Islamic Culture - Chapter 1 (PDF)

University of Sharjah Faculty of Shari’ah and Islamic Studies Islamic Culture Chapter One The Concept of Islamic Culture and Its Characteristics 1- Definition of Culture and Islami...

University of Sharjah Faculty of Shari’ah and Islamic Studies Islamic Culture Chapter One The Concept of Islamic Culture and Its Characteristics 1- Definition of Culture and Islamic Culture: The word Islamic Culture consists of two different words namely Islam and culture. Both words have its own meaning, however when it is used as a word it has its own technical meaning. The word Islam is derived from the Arabic root "Sa la ma" which literally means peace, purity, submission and obedience. In the technical sense, Islam means submission to the will of Allah and obedience to His law. Everything and every phenomenon in the world other than man is administered totally by Allah’s laws, i.e. they are obedient to Allah and submissive to His laws. Man possesses the qualities of intelligence and choice, thus he is invited to submit to the good will of Allah and obey His law. Linguistic Meaning of Culture The word culture (thaqafah) is the equal and equivalent Arabic term to indicate English expression of “culture”, and “ ‫ ثقافة‬thaqafah” as a term in Arabic has the following meanings:  Smartness, skillfulness and cleverness: For example: َ ُ ‫اف فَ َما أ‬ ‫علَّ ُم‬ ٌ َ‫ َوثَق‬، ‫صانٌ فَ َما أ ُ َكلَّ ُم‬ َ ‫إِنِي لَ َح‬ Um Hakeem said in her response to Um Jamil “I am smart enough to be fooled or tricked.” 1 University of Sharjah Faculty of Shari’ah and Islamic Studies  Domination over something/someone and overtake: For example ‫“إِن يَثْقَفُو ُك ْم يَكُونُوا لَ ُك ْم أ َ ْعدَاء‬ * “If they find you, they will be your enemies.” * “If they have the upper hand of you, they would behave to you as enemies.” ‫فإما تثقفنهم في الحرب‬ * “Therefore if you overtake them in fighting” * If you gain the mastery over them in war,  To adjust, make straight For example "‫“ثقفت القناة‬ * “I have adjusted the stream” The Oxford Advanced Dictionary of Current English defines culture as:  Advanced development of the human powers.  Evidence of intellectual development (of arts, science, etc) in human society.  State of intellectual development among people; and particular form of intellectual development, for example, we say: ‘We owe much to Greek Culture’, or ‘He has studied Islamic Culture’.  All the arts, beliefs, social institutions, etc characteristics of a community, race, etc.  Cultivating 2 University of Sharjah Faculty of Shari’ah and Islamic Studies Technical Meaning of Culture  Culture means the total body of tradition borne by a society and transmitted from one generation to another. It is also the set of beliefs, values and traditions that man learn and deduce from birth to death.  According to Edward B. Taylor “ Culture is that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, customs, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society”. Based on this definition, culture is learned through socialization process and can be shared and transmitted. The Concept of Islamic Culture Islamic Culture is “A set of acquired theoretical and practical information deduced from the Shari’ah founded by its belief system which are apparent in the way of thinking and style of life of a wise person or a nation and translated in their social life and dealings with others”. The above definition of Islamic culture highlighted a few important points:  Every culture grows out of some ideology. The ideology of Islamic culture depend on the thoughts and ideas taken from Islamic teachings.  