Individual and Social Perfection in Islamic Thought

The notion of individual and social perfection varies according to civilization. Variability in this sense is to be regarded as a characteristic feature of every civilization. The Islamic-influenced notion of perfection describes the personal and communal capacity to bear individual and communal responsibility in a good and constructive sense. This understanding of perfection has not only an intellectual, moral and religious meaning. It also includes a material perspective, such as being socially and economically productive and useful. Islam as a religion and a way of life, with social and legal dimensions, emphasizes the perfection of man through a constructive social order and shows a determination to prevent situations that would disrupt this order. This religion also rejects the concept of collective salvation and sin and emphasizes individual responsibility and maturity. Islamic thought emphasizes that the society that follows the path of multifaceted progress can be a society in which the good (maruf) can be promoted and the bad (munkar) can be rejected. This study, based on the analysis of primary and secondary sources, examines the topic-specific insights and thoughts in the referenced sources with a social philosophical hermeneutic approach. This qualitative study discusses the notion of individual and social perfectibility in light of modern social science concepts and theories without falling into an anachronistic and reductionist stance. In a sense, this study aims to re-understand and make sense of the social thoughts and concepts in the Islamic sources in light of the achievements of contemporary social sciences.