Can individual perfection lead to systemic change in society?

TL;DR: The Quran, Hadith, and Islamic scholars across the generations unanimously emphasize that societal and systemic reform is more important than individual 'perfection' for bringing about lasting change. The authority of righteous leadership and implementation of the Shariah are critical, not just individual piety. Individual perfection and systemic change The claim that "Individual 'perfection' will never lead to systematic change" is well-supported by Islamic scholarship and rational thinking. The Quran, Hadith, and the words of the Sahaba, Tabi'een, Tabi Tabi'een, and classical scholars all emphasize the primacy of societal and systemic reform over individual piety. The Quran clearly establishes that the authority and leadership of the Ummah comes before individual acts of worship like establishing the Salah and paying Zakaat (Surah Al-Hajj, as explained by the renowned Quranic exegete Imam Al-Qurtubi). The Quran states: "And establish prayer and give zakah and obey the Messenger - that you may receive mercy" (Quran 24:56) The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated that "people are on the Deen (religion) of their rulers" a hadith authenticated by the great scholar Al-Subki. This highlights how the state of the collective has a far greater impact on the individual than vice versa. The sahaba also affirmed this principle. Uthman ibn Affan (may Allah be pleased with him) said that "the people will only be corrected by the Imam (ruler) and not by the Quran alone." Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) added that "the Deen will thrive if the rulers are guided even if the people aren't, and the Deen will perish if the rulers are misguided even if the people are pious!" Moving to the Tabi'een (the generation after the Companions), the eminent Hasan al-Basri stated that "for every matter there is something that spoils it, and for the Deen it is misguided rulers." Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, a towering figure of the Tabi Tabi'een (the generation after the Tabi'een), concisely stated that "the heart of the Deen is the ruler." The renowned Imam and scholar Ibn Taymiyyah also affirmed that "kufr (disbelief) and innovation comes through imitation of the kuffar (disbelievers), and is removed by the implementation of the Shariah" - highlighting the paramount importance of systemic reform. Rationally speaking, it is self-evident that a society, being a collection of people with commonly agreed ideas and systems, has a far greater impact on the individual than the individual can have on the society. For example, a fish attempting to clean itself in dirty water will have no impact on the state of the water itself. Conclusion The evidence from the Quran, Hadith, the statements of the sahaba and rational analysis all point to the primacy of systemic and societal reform over individual 'perfection' when it comes to enacting lasting, widespread change. The focus must be on establishing righteous leadership and implementing the Shariah, not merely on individual piety alone. References Tafsir of Imam Al-Qurtubi on Quran 24:56. Hadith narrated by Al-Tabarani, authenticated by Al-Subki. Ibn Taymiyyah, Majmu' al-Fatawa. Ibn Rajab, Jami' al-Ulum wal-Hikam. Al-Daylami, Firdaws al-Akhbar.