It forms the right perception on the Creator, Man, Universe and life.  The Islamic culture is translated in social life and the dealings with others that indicate the comprehensiveness of this culture which includes all aspects of human life. This includes their dealings with other human beings and other creatures of Allah. Distinction Between Culture, Civilization and Modernization 3 University of Sharjah Faculty of Shari’ah and Islamic Studies The word culture is sometimes confused with other terms which have a similar meaning. Among these terms are science (‘Ilm), and civilization (hadarah). The connection and distinction between these terms can be summarized as follows: Culture and Science Connection - both plays important roles in nations’ progress. - both are mainly originated based on human intellect. - Both are integral components of human history. Distinction - Culture is personal (special) while science is general - Culture is behavior whereas science is realization and theory. - Culture have restrictions whereas science has no restrictions - Framework of culture is wider than range of science. - Culture is social whereas science is conductive and practical. Culture and Civilization Connection - Culture is related to the thinking and behavior rooted in people as a result of their acquired knowledge - Civilization is related to thinking and behavior and the achievement of a nation or society throughout a specific period of history. This achievement is rooted in the nation and developed as time passes by. An example of civilization is the Islamic civilization, the Roman civilization etc. 4 University of Sharjah Faculty of Shari’ah and Islamic Studies Distinction - The scope of civilization is wider and more comprehensive than the scope of culture. - Culture is restricted to mental and intellectual aspects while civilization is confined to the material side represented by industries, inventions, innovations and the like Characteristics of Islamic Culture Islamic Culture has its unique characteristics that are the special features of this culture and that distinguish it from other cultures. Below are some of these important characteristics. 1. It is of Divine Origin (Rabbaniyah): ‫ربانية‬ The main characteristic of Islamic Culture is that it is Divine. Islam is not a man-made religion. Its principal sources (The Holy Qur’an and Prophet’s Sunnah) are from Allah. The goal of Islamic culture is attaining the pleasure of the Creator. )138 ‫ّللاِ ِص ْبغَة َو َنحْ نُ لَهُ عَا ِبدُون (البقرة‬ َّ َ‫سنُ ِمن‬ َّ ‫ِص ْبغَ َة‬ َ ْ‫ّللاِ َو َم ْن أَح‬ |Our( Sibghah) religion) is] the Sibghah(Religion) of Allâh (Islâm) and which Sibghah(religion) can be better than Allâh's? And we are His worshippers (Al-Baqarah: 138) ‫اْلي َمانُ َو َٰلَ ِك ْن َجعَ ْلنَاهُ نُورا‬ َٰ ُ َ ‫َو َكذَ ِلكَ أ َ ْو َح ْينَا إِلَ ْيكَ ُروحا ِم ْن أ َ ْم ِرنَا ۚ َما ُك ْنتَ تَد ِْري َما ا ْل ِكت‬ ِ ْ ‫اب َو ََل‬ ‫نَ ْهدِي ِب ِه َم ْن نَشَا ُء ِم ْن ِعبَا ِدنَا‬ “And thus We have sent to you (O Muhammad SAW) Ruh (a Revelation,) of Our Command. You knew not what is the Book, nor 5 University of Sharjah Faculty of Shari’ah and Islamic Studies what is Faith? But We have made it (this Qur'an) a light wherewith We guide whosoever of Our slaves We will.” 42: 51. Rabbaniyyah leads the individual to:  Realize his aim in life, his directions, his motives and the nature of his mission.  Attain peace and tranquility of mind.  Enjoy internal peace and guidance to the straight path.  