Q6. What are salient features and principles of Islamic Social System.

How the modern socio-

economic system can be revamped on these principles.

Answer structure:

What is a social system?

the patterned series of interrelationships existing between individuals, groups, and institutions and
forming a coherent whole

Islamic Social System:

An Islamic society is the society whose members have “Iman” (faith) in Islam,
apply its laws in their life and performing religious duties and abstaining from
doing what is unlawful.” Islam’s social system is unique in a way that Islam
itself is a Deen (complete code of life) and it provides guidance upon every
aspect of its social system. The underlying principles of Islamic Social system
is based upon the fundamentals of humanity and mutual co-existence with
non-believers. In a nutshell, “The foundations of the social system of Islam,
rest on the belief that we are all equal and constitute one single fraternity.” An
Islamic society is the society whose members have faith in Islam, apply its
laws in their life, abide by its moral standards of love, brotherhood, equality,
mercy, and trust, performing religious duties and abstaining from doing what is
unlawful.

Salient features and principles of Islamic Social System:

Brotherhood Amongst Each Other:

This is one of the most fundamental aspect of Islamic Social system and it has been highlighted at
many instances in Quran. The concept of Brotherhood is a fundamental element in the social system
that eliminates the root causes of many problems like greed, hatred etc amongst each other.
Prophet Muhammad once said in a Hadith that None of You will believe until you love for your
brother what you love for yourself. The Hadith of our Holy Prophet is important in two ways. Firstly,
it guides us about the ultimate goal of achieveing brotherhood and then secondly it gives us a
defined path on how to achieve it.

In Surah it is said by Allah that “And the faithful men and women, are friends of each other...” Holy
Qur'an (9:71). This Surah enlightens the mankind towards the right way of achieving social
cohesion in the society. Considering the contemporary issues in our society like enemity for the
sake of property, jealousy, etc can be tackled by blindly applying the principle of Brotherhood. If
the concept of brotherhood is applied in true spirit then automatically our mindset will change and
we’ll prefer for others what we prefer for ourselves. Via these a social cohesion can be achieved as
well as smooth functioning of the society.

The concept of brotherhood can change the dynamics of the social fabric of modern social system.
In many developed nations today, the curriculum or primary childhood teachings are based on the
capitalistic model of earning, profit and self-satosfaction and none incorporates the concept of
brotherhood. The modern system can be tailored to this concept by incorporating the very same
phenomenon into their primary school curriculums. With regards to adults, the respective state
can use the tool of media to effectively promote the concept of brotherhood through different
platoforms. Also, the local muslim community in the respective countries can show via the
literature of Islam and commands of Allah this concept and show its historical significance to the
community at large. In this way the modern society can effectively integrate the concept of
brotherhood effectively.

Respecting and Protecting Rights of the Individuals and Groups:

Since everyone is equal before Islam therefore it underlies the principles of protecting and
assisting each other in a social system. A pivotal example of this can be of imposition of Zakaat
system in the society. Zakaat is a pillar of Islam and is binding upon every Muslim of means.
Through the mechanism of Zakaat the proportionate wealth is taken from the wealthy Muslim
and then distributed amongst the needy. Allah has specifically ordered Zakaat in Quran “Of their
goods, take zakat, so that you might purify and sanctify them.” (9:103,
Qur’an). Zakaat is a prime example of how Islam protects the social rights of the poor people in
the society. In contemporary world, social development and poverty elevation is considered as
paramount for the propoer functioning of any society and thus for that Zakaat is a perfect
mechanism. Lastly, through this mechanism the poor in the society would feel socially integrate in
the society.

This Islamic model can be very effectively applied in today’s contemporary socio-economic structure.
Currently most of the developed countries are functioning on the capitalist model, which effectively
means that almost no interference by the state or the social community in one’s life. This model can
be revamped and instead be replaced by an Islamic concept of Zakat. Through this concept the
money accumulated from the wealthy tier of the society can be used for the social welfare class. A
foremost task can be to establish shelter homes or providing homes in the neighbourhood. In USA
homelessness is on the rise and it has created a lot of problems in the social fabric of the country,
like crime, drug, hatred etc. But if something on the lines of Zakat is incoroporated then it can tackle
these problems to every extent.

