GOVERNING SOCIETY IN ISLAM

Islamic jurisprudence, customary law & legal pluralism By Rashmie G. Estino (Mindanao State University - Sulu) Published August 16, 2025 Vol 1 • Issue 1

Abstract

Islam means peace but the Muslim world especially the present generation is still longing for it because chaos exists everywhere. Political instability, economic stagnation, social injustice and cultural crisis are common among many Muslim states today. The most horrible sign of these problems is civil war which affected directly or indirectly almost all Muslims in the world. While there are many approaches undertaken to address the contemporary problem, the formula adopted is ineffective due to incoherence of both principles and practices. In governance for example, public policies are focused on strengthening the role of the state or government—paying small attention to other stakeholders who are part and parcel of society. If the problem is reforming the society socially, economically, politically and culturally, then it is necessary to look upon something that has realized this end successfully and Islam and Islamic history comes to the fore immediately.