Islamic teachings really maintain a balance between personal (individual) and public (collective) interests, between the body and spirit, between mental and spiritual material, between the world and the hereafter. Many verses of the Qur’an explain this, including: “But seek, through that which Almighty Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter; and, do not forget your share of the world. And do good as Almighty Allah has done good to you. And desire not corruption in the land. Indeed, Almighty Allah does not like corrupters.” (Quran) Islam with its integral set of laws does not at all justify the attitude of avoiding material enjoyment so that it adopts a single life or isolates itself from society. At the same time, Islam also does not condone the attitude of immersing oneself completely in material life so as to forget Almighty Allah and the days to come. Islam encourages adherents to harmonize worldly and Ukhrawi life, physical and spiritual needs, and fulfills the rights of Almighty Allah, and the rights of himself and the rights of others without bias or ignores an obligation for the sake of other obligations. Narrated by Anas bin Malik: “A group of three men came to the houses of the wives of the Prophet asking how the Prophet worshipped (Almighty Allah), and when they were informed about that, they considered their worship insufficient and said, Where are we from the Prophet as his past and future sins have been forgiven. Then one of them said, I will offer the prayer throughout the night forever. The other said, I will fast throughout the year and will not break my fast. The third said, I will keep away from the women and will not marry forever. Almighty Allah’s Apostle came to them and said, Are you the same people who said so-and-so? By Almighty Allah, I am more submissive to Almighty Allah and more afraid of Him than you; yet I fast and break my fast, I do sleep and I also marry women. So he who does not follow my tradition in religion, is not from me (not one of my followers)” (Bukhari and Muslim).
“Islam with its integral set of legal instruments recognizes the rights of society while recognizing the rights of individuals in social life. Islam creates a kind of integration, balance and alignment between the two, outlines harmonious boundaries for both, and establishes a strong bond between the two. If it turns out there is a conflict between individual and social interests. Islam prioritizes the interests of many people”.
On another occasion the Prophet (SAW) said he justified Salman’s direction to Abu Darda when Abu Darda away from worldly pleasures, forbade him to sleep, eat meat, and fulfill his wife’s rights, with his words: “… You owe a duty to your Rubb, you owe a duty to your body; you owe a duty to your family; so you should give to everyone his due” (Muslim) In the context of individual responsibility towards society, and society towards individuals, Prophet (SAW) made beautiful parables like a ship, with his words: “The parable of those who respect the limits of Almighty Allah and those who violate them is that of people who board a ship after casting lots, some of them residing in its upper deck and others in its lower deck. When those in the lower deck want water, they pass by the upper deck and say: If we tear a hole in the bottom of the ship, we will not harm those above us. If those in the upper deck let them do what they want, they will all be destroyed together. If they restrain them, they will all be saved together.” (Bukhari) This Hadith confirms the importance of social functions for every Muslim. This social function is to build a social system to defend the safety of all humanity in society. It includes the teachings of Aqeedah, morals, and law that must not be violated by Muslims themselves, both individually and collectively for the sake of creating an ideal social system. With social functionalisation implemented in this life, social power will be created until the community, both individually and collectively, are not easily disturbed by crime and abuse committed by humanity. Thus, Islam with its integral set of legal instruments recognizes the rights of society while recognizing the rights of individuals in social life. Islam creates a kind of integration, balance and alignment between the two, outlines harmonious boundaries for both, and establishes a strong bond between the two. If it turns out there is a conflict between individual and social interests. Islam prioritizes the interests of many people.
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