Humans are organised into groups and collectivities in order to lead life with dignity, decorum, peace, tranquillity and in a way that suits their position as the best creature of Allah. But they fail to serve this purpose because they always try to grab all privileges and power to satisfy their desires and dominate others. They manoeuvre and manipulate the principles on which social organisation is based in their favour to get the desired benefit. As a result, a society that comes into being to safeguard the interest of all becomes the tool of the dominant group.
Modern society, which is proud of its industrial development, technological sophistication and information, claims to have developed a social system that assures the security, safety, freedom and wellbeing of its members. Upon sober analysis, however, it fails to protect the downtrodden and offers countess opportunities to the affluent to suppress and compel others to follow their faith and way of life. The difficulty with the modern man is that he has dissociated himself from his basic root, God, the Absolute Reality, Who created him and instructed him to live in decorum and propriety.
The nobility of humanity lies in leading a moral, virtuous and righteous life and helping others to do the same. The modern man has developed his own criteria of nobility and morality that focus on satisfying his self-desires and ambitions at any cost. Such a person finds pleasure in subjugating others to his will. The basis of all social ailments is man acting on the dictate of his unbridled desires and ambitions to satisfy his ego. This creates havoc in the individual and society.
Islam is a complete code of life, a holistic and comprehensive system in which all aspects of human life are meaningfully blended. It is concerned with man’s wellbeing and establishes goodness, virtues and benevolence so that they may lead a peaceful, happy and prosperous life in this world as well as in the hereafter. Islam promotes harmonious relations among human beings and impresses upon them to lead a moral and righteous life and to satisfy their needs with dignity and moderation. This is possible only because individuals and society are organised on certain cardinal principles.
These principles constitute the social system that inspires man to follow the Divine command and manifest goodness and virtues. It guides human ambition and restrains individual desires for the greater good of the collective. The Islamic social system is derived from Divine guidance, and thus devoid of human weaknesses such as greediness, selfishness and acquisitiveness. It promotes fairness, righteousness and contentment.
The foundation and bedrock of the social system of Islam is the ‘unity of God’, the Ultimate Reality, the Omnipresent and the Omnipotent. He is the only Supreme Being worthy of worship, and no other is equal to Him and shares His Grandeur, Power and Attributes. He is Unique and One in His person and attributes. The Qur’ān explains His magnificence and resplendence:
“Allah, the Ever-Living, the Self-Subsisting by Whom all subsist, there is no god but He. Neither slumber seizes Him, nor sleep; to Him belongs all that is in the heaven and all that is in the earth. Who is there who might intercede with Him save with His leave? He knows what lies before them and what is hidden from them, whereas they cannot attain to anything of His knowledge save what He wills them to attain. His dominion overspreads the heaven and the earth (Qur’ān, 2: 255).
He created the heaven and the earth and all that lie between them for the distinct purpose to worship and submit to His will. He created humans in the best form, superior to all creatures, bestowed upon them superior potentials particularly cognitive abilities to comprehend the Truth, and manifest it in their thought and actions. He further elevated humans by appointing them His vicegerent to carry His mission of truth, goodness and righteousness to every nook and cranny of the world. It is thus the foremost duty of humans to venerate the Lord, the Master of the universe, completely submit to His will, strictly follow His commandments and exhortations to walk the straight path and attain peace, prosperity, happiness and contentment.
It is the noblest, most virtuous, magnanimous, solvent and gainful act to surrender to the Lord and adhere to and comply with His guidance. This makes human life relevant, meaningful, beneficial, and his stay on the earth comfortable and pleasant. The Qur’ān exhorts, “Whoever submits his whole self to Allah, and is doer of good, has grasped indeed the most trustworthy handhold, and with Allah rests the End and Decision of (all) affairs.” (31:22)
It further clarifies, “O mankind, serve your Lord Who has created you as well as those before you; do so that you become righteous and are saved.” (Qur’ān, 2:21) Thus most significant part of the believers’ life is thus to follow the mandate of the Lord, mould their lives according to it and make it the basis of all their activities and organisations which they develop to facilitate their survival on earth.
Islam is a Divine system of life that proclaims the supremacy and ascendency of Allah and complete and unconditional surrender to His will. He is the Master and Guardian of the world; and man is His favoured servants created to adore Him, manifest His greatness in all spheres of life and follow His guidance. The relation between God and man is of Master and servant, Creator and creature. Thus, man owes two significant obligations: first to Allah and secondly to his fellow human beings.
