anywhere around the world. Half of me wants that life, then the other half wants to lounge around at home or go shopping or do numerous housewife things and just let my husband work. I know this seems WAY in the future, but there must be sometime to think of it right? Yes, what happens if me and my husband both have to work? That's where my PH.D in awesomeness comes in but insha'allah maybe I won't have to do that. I'm pretty sure I'll become a Pediatrician but other than, I have no idea what else I shall be doing.

For some reason, planning one's life out seems like such a girl thing to do. We always over analyze things and looking back at this post I see I've done just the same :)Everything is in Allah swt's hands and insha'allah I wish only for the best

Cheers to life,
ModestJustice

In the Moment

I wish I could say I was more in the moment.
Spontaneous and wild ya'know? When you get invited to mall trips, "I'M IN!" or when asked to ditch P.e "I'M ALL OVER THAT YO!"

No.

Unfortunately, I being the good muslim girl that I am, opt to ask my parents for permission and decline so that I won't miss any points. -smile- But why not cause some mischief? Have some fun and live life! Besides the fear of getting in trouble with the law (Like my friends are even THAT wild), I know Allah swt always watches me. So if I do something wrong I'll have to explain my reasons to Him.

However, I also have to point out, that ditching P.E when you have an A isn't even that bad. It's worse to not dress out and lose 5 points, than to cut and lose 2. Then there is the whole 'mall' issue. What do you expect me to do? Take off my hijab and gallivant around with the "evil" boys in the world? I wish. NOT. The only wandering I do is to look for a nice restaurant in the food court. Or try to figure out what movie to watch. (Hmm, Bride Wars or My Bloody Valentine? -sigh- the choices)
Now that could lead to a whole 'nother post on trust, but I'm not discussing that at the moment. It isn't hard to live life in the moment, morally.

Now you must thinking, "This is what bothers her? SHUT UP! Atleast you can choose whether you want to live or not, people are DYING!" ... ._.; I do care about the muslims out there around the world. It's my Ummah too. And for that matter, everything going around the world at the moment. I just decided to bring in some levity to this discussion -points to blog title- It is about my mind you know.

So in my handy-dandy nerdy $3 dollar Wal-mart planner, I'll schedule a trip to the mall tomorrow and ditch P.E next Thursday. Exciting right?

Influences

Before becoming a serious muslimah and hijabi, there have always been influences in my life as there are in others'. You know, that relative(s) in hijab who wore it dutifully and completed all 5 prayers. The one you hid your gum from at the masjid during Ramadan. The one you'd dress up in long sleeves for and make salat with.

It was fun while it lasted.

But there was always that friend or neighbor who also adopted hijab and in my case, a whole neighborhood full. You'd watch them silently, following their every movement and asking them all the time for advice on any 'muslim-related' incident. While you struggled to stay awake at Sunday School, you assumed they breezed through the Qur'an and knew what to say when during prayers. It wasn't envy, but they were your role models. Their facades kept you questioning your own acts and deeds. But what happens when that shatters? You're left with a plate of lies and having to form your own ideas on how to wear hijab, how to pray & how to act. Which we should all be doing when we come 'of age'.
Also a pet peeve of mine is part-time hijabers. Now nobody was perfect when they started wearing hijab, nobody. Even I bent the rules a few times and I own up to it. It was bad and it's in the past, alhamdulillah. But the hijabis who do know better and commit indecent acts while in the hijab renders the hijab worthless. Hijab is not just a piece of cloth. It's a mindset. While in the first couple of years, a hijabi has to update her whole wardrobe, cherry pick her friends, limit activity with male colleagues, so on and so forth. It can be overwhelming and I understand that. Nobody's perfect (Hannah Montana totally copped that off of me)and insha'allah that shouldn't stop any hijabi to become a better person. But I feel like such a sissy when I don't have the guts to tell hijabi doing something wrong that it's wrong. Insha'allah I ask for courage and you know what, maybe I will. Yeah they'll be mad for a while, but atleast you did something right and insha'allah they learned something new. There's always room for improvement sisters :]

But back to the main topic, once you find out your hero isn't so innocent, you start doubting everything you've ever believed in. Which is why it's better to choose your 'idols' carefully because not everything is how it seems to be. I hope I can be a better role model for my sister and as a muslimah but everyone stumbles. Only Allah swt can forgive us and lead us on the right path.

