gender differential paper IJCRB

ijcrb.webs.com
JUNE 2011
INTERDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY RESEARCH IN BUSINESS VOL 3, NO 2
Islam has to transform individual, family, community and state as the constituents of a Muslim
society and social justice which promotes the ultimate goal of social wellbeing. Contributors and
recipients for welfare in a Muslim society can be perceived as individual, family, community and
state. Islam creates a sense of social responsibility in human beings and organizes them in a
society and a state.
INDIVIDUAL
An individual in Islamic terminology is interpreted as the vicegerent of its creator and bearer of
this trust is conceived in terms of his accomplishment on earth. God created man of the best
stature announcing him the best of many of His creations.
“And recall when your Lord said to the Angels, I am about to place a vice-generate in the
earth”. (Quraan 2:30)
He is the best creation of God, who created him in his own image. Being God’s best creation he
is endowed with inherent worth and dignity and is therefore worthy of respect as a human being,
irrespective of considerations of color, creed, race, religion or social class. Within his appointed
term of earthly bondage he must distinguish himself from other beings in his efforts of servitude
as he is free to make options and choices in relation to other entities. Man is also viewed with
reference to the social conditions. Virtue does not mean abandoning the value of life or seeking
spiritual elevation of the self by isolating from the social milieu.
Every idea externalized by him as an action is either moral or immoral. The patterns of
interrelationships so formed must also transfer ethical implications to succeeding generations.
They essentially commence from an individual and then extend to the family, eventually taking
into their folds the future Muslim communities. Islam in this way emulates an individual as
dynamic cosmos of integrity, capable of retaining its individuality as well as becoming a part of
a greater corporate personality. An individual enjoys complete liberty of holding an opinion and
that of action even adopting any religion and following way of life.
In Qur’an, it is said:
(say, “the truth is from your lord” : Let him who will believe and let him who will reject (it)
(Quraan 18:29)
The religion of Islam recognizes the worth and dignity of individual. Though it doesn’t believe
in the individualism emphasizing collectivism. The five pillars of Islam are in conformity to this
fact. However, it supports socialized individuals and it protects the rights of individuals as
human beings. Yet, it values the significant role of individual in the process of development. It is
believed that the individuals whose rights are protected and welfare is ensured are expected to
contribute their full potential in the development and stability of the society. On the other hand,
the deprivation from protection and welfare may result in the societal collapse and disintegration.
In Islam, the first and foremost right of the citizen is the protection of their life, property and
honor, together with the assurance that this right would not be interfered with, except on valid
legal ground. The rights of the protection of personal freedom, liberty of opinion and beliefs and
the provision of basic necessities of life are also emphasized in Islam.
Islam also recognizes the individual’s right to private property and maintains the economic
freedom. However it does not favour accumulation of wealth in a few hands. “In order that it
may not (merely) make a circuit between the wealthy among you” (Quraan 59:7). Islam seeks to
create a just and peaceful society based on moral principles. It strives that economic inequalities
do not grow wider by discouraging the concentration of wealth in fewer hands. It takes necessary
steps to stop this antisocial practice. The Holy Qura’an provides guidance in this regard:
O you who believe! Verily, there are many of the (Jewish) rabbis and the (Christian) monks who
devour the wealth of mankind in falsehood, and hinder (them) from the Way of Allah (i.e.
Allah's Religion of Islamic Monotheism). (Quraan 9:34).
COPY RIGHT © 2011 Institute of Interdisciplinary Business Research 1162