OBLIGATION TO ALLAH
Human beings, as obedient and dutiful subjects, have to venerate the Creator, Who has created man and bestowed upon them innumerable favours and bounties without which it is not possible for them to survive in this world. This must be exhibited in their thought and action as well as in social arrangements. The first part of this duty is worship of God (ibadah). This is the first duty of humans to praise Allah, comprehend His grandeur and splendour and treat no other being equal to Him. The Qur’ān time and again describes His eminence and distinctness and instructs man to worship Him and no other. “He is the one and alone, Eternal and Absolute, neither bigoted nor begotten and none is like Him.” (Qur’ān, 112: 1-4)
All Prophets conveyed this truth and instructed their respective peoples to worship Allah and fear Him. They warned them of a serious punishment in case they join other deities with Him.
The second aspect of this obligation is to follow the commandments of Allah and completely submit to His will. It is the noblest and commendable act to bow to His will. Allah signifies, “Who can be better in religion than one who submits his whole self to Allah, does good and follows the way of Abraham, the true in faith.” (Qur’ān, 4:125) Allah’s is the only guidance that leads to contentment. Believers are called on to enter the fold of Islam wholeheartedly. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) enjoined the same and dedicated his life to the Lord of the world.
The third aspect of obligation is love of Allah. Those who submit to Allah with dedication and sincerity naturally develop love and affection for Him. Submission to Allah due to love and reverence is the true spirit of worship. The outward act and the mechanical performance of rituals are of no avail. Allah prefers the spirit and dedication behind the action and not the action as such. Allah clearly indicates that “it is not righteousness that you turn face towards East or West, but it is righteousness to believe in Allah and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the books, and the Messengers, and to spend of your wealth out of love for Him.” (Qur’ān, 2:177)
The fourth is the expression of gratefulness to Allah for His favour and bounties. He created man in the best form, gave him numerous potentials, and provided him with innumerable materials for the satisfaction of his needs and other endless bounties to make his life comfortable. It is thus the duty of all mankind to express the deep sense of gratitude to Him for His innumerable favours. Gratefulness to Allah is rewarded.
The fifth is seeking only Allah’s help and not of any other being. He is most capable of granting of every wish. Man has to seek refuge in Him: “Thee do we worship and Thy aid we seek.” (1: 5)
OBLIGATION TO PEOPLE
The other obligation of mankind is towards their fellow beings. The basic principle of the social system of Islam is that men’s relation with all animate and inanimate objects, and their entire operation in this world depend upon their relation to their Lord. They have to live in this world and establish relation with their fellow human beings and all other objects according to the sacred principles (Shari’ah) drawn from the Qur’ān and the precepts of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him).
The most elegant and magnanimous act that distinguishes Islam from other systems and Muslims from other peoples is to live and operate in this world for seeking the pleasure of the Lord and not the pleasure of their own egos. Consequently, exploitation, suppression, oppression and taking advantage of others’ weakness and helplessness have no place in the Islamic system of life. Such sins invite the displeasure of the Lord as they are liable to punishment and thus are replaced by mutual respect, compassion, love, sympathy, cooperation and coordination.
Man’s obligation to people begins with the members of his family, parents and other relatives, close and distant. As the family is the basic institution that plays an important role in shaping the personality of individuals; it requires a peaceful and congenial atmosphere to function. Islam encourages its adherents to maintain peace and develop healthy and cordial relations between members of the family. A man is the bread earner of the family and responsible for providing necessities of life for the members. He should treat all members sympathetically and gently, understand their problems, try to solve them and gain their confidence. He should pay special attention to children, teach them Islamic values and teach them how to live in accordance with the Islamic way of life.
A believer should respect his/her parents, take care of them, help them, comply with their orders if they do not violate the basic norms of Islam and always be polite and decent towards them. Allah instructs humans to be kind to parents and not to utter a cruel word to them. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) emphasised respecting and caring for parents. Once a man asked him who was the most deserving of his care. He replied, “Your mother, your mother, your mother,” and the fourth time he replied, “and your father.”
Similarly, a believer should maintain good relations, take care and help other relatives, neighbours and all others. He should apply the concept of ihsan in dealing with others. This requires that he should express sympathy, patience, gratitude, compassion and respect others. He should support and help others according to his capacity to lead a respectful life. Such noble acts in Islam and those who follow them deserve high reward.
