ভূমিকা

Muhammad] (as) has said, “I make haste in fulfilling the needs of my enemy since I fear that if I were to delay this, he would become needless of me [and my enemy becoming needless of me such that I am not able to fulfill his needs is something which displeases me].”[^1] Sociologists have a differing opinion on the following issue: While living within the society, is the human being geared towards societal life or an individual existence?

In other words, are we individualistic or communal in spirit? That which is clear from the point of view of the natural world is that until various elements do not come into existence, one is not complete. Thus, as long as there are no individuals, there can be no society - just as if there are no drops of water, a river cannot exist! Therefore, we see that a community is made up of individuals and in origin, we are individuals.

However, this is not what the sociologists mean, rather, their premise is one of the following: The Essential Nature of Society When the community and the entire society benefit and prosper, this is where the true blessings lie, where as the benefits and outcomes of the individual are insignificant. Therefore, when an individual who is independent from others prospers, it is not very important.

Rather, any positive effects in the fields of knowledge, advancement of the sciences and civilization, all stem from the community and society. Thus, the meaning of “the essential nature” is that of a foundation full of blessings which refers to the entire society.

The Essential Nature of the Individual When there is a discrepancy between the benefits of the person and the benefits of society, if one desires that the society benefits, then this would mean that the individual must sacrifice himself and his desires. Those who support the theory of the 'Essential Nature of the Society' would hold that the benefits of the entire society must take precedence over everything else.