Man is a social creature. He is unable to dissociate himself com*pletely from others and live in isolation and seclusion. He is also unable to live in complete harmony with others, since each person has his own particular ideas, qualities, and conduct. to which his nature inclines, which characterize him without anyone else sharing them either partly or wholly.
If there were no general rules to which people could take recourse, and no criteria by which truth could be distinguished from falsehood, social order would be disrupted, human society would break down, and public affairs would be in disarray. The noble Qur'anic verses testify to this. As regards the first point, i.e., man's nature as a social creature, it is indicated by the statement of God, the Exalted:
“O mankind, We have created you male and female, and appointed you races and tribes, that you may know one another”. (49:13)
If man was not social by nature and individuals were able to live by themselves, there would be no need of races and tribes, since they would not require the mutual acquaintance (al-ta`aruf) which depends on social ties.
Regarding the second point, i.e., the inevitability of conflict, God, the Exalted, says:
“Had thy Lord willed, He would have made mankind one nation; but they continue in their differences, excepting those on whom Thy Lord has mercy”. (11:118-119)
“God's responsibility is to show the way; and some do swerve from it. If He willed, He would have guided you all together”. (16:9)
It is not correct to make them `one nation', because that compulsion would be inconsistent with human responsibility and would also be inconsistent with voluntary growth and development. In fact, it would be inconsistent with wisdom as well, since differences on the whole are beneficial, sacred and commendable.
“The people were one nation; then God sent forth the prophets, good tidings to bear and warning, and He sent down with them the Book with the truth, that He might decide between the people touching their differences; and only those who had been given it were at variance upon it after the clear signs had come to them, being insolent one to another; then God guided those who believed to the truth, touching which they were at variance, by His leave; and God guides whomsoever He will to a straight path”. (2:213)
On the elucidation and clarification of the truth, the people were divided into two groups-some of them believed and followed what the Book had brought, and others did not believe through insolence and hostility. This is the disagreement con*cerning faith and conviction, and it is a reprehensible disagreement. Regarding the third point the necessity of determining the general rule to resolve disagreements-that is indicated by the state*ment of God, the Exalted:
“Nay, but they cried lies to the truth when it came to them, and so they are in a matter perplexing”. (50:5)
Almighty censures them for the disorder of their state. They have fallen into confusion by their denial of the truth, and He enjoins them to resort to the truth, avoid creating confusion, and maintain the correct order. Islam has been concerned with removing these differences through training, educating, discipline, and purification.
It has urged adherence to `the strong rope' of Allah and abstention from conflict which would result in social discord. It has brought about brotherhood '- among the believers, and made them “merciful one to another” even though they are “hard against the unbelievers” (48:29).
It has described the believers as being “a building well-compacted” (61:4) in confrontation with untruth, and as “friends one of the other; they bid to honour and forbid dishonour” (9:71).
It has called them to “enter the peace, all of you” (2:208), and not to be separated from the circle of Islam even by an inch, since “one isolated from the community is, for Satan, as the isolated sheep is for the wolf.” It has praised those who ask the forgiveness of Allah, the Exalted, for themselves and their brothers who had preceded them in the faith, and told them to call on God, the Exalted, not to put into their hearts “any rancour towards those who believe” (59:10).
Apart from these, there are other lofty qualities necessary for removing differences and for preventing their development in the hearts, or their becoming apparent in their be*haviour, since people have been taught that Allah knows what they hide in themselves and what they disclose through their conduct.
The judiciary is the guarantee for applying a just system of regulations and preventing disarray in social affairs. It requires the estab*lishment of everything in its proper place, the returning of every right to its owner, and everyone obtaining his due.