Answer to a Question
The Question:
It was stated in the book, The Social System, under the subject of marriage (p. 112 in the printed version, p. 101 in the version on the official website), in the first paragraph: (Relationships arise from the meeting of men and women that concern their interests and the interests of the community in which they live. These are different from the problems that arise from meeting in society for buying, hiring, representation (wakalah), and the like. It may come to mind that these relationships are marriage alone...).
In the beginning, it speaks about relationships, then mentions "these are different from the problems," then moves to "it may come to mind that these relationships." So why did it say "different from the problems" and not say "different from the relationships," even though the discussion is about relationships?
The Answer:
The system in Islam regulates two matters: relationships and the arising problems. For example, the relationship between a man and a woman is organized by the Islamic system through marriage. The problems that arise from this relationship are organized by the Islamic system through divorce, for instance. Thus, marriage is not an organization of an arising problem; rather, it is the organization of a relationship between two individuals: a male and a female. Divorce is not the organization of a relationship, but rather a remedy and organization for a problem that may arise due to the existence of the relationship... Similarly, the relationship of selling between members of society is organized by Islam through the contract of sale, and the problems that arise from this relationship are organized by the Islamic system through the rules of contract rescission, for example... Thus, the system includes two matters: organizing the relationship through shar’i rulings, and treating the problems that arise through shar’i rulings.
In the book, The Social System, there was a keenness to highlight these two matters in more than one place. That is, to highlight that the system of Islam contains rulings that organize relationships and rulings that treat and organize problems. It is a system that encompasses all aspects. For example, it says in The Social System:
- Pages 6-7 of the book:
(...Furthermore, the word "social" (ijtima’i) is an adjective for the system. Therefore, this system must be designed to organize the problems that arise from the meeting, or for the relationships arising from the meeting. The meeting of a man with a man, or a woman with a woman, does not require a system because no problems arise from it, and no relationships arise from it that require a system. Rather, the organization of interests between them requires a system by virtue of them living in one country, even if they do not meet. As for the meeting of a man with a woman, and a woman with a man, it is this which gives rise to problems that need organization by a system, and gives rise to relationships that need organization by a system. Therefore, this meeting was more entitled to be called the "Social System" because, in reality, it organizes the meeting between man and woman, and organizes the relationships that arise from this meeting.) End quote.
- Page 100 of the book:
(...As for the relationships that arise from this meeting, and the problems that branch out from it, they are another part of the social system, such as marriage, divorce, parenthood, maintenance (nafaqah), and the like. Although these rulings—the rulings of marriage, divorce, and the like—are part of the systems of society because they organize the relationship of one individual to another, they have, in their origin, arisen from the meeting that occurs between the woman and the man. Therefore, they are discussed in terms of their origins and emergence within the social system. As for their details and branches, they are part of the systems of society and are discussed in the chapter of Transactions (Mu’amalat).) End quote.
Thus, it becomes clear that the pairing of the terms (relationship, problems) is not exclusive to the place mentioned in the question on page 101 of The Social System. This is for the reason we mentioned regarding the distinction between a relationship and a problem, and that the system includes both matters together...
There is another matter: the specific passage questioned is suitable for the term "relationships" to be mentioned in the first and third instances because the discussion in those two instances is about the same thing, which is the relationships between men and women arising from the meeting. As for the second instance in the middle, it speaks about something other than these relationships; it speaks about what arises "from the meeting in society for buying, hiring, representation (wakalah), and the like." Buying, hiring, and representation are relationships between people, and for what arises from them, the use of the term "problems" is more appropriate than the use of the term "relationships." Here is the referenced text once more:
(Relationships arise from the meeting of men and women that concern their interests and the interests of the community in which they live. These are different from the problems that arise from meeting in society for buying, hiring, representation (wakalah), and the like. It may come to mind that these relationships are marriage alone, but the truth is that marriage is one of them, and they include things other than marriage. Therefore, sexual meeting is not the only manifestation of the procreation instinct (gharizat an-naw’), but rather it is one of its manifestations.) End quote.
Through this, it is evident that the pairing of the terms (relationship, problems) is an intentional pairing with significance, and it also suits the context in the place questioned. Therefore, it is not necessary to change or amend the text; it is a sound and consistent text.
I hope that the matter has become clear.
30 Jumada al-Ula 1440 AH 05 February 2019 CE