Social

Fiqh al-Mu`amalat(Social) presents a framework for conduct in the civil arena. It deals in part with economic functions in an Islamic society but not comprehensively with factors impacting upon economc behaviour since it is concerned solely with legal relationships between members of the society. Under mu`amalat, any action that is not specifically or generally described as prohibited or haram automatically becomes permissible or halal.
Haram acts include :
murder
adultery and fornication
theft
consumption of intoxicants and prohibited food items such as pork and related products
gambling
usury
environmentally destructive activities
supply of arms to an enemy state
astrology and divination
blasphemous activities
obscene and permissive activities
bearing of false witness and rumour-mongering
Any form of involvement, directly or indirectly and in any manner whatever, with haram activities is prohibited irrespective of the desirability of the perceived outcome that might result therefrom. The philosophical idea is clearly that the ends do not justify the means. There is furthermore an instruction of the Prophet s.a.w. in Ahadith that 'only good can come from good', which may be seen as confirming the view that in fact the means justify the ends.
Exceptions to the rules of prohibition are made in case of pressing need. Where survival is threatened for example, a Muslim is allowed to consume otherwise prohibited food or drink. This rule of necessity, known as al-darura, is held by many jurists to apply only to otherwise prohibited items of food and drink, and not to activities such as taking interest on bank deposits for example, since the latter may not be seen as necessary for survival. The circumstances in which al-darura applies are decided according to fatwa and not by the individual himself.
But he who is driven by necessity, neither craving nor transgressing, it is not a sin for him
Qur'an 2:173
Halal activities are sometimes categorised as follows :
a) Recommended or mandub - rewardable if enacted but not punishable if omitted.
b) Indifferent or mubah - enactment is permitted and the law is indifferent.
c) Unspecified or mutlaq - the law does not take any position on such actions.
d) Undesirable or makruh - an action which is undesirable but enactment is not punishable.