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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Islamic Political Theory (Legislation): Volume 1 Session 20: A New Perspective on the Station of Law and Government An organic perspective on society In previous sessions, the main subjects of legislation in Islamic political establishment and government were discussed.

In order to know the station of political and government organs in society according to Islam, we shall mention some similarities and analogies, to better comprehend the essence of the subject. Since time immemorial, scholars have likened society to the human body, saying: Just as the human body is composed of various members and organs and enormous cells, society consists of various entities and institutions with numerous parts.

Each part is made up of individuals each of which is equivalent to a cell of the human body. Of course, this analogy is sometimes exaggerated. Usually, in theoretical and practical works and activities, it is difficult to identify the correct and moderate extent of this above analogy.

Some say: Just as the human body is composed of diverse organs which are different in their natural constitution and can perform only a specific function, so are members of society different from one another in accordance with their essence of creation. Every member of society has been created for a specific function and has to perform only that function and not go beyond that.

For instance, we know that in the beginning all cells of the body come into being from a single cell and it is through the mutation of that cell that different types of constructive cells come into being. Some cells have delicate and tender structures that compose organs such as the eye and brain. Some have strong structures that compose the bones. The cells of bones can never be used in lieu of cells of the eye. Neither can the function and duty of the eye be performed by the bone.

They have come from the same single cell but after mutation, the mutated cells become so varied that each of them can perform only the function determined for it, and they cannot be interchanged. They say that essentially, members of society are created diversely for various tasks. One member cannot perform another’s function.