There are three main objectives of the Social System in Islam. These are :

1. To define the roles of men and women.
2. To organise the relationship between men and women and to solve the problems that arise from this relationship.
3. To regulate the family structure.

All the rules and laws which human beings are subject to in order to fulfil these objectives are defined by the Shari‘ah. Some roles are unique to men and women and some apply to both.

The Man

A man can take different roles with regard to his relationship with those around him. Islam defines different rights and duties for the man depending on which capacity he is acting in. Some of the roles he could have are as :

1. Grandfather
2. Maternal/ Paternal Uncle
3. Father
4. Brother 5. Son
5. Husband
6. Maternal / Paternal Nephew
7. Unrelated man.

Some examples of the different rights and duties incumbent upon the man depending on his capacity are :

1. The father must provide food, shelter and clothing for his children, until such a time that they are mature, and able to support themselves, after which his support becomes a charity.

‘A’isha (ra) narrated that Hind bint Utbah came to the Messenger of Allah (saw) and she said, “Oh Rasul Allah, Abu Sufyan is a miserly man and I have nothing from him except what I take for myself.” The Prophet (saw) said, “Take what is sufficient for you and your child with justice.” Kitab al Umm, Imam Shafi‘i

1. The son is obliged (i.e. it is fard) to obey the mother or father in those areas which are mubah (permitted) and are the right of the parent, e.g. to serve them or look after them, and is mandub (recommended) to obey them in areas which are the choice of the son, e.g. who to marry, what to wear etc. It is forbidden for him to obey his parents if they order him to disobey Allah (swt).

“And we have enjoined upon man to be good to his parents. In travail upon travail did his mother bear him. And in years twain was his weaning : (Hear the command) Show gratitude to Me and your parents : To me is (your final) goal. But if they strive to make you join in worship with me things of that which you have no knowledge, obey them not.” [TMQ 31:14-15]

1. It is forbidden for an unrelated man to gaze at a woman with lustful intentions.

Jarir ibn ‘Abdullah reported, “I asked Allah’s Messenger about the sudden glance (that is cast) on the face (of a non-mahram). He commanded me that I should turn away my eyes.” Muslim

The Woman

The woman too can take different roles. Her duties vary depending on which capacity she acts in.

Among the roles that a woman can take, these are some of the important ones :

1. Mother
2. Maternal/ Paternal Aunt
3. Grandmother
4. Sister
5. Daughter
6. Wife
7. Maternal / Paternal Niece
8. Unrelated woman
9. Wet-nurse (i.e. mother by breast-feeding)

Here are a few examples of what some of these roles may entail:

1. The mother has more right of obedience and respect from her children than the father.

Abu Hurayrah related that a man came to the Prophet (saw) and asked, “O Rasul Allah, which of all the people is best entitled to kind treatment and good companionship from me? He answered, ‘your mother.’ The man asked, ‘Then who?’ He said, ‘Your mother.’ ‘And after her?’ He replied, ‘Your mother.’ ‘And after her?’ He replied, ‘Your father.’ ” Bukhari and Muslim

1. The daughter needs the permission from her waliy (guardian), who is usually her husband or father, to leave the house. Baihaqi narrated that the Prophet (saw) said, “It is not permissible for a woman who believes in Allah and the Last Day to allow someone into her husband’s house if he is opposed, or to go out if he is averse.”
2. The maternal aunt has more right of custody over her young nephew or niece, than any other relation apart from the mother and father.

Muhammad (saw) said, “The khala (maternal aunt) has equal rights after the mother.” The hadith was regarding custody of a child.

Each role that the man or woman may fulfil has its own details and explanations. However, by fulfilling the roles that each has with regards to the other people around them, harmony will prevail within the family structure. Disputes which may arise will be solved by the Shari‘ah, whether they are within the family structure, or in the society as a whole.