Social System of Islam

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Social System of Islam

• By Muhammad Ayub

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• In every society, there always exists a sort of
  method or system which determines The general
  ways and customs of society The way of its
  administration Mutual relations of its
  members, and The relations of every member with
  the whole society The rights and obligations
  arising out of these relations.

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Characteristics of Islamic Social System

• Equality of men As all men are basically equal,
  Islam does not admit that any individual has any
  special position. All men have been born of one
  ancestor and have a common nature. The difference
  in rights on the basis of race, class, tribal
  attachments etc., which existed among certain
  nations, is totally denied by Islam. Islam
  proclaimed that
• "All men are equal like the teeth of a
  comb"."You are descendants of Adam and Adam was
  made of clay".

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• Freedom of thinking and knowledge The
  suppression of the right of choice is a deviation
  from the normal human course. It causes
  disequilibrium in society.Thus Islamic society
  gives man the right of making free and conscious
  choice.
• Islamic brotherhood In Islamic society there
  exist a spiritual bond and a tie of mutual love
  and affection which unite all its members. Islam
  has laid great emphasis on Islamic brotherhood,
  which is one of the most important factors of the
  establishment and maintenance of its just social
  system. This spiritual infrastructure and
  sentimental bond of faith plays a basic role in
  safeguarding the rights of individuals and in
  taking care of their collective social interests.

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• Sense of responsibility
• Amr bil Maruf, Nahi Anil Munkir promotion
  of good and prevention of evil.
• Islam emphasize on every individual to promote
  good and resist wrong. For this purpose there
  should be sense of responsibility, which
  guarantee the maintenance and enforcement of
  justice.

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Status of Women in Islam

• Women in Early Civilizations In Greek
  civilization women were always seen as minors,
  controlled and dominated by some male_ their
  father, their brother, or by some of their male
  kin. Her consent in marriage was not generally
  thought to be necessary and was obliged to submit
  to the wishes of the male members. The Greek
  philosopher Aristotle stated that women had
  fever teeth than men but he could not prove the
  statement while applying on his own wife.

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• In the Roman Civilization wife was seen as an
  insignificant person dependant upon their
  husbands. They were seen as incapable of doing or
  acting according to their individual wishes and
  when they married their property passed to their
  husbands.
• In Arabia, birth of a girl was a source of shame
  and they were usually buried alive.
• According to the Hindu scriptures a good women is
  one whose mind, speech and body are kept in
  subjection. Even today in India subjection is an
  essential principle for women.

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Women in Islam

• However, the status now given to the women by
  West is rather achieved because of the needs of
  the society which came due to industrialization
  and modernity. But Islam elevated the status of
  women as daughters, sisters, wives and mothers
  many centuries ago. Islam gave women honorable
  freedom before any of the civilizations mentioned
  above. Islam ended the oppression and subjection
  of women in Arabia and all the Muslim societies
  all over the world with its advent. The position
  of woman in Islam has been prescribed in various
  aspects spiritually, socially, economically and
  politically.

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• The Spiritual Aspect The Holy Quran provides
  clear-cut evidence that man and woman have same
  religious rights and duties. There is no
  discrimination between man and woman rewarding
  religious rights. Prayers, fasting, paying zakat
  and pilgrimage are equally obligatory to both man
  and woman. In some cases indeed woman has certain
  advantages over man in performing religious
  obligations. For instance, women are exempted
  from offering prayer and fasting during their
  menstrual cycle and pregnancy.

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• The Social Aspect
• As a daughter Islam prevented female child from
  burying alive, which was common practice in Arab
  society before Islam. Holy Prophet PBUH said,
  whoever has a daughter and he does not bury her
  alive, does not insult her and does not fevour
  his son over her, God will enter him into
  paradise. On another occasion Holy Prphet PBUH
  said, whoever support two daughters till they
  mature, he and I will come in the day of judgment
  as this (he pointed out his two fingers).
• As a wife Islam recognizes woman as full and
  equal partner to man in their matrimonial
  relationship. Man is father and woman is mother
  in the house-hold. She enjoys absolute equality
  as an equal member of the family unit. The Holy
  Prophet PBUH said, The best among you is the
  one who is best to his wife, and I am the best
  among you to my family. In Islam women are
  given right to decide about her marriage and to
  end an un-successful marriage.

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• As a mother Islam consider kindness to parents
  next to the worship of God. Woman position as
  mother is unique in a Muslim society. She is the
  focus of all members of the family and enjoys
  great respect. The Holy Prophet PBUH said,
  Paradise lies beneath the feet of your mother.
  A man came to Prophet Muhammad SAW asking, O
  Messenger of Allah, who among the people is the
  most worthy of my care? The Prophet PBUH said,
  Your mother. The man said, Then who else? The
  Prophet said PBUH, Your mother. The man said,
  Then who else? The Prophet PBUH said, Your
  mother. The man said, Then who else? Only then
  did the prophet say, Your father.

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• The Economic Aspect
• Right of ownership Islam fully acknowledges
  womens right to her money, real estate, or other
  properties. This right undergoes no change
  whether she is single or married.
• Right of employment Withregard to the womans
  right to seek employment, it should be stated
  first that Islam regards her role in society as a
  mother and a wife as the most sacred and
  essential one. Women have complete right to seek
  employment whenever there is necessacity for it
  specially in positions which fit her natureand in
  which society needs her most.

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• Right of inheritance Islam has given women the
  right of inheritance. Her share is completely
  hers and no one can claim it, including her
  father and her husband. Her share is one half of
  the mans share. However it does not mean that
  she is insignificant but it is so because of the
  financial responsibilities upon man by the
  Islamic law. Man in Islam has the responsibility
  for the maintenance of his wife, his children,
  his parents and in some cases of his needy
  relatives. But women have no obligation to spend
  on her family out of her properties or income.
  She is also entitled to the Mehr which she
  takes from her husband at the time of marriage.

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• The Political Aspect
• Right to vote In Islam women have the right to
  participate in public affairs. They have the
  right to vote and voice their own opinions.
• Right to legislation In Islamic history we find
  number of examples of women who participated in
  serious discussions, even with the Prophet PBUH
  himself. For example, Hazart Ayisha, the
  Prophet's other wives were most important
  advisers and consultants. Women even use to
  participate in wars and battles. So there is no
  restriction in womens participation in social
  and political affairs.