Malfunctions of the Social Capital and the Role Played by Religion to Improve Them

The main question discussed in the present article is “may religion be used to increase and improve the functions of the social capital and at the same time to reduce the adverse effects of the social capital?” The authors have assumed that the principles governing the social capital cause special characteristics to rule the relationships creating the social capital and، as a result، many malfunctions of the social capital may be eliminated. In a comparative way، at first، the present article discusses the concept of the social capital and its malfunctions; then introduces the principles recommended by Islam to improve the social capital. In the present writing، the authors recommend to employ the Islamic teachings to reduce adverse effects of the social capital.