My Islamic resolution:
Cut the Bull crap and be assertive when I need to be
Help sisters in need
Fight for the cause of Islam and those who are oppressed
Fight for myself :]

All praise is due to Allah swt and all fault is mine
Amin

Modest Justice

Ignorance

So surprise, surprise.
Highschoolers apparently do not know anything about the world apart from their self-absorbed lives. It bring me to tears just knowing that while we are losing our voices to make up for those whose voices are oppressed, most of the teenagers are just living life not caring about anything happening halfway across the globe. This apathy is sickening, and the conditioning we have all gotten throughout our lives because of the way the media has portrayed the devastation of the world only angers me.
"Oh, another tsunami? I hope those poor dears are alright, -switches channel-"
"Not this again! When will these silly terrorists know bombing isn't the way? What's on MTV?"
Where do these kids get their ignorance from? I'm well aware the teachers know and most other adults, but these are high schoolers! A few years from being thrust unto the real world and they can barely grasp the concept of current events. Now I'm not bashing my peers, okay in a way I'm ranting, but indifference is a horrible state. Haven't many genocides and humanitarian crises been muffled because other countries were UNAWARE or indifferent to the sufferings of another. A'outhobillah, but I will not stand for it. I've changed my attitude and opinions slowly this past month and now that I see all the corruption in this world, I refuse to sit quietly like everyone else and accept everything for what it is.

"Whosoever of you sees an wrong action, let him change it with his hand; and if he is not able to do so, then with his tongue; and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart – and that is the weakest of faith." Hadith in al-Bukhari

Insh'allah the MSAs of every high school will try to raise awareness and bring some change to the poor condition of our hearts. My school's MSA will insh'allah try
to raise awareness and attend protests. Alhamdulillah, I may have missed the protest this Sunday but there is another this weekend. But I also know that by protesting, we may just be annoying the ole' US because we all know how they stand on this issue. I should make a sign that says "GET OFF YOUR BUTTS MUSLIM COUNTRIES, THIS THE UMMAH THAT IS SUFFERING!" Heck, I think I should, it seems fitting for the occasion. Donations should be made not just opinions or well-thought out sentences. Also boycotting McDonalds and Starbucks really won't help but it's still good to avoid them for your health!

YA ALLAH! May we all see the errors of our selfish ways and insh'allah may the people of Palestine and our fellow muslim brothers and sisters around the world be relieved from oppression so that we can be united as one.
Amin

Unsettling Dream

Asalamu Alaikum!

Okay so very unsettling dream last night .___.; I blame that Indian movie I watched before sleeping...


Apparently, me and my friend had entered this weird uhh meadow? With like a bunch of stairs. Then, I think, two Angels told us to go because it wasn't our time yet. But we walked around looking at the people and went on this staircase. It was a moving staircase and the people wearing these weird jerseys were on there. I was about to pick one up when I heard someone instructing those going to hell to wear those jerseys. So I dropped it and ran out of the staircase looking at the people going down and saw another friend! She looked so sad and I was wondering whether I'd go there or not. Then an angel approached my friend and told her she gained access into heaven and it was her time to go. I saw going to my right and I started crying. I kept making du'a while waiting for my 'verdict' but they never called it out. I saw an angel approach and kept making du'a but he just past me by. It still wasn't my time. Then I heard my alarm go off and it was time for fajr...

Very unsettling and it made me think about all the things I haven't done if I were to be taken away early in this dunya. And I was still late for Asar prayer! Astagfurillah :[
I wonder, even in the dream I asked why my other friend was going there. They, or my mind whichever, replied that she had gossiped and manipulated people. I was awestruck and frightened out of my mind.

I also blame Mumbai 2050 for that one line "Those who are taken before their time appear the same in the next life" yeah that was a reincarnation sentence but the first part was in my dream!

May Allah swt lead us all on the right path and let us treasure our time in this dunya to use it wisely for the akhira.

Amin

Note: Picture taken from Aalia's blog Chasing Jannah

Wa Salam
Modest Justice