It directs the individual to his true nature ‘Fitrah’ which Allah created in him. 2. Harmony with Human Nature “FITRAH” Fitrah is an Arabic or Quranic term that denotes original status of human being. It is the human natural innate or ability to realize morality out of immorality. It helps to develop the conscience of humans and to help them conform what they ought to do and what they ought to avoid. In other words, the natural disposition will help to guide human beings to conform to the way of life in Islam. When humans violate their natural innate and deviated from God’s path, God sent Messengers to put them on the right path. ِ َّ‫الدينُ ا ْلقَيِ ُم َولَ ِكنَّ أ َ ْكث َ َر الن‬ ‫اس‬ ِ َ‫ّللاِ ذَ ِلك‬ َّ ‫ق‬ِ ‫علَ ْي َها ََل ت َ ْبدِي َل ِل َخ ْل‬ َ َّ‫ّللاِ الَّتِي فَ َط َر الن‬ َ ‫اس‬ ِ ‫فَأَقِ ْم َوجْ َهكَ ِللد‬ َّ َ‫ِين َحنِيفا فِ ْط َرة‬ )32 ‫ََل يَ ْعلَ ُمونَ (الروم‬ “So set you (O Muhammad SAW )your face towards the religion of pure Islâmic Monotheism Hanifa( worship none but Allâh Alone) Allâh's Fitrah( i.e. Allâh's Islâmic Monotheism), with which He has created mankind. No change let there be in Khalq illâh( i.e. the Religion of Allâh Islâmic Monotheism), that is the straight religion, but most of men know not.” (30:32) 6 University of Sharjah Faculty of Shari’ah and Islamic Studies This means that everyone can accept the Islamic culture as it does not contradict with the need of human beings. 3. Moderation and balance:‫الوسطية والتوازن‬ Islamic culture is well balanced in its constituent elements and balance in its teachings. Islam is a religion that gives to each aspect of human life its due without any imbalance or exaggeration. The material, social, spiritual, cultural, and intellectual aspects of human life are treated in a balance manner. It teaches moderation and rejects extremism. Islam never asks people to focus only on the spiritual dimension or on the material dimension of their life. But it puts each dimension in its right place and legislates the necessary instruction to fulfill and meet the need of that particular dimension of human life. َ ‫”و َكذَ ِلكَ َجعَ ْلنَا ك ْم أ َمة َو‬ “‫سطا‬ َ “Thus, have We made of you an Ummat justly balanced community,” (2:143) Islam is of a balanced view towards the world and the Hereafter, َ َ‫ّللاُ ِإ َل ْيكَ َو ََل تَب ِْغ ا ْلف‬ ‫سا َد ِفي‬ َ ْ‫نس نَ ِصي َبكَ ِمنَ ال ُّد ْن َيا َوأَحْ سِن َك َما أَح‬ َّ َ‫سن‬ َ َ ‫َّار ْاْل ِخ َرةَ َو ََل ت‬ َّ َ‫َوا ْبت َ ِغ فِي َما آت َاك‬ َ ‫ّللاُ الد‬ )77 ‫س ِدينَ (القصص‬ ِ ‫ب ا ْل ُم ْف‬ُّ ‫ّللاَ ََل يُ ِح‬ َّ َّ‫ض ِإن‬ ِ ‫ْاْل َ ْر‬ “But seek, with that (wealth) which Allâh has bestowed on you, the home of the Hereafter, and forget not your portion of legal enjoyment in this world, and do good as Allâh has been good to you, and seek not mischief in the land. Verily, Allâh likes not the Mufsidûn (those who commit great crimes and sins, oppressors, tyrants, mischief-makers, corrupts).” (28:77) 7 University of Sharjah Faculty of Shari’ah and Islamic Studies It balances between the individual’s need and the needs of society. ‫ّللاِ صلى هللا عليه و سلم ع َْن النَّبِي ِ صلى هللا عليه و‬ َّ ‫سو ِل‬ َ ُ‫ع ْن أَبِي َح ْم َزةَ أَنَ ِس ب ِْن َمالِكٍ َر ِض َي هللا‬ ُ ‫ع ْنهُ َخاد ِِم َر‬ ]45:‫س ِل ٌم [رقم‬ ْ ‫ َو ُم‬،]13:‫ي [رقم‬ُّ ‫" َر َواهُ ا ْلبُ َخ ِار‬. ‫ ََل يُ ْؤ ِمنُ أ َ َح ُد ُك ْم َحتَّى ي ُِحب ِِل َ ِخي ِه َما ي ُِحب ِلنَ ْف ِس ِه‬: "‫سلم قَا َل‬ On the authority of Abu Hamzah Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) — the servant of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) — that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “None of you [truly] believes until he loves for his brother that which he loves for