The Muslim society as defined by Islam is a unique society that is unlike other societies known to mankind throughout history. This is because it is a society that was formed by the immortal shari'ah of Islam which Allah (Exalted is He) sent down in full as He says in His Book:
This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion. [Quran (5):3]
This shari'ah which Allah has enjoined upon His slaves was complete from the beginning. This is the shari'ah which formed this society on the foundations that Allah wants for His slaves, not on the foundation that some people may want for others. This society was established in the shade of this shari'ah, in contrast to what happened in the case of western societies which developed as a result of class conflict and dealing with over-changing methods of production and conflict of interests and ideas.
It is Islamic shari'ah which formed the Muslim society, not Muslim society that formed Islamic Shari'ah. It is Islamic shari'ah that laid out its foundations, characteristics, principles, values and traditions. Shari'ah was not simply a response to human needs and requirements as is the case with worldly laws. Rather it is a divine blueprint for all of mankind which encompasses everything in the lives of individuals and societies. It defined the relationship of the individual member of that society with his Lord, with his own self, and with his family, relatives, neighbours, brothers in Islam, friends and all the member for his society. It defined the relationship of the Islamic state both at times of peace and times of war. Hence Islamic fiqh covers acts of worship, interaction with others, family laws, jihad, treaties, halal and haram, Sunnahs, and etiquette of relieving oneself and ending with the establishment of the khilafah ─ the Caliph ─ and leadership of the Ummah.
This is the way in which the Muslim society is unique and distinct from other societies: because the One Who created, established and formed it knows more about which is in the interests of mankind than any philosopher, thinker or social scientist who may be involved in laying the foundation of human societies.
As time goes by and human knowledge advances, people come closer to discovering and appreciating the values, systems and laws which are first established by Muslim societies under the shade of Islamic shari'ah.
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