الثقافة الإسلامية - الفصل الأول

Islamic Culture - Chapter One

• Definition of Culture and Islamic Culture:
  • The word "Islamic Culture" combines "Islam" and "culture", each with its own technical meaning.
  • "Islam" is derived from the Arabic root "Sa la ma", literally meaning peace, purity, submission, and obedience. Technically, it's submission to Allah's will and obedience to His law.
  • The word "culture" (thaqafah) in Arabic is equal to the English term "culture", and has meanings such as cleverness, skillfulness, and smartness.
  • An example is Um Hakeem's statement that she was smart enough to be tricked.

Linguistic Meaning of Culture

• The Arabic word "thaqafah" is equivalent to the English word "culture."
• It has meanings of: cleverness, skillfulness, and smartness.

Technical Meaning of Culture

• Culture is the entirety of inherited traditions, values, and beliefs passed from one generation to the next.
• Edward B. Taylor's definition of culture is a complex whole encompassing knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, customs, and other capabilities and habits.
• Islamic culture is a set of theoretical and practical knowledge derived from Sharia and evident in how a person or nation thinks and interacts with others.
• It grows out of an ideology, taken from Islamic teachings, forming perceptions about the Creator, humanity, and life.

Characteristics of Islamic Culture

• Divine Origin (Rabbaniyah): Islam's origins are divine, and its sources are the Quran and the Prophet's Sunnah, aimed at achieving Allah's pleasure.
• Harmony with Human Nature ("Fitrah"): Fitrah is the original, natural disposition of humankind, and it guides human beings to morality and conformity to the principles of Islam.

Moderation and Balance (Wasatiyyah)

• Islam emphasizes balance in all aspects of life, avoiding extremes in material, social, spiritual, cultural, and intellectual pursuits.
• It doesn't prioritize either the spiritual or material realm, but establishes balance between them. It provides guidelines for fulfilling the needs of each dimension of human existence.
• An example of this balance is quoted as, "Thus, have We made of you an Ummat justly balanced community." (2:143).

Positiveness (Ijibbiyah)

• Islam encourages its followers to be constructive members of society
• It emphasizes helping them to play positive roles in life and achieving the best in all aspects of life, both spiritual and material.

Rationality, Realism, and Simplicity

• Islamic teachings are based on reason and logic and are free from superstition, and are straightforward.
• Examples are given emphasizing the ease of Islam and the ability of those who are not able, to modify actions according to their circumstances.

Universality

• Islam is not limited to a specific group, time, or place; it applies to all humankind.
• The Prophet Muhammad's message is universal and applies to all people.