Answer to Question
Connecting the two words (Relationship and Problems) in the Social System Book is Deliberate and has a Meaning
(Translated)

Question

In the book, the Social System in Islam, on the subject of marriage, (page 112 Arabic version / p. 113 English version), and the book we are using in (page 110, Arabic version / p. 113 English version) on the official site, the first paragraph says:

“From the social gathering of men and women arise relationships which pertain to their interests, and the interests of the community in the midst of which both sexes live. They are different to the problems in society that arise when people come together for the purpose of selling, renting, delegating and other such matters. It may occur to some that these relationships only constitute marriage.” End Quote.

At first he talks about relationships, then says “they are other than problems”, then moves on, and what comes to mind that these are the relationships, so why did he say “they are other than problems” and did not say they other than relationships, while the discussion is about relationship?

Answer

The system in Islam regulates two things: relationships, and the problems that arise. For example, the relationship of men to women is by marriage organized by the system of Islam, and the problems resulting from this relationship is organized by the Islamic system for example, through divorce; marriage is not an organization for the emerging problem, but the organization of the relationship between two individuals: male and female. Divorce is not a regulation of a relationship, but a solution and organization of a problem that may arise because of the relationship.

The relationship of selling between members of society is regulated by the contract of sale, and the problems arising from this relationship is regulated by the system of Islam by the rules of breaking the contract, for example. Thus, the system includes two things: regulating relationships with the Ahkam Shariah (Islamic rulings), and addressing the problems that arise by the Islamic rules. The Social System book is keen to highlight these two issues in more than one place in the book, i.e. to emphasize that the system of Islam has Ahkaam governing relationships and rules that deal with problems and organizes them. It is a system that covers all aspects.

As an example, the following was mentioned in the book, The Social System:

On page 6-7 (Arabic version) / (p. 7 English version):

“Additionally, the word 'social' is a description of a system, thus the subject matter of this system should be the organisation of the problems arising from the meeting of people and the relationships that arise from people meeting together. The meeting of a man with a man and a woman with a woman does not require a system because no problems arise from it, and nor do relationships arise which require a system. Only the organisation of their interests requires a system in view of the fact that they live in the same country even if they did not meet. As for the meeting between men and women, it is from this meeting that problems and relationships arise which need to be organised by a system. Thus, this meeting (ijtimaa') is better referred to as the social system, because in reality it is this system which organises the meeting between men and women, and the relationships which arise from such meetings.” End Quote.

On page 100 (Arabic version) / (p. 111 English version):

“As for the relationships, which arise from this social intercourse and the problems that branch out from it, they are another part of the social system. These are: marriage, divorce, sonship (paternity) and financial maintenance (Nafaqah) etc. Although these rules (of marriage and divorce) are from the systems of society because they organise the relationship between individuals, from the point of view of their origin, they have however resulted from the social intercourse that takes place between men and women. Therefore, they are studied in the social system in view of their origin and source. In terms of details and their branches they are part of the systems of society, and discussed under the subject of transactions.” End Quote

Thus, the connection of the words (relationship and problems) is not specific to the question referred to on page 101 (p. 111 English version) of The Social System book, because of the reason we mentioned; the distinction between relationship and problem, and that the system includes both things.

Another thing, is that the word “relationships” is appropriately mentioned on the paragraph in question, i.e. in the first and third paragraphs, because both discussions are on the same subject, i.e. the relationships between men and women arising from the meeting, And the second paragraph, in the middle, speaks of other relationships and what arises from "the meeting in society for the purpose of selling, leasing, sponsorship and so on". Selling, leasing, and sponsorship and so on are relations between people, and what results from them, is best described by the word "problems" more than the use of the term "relationships". Here is the text referred to again:

“From the social gathering of men and women arise relationships which pertain to their interests, and the interests of the community in the midst of which both sexes live. They are different to the problems in society that arise when people come together for the purpose of selling, renting, delegating and other such matters. It may occur to some that these relationships only constitute marriage. The truth is that marriage is only one of the relationships, and they include other than marriage. Therefore, the sexual association is not the only manifestation of the procreation instinct, but rather it is one of its manifestations...” End Quote (p. 113 English version)

Thus, it appears that the connection of the words (relationship and problems) is deliberate and meaningful, and appropriately used in the paragraph in question, therefore it is not necessary to change or modify the text, it is a correct and coordinated text.

I hope that the matter is clearer

30 Jumada Al-Awwal 1440 AH
05/02/2019 CE