The word ‘social’ in its strict sense refers to mutual relations of men in a given society. While dealing with the social system of Islam we have, therefore, to consider the nature of society which is formed according to Divine law for the purpose of harmonious and peaceful coexistence.
Islamic society, as such, is the true image of Islam which regulates the relations between man and man on the basis of righteousness. Religion according to the Prophet is ‘good human relations’.
Social system, thus, covers the whole range of mutual relations and the goodness of this largely depends upon the law which controls it.
The principle of law which ensures good human relations is the saying of the Prophet: ‘Do not inflict injury, nor repay one injury with another’. This serves to purge the society of social evils and paves the way for peaceful coexistence.
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Islam is a universal religion and whoever embraces it becomes a Muslim and integral part of its society.
‘In mutual compassion, love and kindness, the believers are like a body, if one of its parts feels pain, the whole body responds with wakefulness and fever’ as said the Prophet.
Such is the unity of life, while the control exercised by the law guarantees not only the uniformity of society, but also establishes good human relations.
To know the Islamic social system with its moral value, we may consider it under two broad heads Economics and Politics.