Building a New Society: An Islamic Approach
Author: Zahid Parvez
ISBN: 0-9536768-1-1
Paperback 270 Pages
Revival Publications, Markfield, Leicestershire UK

Building a New Society casts light on an issue that has generated much heated debate: how a social change based on Islam should be brought about?

The book expounds the vision of Islam for man and society and presents the broad process Islam has laid down for realising this vision. It reminds the readers of the purpose of the Muslim world-community, highlights the problems and key challenges that are presented by secular-materialism and clarifies the Islamic methodology for guiding and directing social change in a systematic and comprehensive way.

Some of the issues addressed include: What kind of change does Islam aim to promote in social life? Where does the process of change start from? Should change be revolutionary or gradual? What bearing should the social context have on strategies and methods?

Table of Contents

FOREWORD BY PROFESSOR KHURSHID AHMAD PREFACE

PART I:
ISLAM AND THE CONTEMPORARY STATE OF AFFAIRS
CHAPTER I:     INTRODUCTION
The Purpose of this Book
The Meaning of Social Change
Sociological Theories of Social Change
Islamic Perspective on Social Change 
An Overview of the Islamic process of Social Change 

CHAPTER II:    OBJECTIVES AND VISION 
The Vision of Islam 
God's Guidance as the Supreme Authority 
Vicegerency of Human Being (Khilafa) 
Justice 
Disciplined Political Power and Consultation (Shura) 
Social Responsibility 
Islam and Contemporary Society 
Islam and other World Religions 

CHAPTER III:    PURPOSE AND MISSION
The Mission of God's Messengers
The Rise and Fall of the Muslim World-community
The Reasons for the Downfall of the Muslim World-community
Muslims Response to their Situation
Future Prospects

CHAPTER IV:     THE WORLD TODAY
The Contemporary State of Affairs The Rise of Secular-Materialism
Materialism
Social Crises arising from Secular-Materialism
Solutions based upon Secular-Materialism Pseudo-Spiritualism (or Monasticism) Conclusion
CHAPTER V:       CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES
Contemporary Challenges Facing the Challenges Re-kindling the Islamic Vision The Role of Quranic Guidance
 

PART II:
THE CHANGE PROCESS: FRAMEWORK AND METHODOLOGY

CHAPTER VI:      FRAMEWORK FOR SOCIAL CHANGE
The Universal Message of Islam The Islamic Framework for Guiding Social Change
The Starting Point - A Rejection
of False Gods The Goal - Establishment of
God's Sovereignty The Process of Social Change Islamic Values

CHAPTER V:       METHODOLOGY FOR SOCIAL CHANGE
The Prophetic Methodology for Social Change

Core Ingredients of the Change Process Islamic Methodology An Islamic Social Movement (Jama'a) A Call to the Message of Islam (Dawa) Striving for Social Change {Jihad} Establishment of a Just Society (Iqamat ad-Din) Gradual Change Time-frame for Introducing Social Change

CHAPTER VIII:      APPLICATION OF THE METHODOLOGY
The Social Context Preparing People for Change Emergent and Dynamic Processes Operational Strategies and Methods Dealing with Resistance An Overview of Contemporary Popular Methodologies
 

CHAPTER IX:         THE ISLAMIC MOVEMENT - A VEHICLE FOR SOCIAL CHANGE
The Need for an Islamic Movement General Islamic Principles of Organising General Characteristics of an Islamic Movement

CHAPTER X: AGENTS OF CHANGE: A FRAMEWORK FOR PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT 
Scope and Objectives of Personal
Development 
A Framework for Personal Development
Implementation of the Development
Programme 

CHAPTER XI:         A PRACTICAL FRAMEWORK FOR POSITIVE CHANGE IN A WESTERN CONTEXT 
Muslims in the West - A Unique Situation 
A Genuine Concern for Society 
A Practical Framework to Guide Positive Change 
Development of Muslim Community Life 
Sharing the Message of Islam with Society 
Positive Contributions Towards Society 

CHAPTER XII: CONCLUSION                                                                                   
BIBLIOGRAPHY 
GLOSSARY 
INDEX 

About The Author