Abu Yasir "Pashtun"
Human and society are two terms we come across every day. They are so closely linked that one cannot exist without the other. It is commonly said that humans are social beings, meaning they cannot live in isolation but sustain life through companionship, support, and interaction with others. From the very start of human existence on earth, the necessity of society has been recognized. If society consists of a group of humans, then humans are the essential members of society. Both affect each other and are inseparable. To grasp this more clearly, the ideas of human and society should be explained individually.
Human:
There are various opinions about the origin of the word "human," and the discussion is broad, so it cannot be fully covered here. One view, mentioned on the Wiki Fiqha website, is: A human is essentially "nasiyan," which means forgetful. This refers to humans forgetting the covenant made with Allah. The word "insan" (human) is a shortened form of a frequently used term. Another view states that "insan" derives from "uns," which means light, love, and affection, implying that humans should love and care for each other.
Regarding the Terminological Definition of Human: Human, Bashar, and Adam are three terms that generally denote a being capable of speech, setting it apart from other creatures. However, linguists distinguish between these words. The term "Adam" can sometimes specifically refer to a type of human, such as male or female. In the Quran, "Bashar" refers to the physical body, skin, and flesh of a human, while "insan" (human) signifies the inner essence, abilities, and virtues. In summary, a human is a creation made to worship the Creator and is required to live among others with love, affection, and brotherhood.
Society:
A society is a group of people living together in a defined geographic area, sharing common culture, customs, values, laws, and relationships. Society serves as the basis of human social life, where individuals interact and work toward common goals. It is also a system of mutual cooperation and connections among humans that addresses their needs and problems through collective effort. With the concepts of human and society understood, we now proceed to discuss their interrelationship:
Need for the Formation of Society:
A human alone cannot meet all needs such as food, shelter, safety, education, and healthcare. These needs can only be fulfilled with the assistance of others. Therefore, humans must live together, abide by rules, and cooperate. This is why society is formed.
Human Role in Society:
Humans not only gain from society but also bear the responsibility to contribute to its development, order, and ethics. Schools, family, religion, culture, and media are the channels through which humans learn their social roles, apply them, share methods of positive change, and present their successful experiences to enhance the well-being of others.
Role of Society in Human Development:
Society has a direct impact on humans. Its values, customs, beliefs, and rules shape an individual's character. A child develops thoughts, feelings, and behaviors based on the principles of their society. Good societies foster good humans, whereas bad societies can negatively affect them.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the relationship between human and society is mutual: humans build society, and society educates humans. A good human’s responsibility is to make their society beautiful, orderly, and progressive, selflessly contribute to public welfare, and strive for a just social system.
If we want a good life, we need good humans and good society, care for others’ well-being, and find success in collective progress.