Making a Strong Social Bond Amongst Each other:

This is an important aspect of Islamic social system because it places an onus on the individul to be
together and establish a strong bond amongst each other. In every aspect of life, the members of
an Islamic society cooperate wholeheartedly with each other. For example, in building mosques
and schools, helping the needy, fighting oppression, establishing economic, social and cultural
associations, are all forms of co-operation within the society. Allah has specifically said in Quran
that“...and cooperate (with each other) for righteousness and cooperate not in sin and
enmity...”Holy Qur'an (5:2). This a very unique social aspect, which covers and caters for almost all
the social problems we face today, like crime, racism etc. According to Ibn E Khaldun, a sociologist,
the main reason for social disintegration and crime within a society is due to lack of mutual social
bonds, which ultimately leads to crime and deviance within the society.

This aspect of Islamic social principle can be applied with full zeal in the modern socio-economic
spheres across life. The concept of mutual community centres both within the district and city level
can be introduced where people from all walks of life can meet regularly and discuss their
problems. Furthermore, they can also get education or any sort of guidance from the learned and
experienced members of the society. During Prophet’s Madina State, Mosque was the epicentre of
the community and the entire community used to go there inorder to meet and strengthen their
bonds and also to enlighten themselves. Therfore, a similar model can be very much applicable
today.

Maintaining Good Morals:

This principle is the bedrock for a healthy and progressing society. Islam places heavy reliance on
maintaining good morals throughout the social sphere. A human in the modern day is regarded to as
a social animal and the only thing that distinguishes a social man from an animal is its good morals.
There are many examples of how Islam places a heavy onus on an individual to abide by their
morals. A prime example of this is given in Quran“Serve God, and join not any partners with Him;
and do good – to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbors who are near, neighbors who
are strangers, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (ye meet), and what your right hands
possess.” [The Holy Qur’an, al-Nisaa 4:36]. This Surah itself is a true reflection of the emphasis that
Quran places on having good morals ranging from Parents to Neighbours.

However, in today’s contemporary world, the aspect of maintaining good morals in a society is no
where to be seen. For example, In many westeren countries, many African Americans are deprived
of securing a house in a posh neighbourhood mainly because the immediate neighbours are Whites
and they disapprove theor presence. Another example can be of the mushroom growth of old age
houses for the elders in westeren countries, where they are sent to be taken care at. This as a result
can lead towards a social chaos in the society and as a result lead to suicide rates.

The beauty of this social principle is that it can be integrated in almost any modern society. For
instance, the state or the community heads (if living in multi cultural countries) can take an initiave
and ensure the teaching of such principles to kids at least once a week in community centres. This as
a result can bring an inherent change in the minds of the children and can lead towards having good
morals as a result. Also, in many capitalist countries, the primary focus of the school is to educate a
child for the sake of monetary benefit etc, but the government can integrate a topic pertaining to
everyday community morals in their curriculum and this as a result will have a collective benefit.

Mutual co-existence in an Islamic society:

Islam also addresses the topic of mutual co-existence with non-believers in an Islamic society. Allah
in Quran says that: For you is your religion, and for me is my religion, Surah Al-Kafirun. Thus, it shows
that in Quran there is a specific order by Allah that non-belivers can mutually co-exist. Infact, its
practical manifestations can be seen during the Madina State where non-be;ievers peacefully co-
existed in mutual social harmony.

This is a contemporary problem in today’s societies around the world. In Pakistan, the concept of
mutual co-existence is mis-interpreted and as a result it leads to social dis-integrationa, which
ultimately leads to social chaos. Even in some modern Westeren countries there seems to be a social
chaos and as a result its almost impossible to for multiple faiths to exist in one neighbourhood. A
prime example of this is of East-London, which has been segregated by the rest parts of the London
mainly due to the existence of non-white population.

Islam’s concept of mutual co-existence can be very much applied in today’s modern social ciricels.
Because Islam doesn’t discrimates any sect, religion, color, race or ethnicity when addressinf the
issue of co-existence and hence it can be applied across all the countries of the world. The Quranic
Surah itself is self explainatory if applied with full zeal and spirit. Today, there is no neutral laws that
promotes cohesion amongst the believers and the non-believers and as a result many are
persecuted. A prime example of this is of killings amongst Christians and Islamic Religious groups in
Nigeria, where the bone of contention is that who will rule over the specific tribe and area. If on the
other hand the very same concept of Islamic idea of co-existence is applied then no such problems
would arise in the society since Allah has clearly indicated that for Non-Believers it is their own
religion.

The Islamic Calendar