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Salam, As Muslims we all believe that Allah is Just but I have often heard Islamic scholars say that it is part of Islamic philosophy and logic that a god must be just. I do understand the logic behind the existence of god; why he must exist -- but how can we logically prove that a god must be just as well ?

I recall a narration, I don't have at hand, that says God forgave an adulteress for quenching the thirst of a stray dog. Assuming the narration is authentic, if the divine mercy can negate a sinful act of adultery for a minor act of goodness, then also, to be perfectly consistent, can it negate an act of murder by the same token? Because in an adultery, the wife or husband is affected and likewise in a murder the victim and his / her family is affected adversely. What if the adulterer is remorseful but yields no sympathy or forgiveness from their spouse? What if the penitent murderer receives no forgiveness from the relatives of the victim? Do they carry the sin to their death bed and get tortured in the pit of an inferno for that one act forever? What about their good deeds? Do you see what I'm saying? The fact that there exist a plethora of variables involved, that life isn't black and white, supports the point I'm putting forward. Namely, that it seems unjust and unmerciful to punish a weak being in a place utterly devoid of mercy for all eternity, because it is out of proportion. Mercy dictates that the good performances be accounted and recompensed and justice demands that the punishment should not be more than what is due. However, we're not seeing that. This is the dilemma. Instead, there are vivid descriptions of Hell and Heaven. Two extremes, nothing in between. A person can be the most wicked thing throughout life, and perform one mighty good act in the end and gain salvation. There is no real justice evident, frankly.