The general principles which a Muslim has to observe in dealing and establishing relations with others are to treat others in a manner similar in which he would like to be treated and avoid for others what he would avoid for himself. A Muslim should not injure others with his words and actions but should be modest, avoid backbiting; be good to everyone; respect the old and show affection to the young, fulfil his promises, be just, help those who are in distress and take care of those who are sick and require his support.
These obligations which a Muslim must fulfil in his day-to-day life are the backbone and the foundation on which the structure of social relationships rests, and from which an altruistic society comes into being. This is possible only when man develops God-consciousness and leads a life not of pleasure of the ego but the pleasure of the Master of the world. The beauty of the Islamic social system is that it motivates and inspires humans to live according to the guidance of the Lord of the universe, manifest His suzerainty in every walk of life, establish His system, deliver utmost benefit and benevolence to humanity and make this earth a pleasant place to live in.
UNIVERSAL BROTHERHOOD
Islam promotes a close bond and meaningful association between people. They are the progeny of the same father and mother and created from the same source and for the same purpose. Man shares the same ideology to adopt piety and righteousness, establish the Divine system and attain happiness, prosperity and goodness. The mission of all mankind is the same, and that brings them to stand in one row united in one cohesive group called humanity. They constitute the servitude of Allah, and this bond is so noble and great that it cuts across all boundaries of nationality, descent, family, wealth and power. This inspires man to cooperate with each other to fulfil the purpose of creation and play a positive role, the role of a vicegerent of Allah in society.
Allah reminds man “to cooperate with all in what is good and pious and do not cooperate in what is sinful and wicked.” (5:2) Social life in Islam is based on cooperation and the mutual efforts of individuals to enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong. This is the laudable act which individuals have to perform and a social system is formed to provide a conducive condition to facilitate improved performance. The purpose of human brotherhood is to unite in a moral and virtuous life and eradicate sin and evil. Allah gave three things to His Messengers for the guidance of mankind. The first are signs that showed that they were Messengers of Allah and conveyed the Truth; second the Book containing a complete system of life; and, third, the criterion to distinguish between justice and injustice. Man has to take guidance from these to lead a just and balanced life.
EQUALITY OF HUMAN BEINGS
All human beings are equal as they are the creatures of the Lord. They enjoy the same rights and privileges and are not subject to any discrimination on the basis of caste, creed, colour and nationality. They are created in different groups for identification and not for superiority. They have equal status. The only distinction belongs to those who are pious and have a high degree of God-consciousness. Islam instructs believers not to consider others inferior and not to call them by bad names. Instead, respect them, treat them as their kith and kin and grant them all favours that are just and they can afford it. They are part and parcel of the community on which the solidarity and integrity of the community depend.
SOCIAL LIFE
Social life in Islam is based on high principles of mutual respect, love, goodness and brotherhood. All believers are the strength of each other and are bound together by the bond of love, sympathy and affection. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah to him) was the epitome of good conduct and behaviour and inspired his companions with such values. He impressed on believers to be good to others and show mercy to them. He said, “Whoever relieves a human being from grief in this world, Allah will relieve him from a grief on the Day of Judgement” and “none of you is a true believer in Islam until and unless he loves for his fellow men what he loves for himself.”
SOCIAL JUSTICE
Justice is an important feature of the Islamic way of life. It is a comprehensive concept encompassing all aspects of human life. It refers to an appropriate and balanced way of doing things. Islam always instructs its followers to adopt a middle path and avoid extremity as it adversely affects human personality and damages the social system. It is the foremost duty of believers to do justice to themselves to other fellow beings and to society. They should be moderate in eating, drinking, sleeping and the gratification of other needs. The rules of the Shari’ah are applicable to all.
Similarly, society is obliged to treat every member equally. In order to maintain a balance, Islam awards special care to the poor and downtrodden and motivates the rich to contribute a portion of their wealth to help the deprived and disadvantaged. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be to Him) and his companions were paragons of justice. The Caliph Umar is famous for the administration of justice and for the appointment of honest, high-calibre persons dedicated to the tenets of Islam as judges.
Such are the snapshots of the social system of Islam that inspires man to comprehend the realities of their existence, surrender to the will of the Lord, embody virtues and righteousness, refine and purify their mind and soul, and lead a moral and upstanding life to earn contentment and happiness. A person who experiences this virtuous and dignified way of living enjoys true happiness of mind and soul and is overwhelmed, so much so that he desires no other system. He feels suffocated by other systems because they are devoid of these traits and lacks nobility and dignity. If forced to join other systems, sooner or later, he happily returns to the original one in which his entire self is rooted and best suited to his nature.