The Islamic society and its characteristics

   The Islamic society and its characteristics

The Islamic Society is unique in its structure, composition and its characteristics. These characteristics are depicted from the Quran and Hadith. The following is a partial list of the characteristics of an Islamic society:

1. Enjoining what is good

2. Forbidding what is bad

3. Faith in Allah

These three characteristics are summarized in the Quran in Surah Al-'Imran (The Family of 'Imran). "You are the best of peoples, evolved for mankind, enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong and believing in God" (3:110).

4. The fourth characteristic of the Islamic Society is based on Moderation, and it is an Ummah of moderation. This concept of community of moderation is explained in the Quran very nicely. In Surah-Al-Baqarah (The Cow), Allah says, "Thus have we made of you an Ummah justly balanced, that you might be witnesses over the nations, and the Apostle a witness over yourselves,"(2:143).

5. The fifth characteristic of the Islamic Society is one Ummah. This concept of being one Muslim community is explained nicely in the Quran. In Surah Al-Anbiya (The Prophets), Allah says:

"Verily, this brotherhood of yours is a single brotherhood, and I am your lord and cherisher: Therefore serve me (and no other)" (21:92).

This concept of being one Ummah is explained nicely in Surah Al-Mu'minun (the believers) Allah says:

"And verily this brotherhood of yours is a single brotherhood, and I am your lord and cherisher: therefore fear me (and no other) (25:52)

6. Another characteristic of the Islamic Society is based on the concept of Consultation. Allah designated a whole Surah in the Quran under the title of Consultation. In Surah Ash-Shura (Consultation) Allah says: "And who (conduct) their affairs by mutual consultation; who spend out of what we bestow on them for sustenance," (42-38).

7. Another characteristic is that of Brotherhood. The Islamic society is built on the concept of brotherhood. Muslims are ordained to have the feelings and application of concept of brotherhood. In this regard, the Quran states in Surah Al-Hujurat (The Inner Apartments) the following:

"The believers are but on single brotherhood." (49:10).

This concept of brotherhood is explained in the Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)which has been narrated by Al-Nu'man Bin Basheer that prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: "The similitude of the believers in their kindness, mercy, affection and compassion toward one another, is like a body, when one organ ails, the whole body is drafted to take care of the problem."

8. Another important characteristic of the Islamic society is that it is built on the concept of Taqwa. This word "Taqwa" may be defined to mean self-discipline, self control, self-restraint, self evaluation and self education. In this regard Allah demanded from the Muslims who are the members of the Islamic Society to have Taqwa. In this regard, the Quran states in Surah Al-Imran. "O you who believe! Fear God as He should be feared, and die not except in a state of Islam,"