himself”. It was related by al-Bukhari and Muslim. Moderation is the centre point between two extremes Anas (Allah be pleased with him) reported that some of the Companions of Allah's Apostle (‫ )ﷺ‬asked his (the Prophet's) wives about the acts that he performed in private. Someone among them (among his Companions) said: I will not marry women; someone among them said: I will not eat meat; and someone among them said: I will not lie down in bed. He (the Holy Prophet) praised Allah and glorified Him, and said: “What has happened to these people that they say so and so, whereas I observe prayer and sleep too; I observe fast and suspend observing them; I marry women also? And he who turns away from my Sunnah, he has no relation with Me.” ّ ‫هلَكَ المتَن‬ )‫َطعُون (قالها ثالثًا‬ The Prophet (pbuh) said, "Ruined are those who insist on hardship in matters of the Faith." He repeated this three times 8 University of Sharjah Faculty of Shari’ah and Islamic Studies ُ ْ‫س ِط فَت َ ْقعُ َد َملُوما َمح‬ ،‫سورا‬ ْ َ‫س ْط َها ُك َّل ا ْلب‬ ُ ‫َوَل تَجْ عَ ْل يَدَكَ َم ْغلُولَة إِلَى‬ ُ ‫عنُ ِقكَ َوَل ت َ ْب‬ "And do not make your hand [as] chained to your neck or extend it completely and [thereby] become blamed and insolvent." (17:29) Moderation Areas Its basis in morals is Its basis in Its basis in Muslim’s the purity of legislation is creed is monotheism intention easiness Its basis in economy Its basis in social is the human’s affairs is the interest. Money is a coherent society and tool and not a goal family Moderation shall cover all areas of life. It is not logical to limit yourself to the spiritual aspects of life and neglect the physical ones, and vice versa. This led to failure to attain peace and tranquility. Michael Hart, in The 100, A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons In History' New York, 1978, said: “My choice of Muhammad to lead the list of the world‟s most influential persons may surprise some readers and may be questioned by others, but he was the only man in history who was supremely successful on both the secular and religious level.” 9 University of Sharjah Faculty of Shari’ah and Islamic Studies 4. Positiveness: ‫اْليجابية‬ Another unique aspect of Islamic culture is its positiveness. Islamic Culture requires from its followers to be positive member of society. It also highlights their aims in life, and prepares them to play positive active roles. ِ ‫س ِري ُع ا ْل ِعقَا‬ ‫ب‬ َ َ‫ت ِليَ ْبلُ َو ُك ْم فِي َما آتَا ُك ْم إِنَّ َربَّك‬ ٍ ‫ض ُك ْم فَ ْوقَ بَ ْع‬ ٍ ‫ض د ََر َجا‬ ِ ‫ف اْل َ ْر‬ َ ‫ض َو َرفَ َع بَ ْع‬ َ ِ‫َو ُه َو الَّذِي َجعَلَ ُك ْم َخالَئ‬ )165 ‫ور َّر ِحي ٌم (اْلنعام‬ ٌ ُ‫َوإِنَّهُ لَغَف‬ “And it is He Who has made you generations coming after generations, replacing each other on the earth. And He has raised you in ranks, some above others that He may try you in that which He has bestowed on you. Surely your Lord is Swift in retribution, and certainly He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful” (6:156) Yet in another verse the Qur’an mentioned: ‫ست َ ْع َم َر ُك ْم فِي َها‬ ِ ‫شأَكُم ِمنَ اْل َ ْر‬ ْ ‫ض َوا‬ َ ‫غي ُْرهُ ُه َو أَن‬ َ ‫َو ِإلَى ث َ ُمو َد أ َ َخا ُه ْم‬ َ ‫صا ِلحا قَا َل يَا قَ ْو ِم ا ْعبُدُواْ ّللاَ َما لَكُم ِم ْن ِإلَ ٍه‬ )61 ‫يب (هود‬ ٌ ‫يب ُّم ِج‬ ْ ‫فَا‬ ٌ ‫ست َ ْغ ِف ُروهُ ث ُ َّم تُوبُواْ ِإلَ ْي ِه ِإنَّ َربِي قَ ِر‬ “And to Thamûd (people, We sent) their brother Sâlih (Saleh). He said: "O my people! Worship Allâh, you have no other Ilâh( God) but Him. He brought you forth from the earth and settled you therein, then ask forgiveness of Him and turn to Him in repentance. Certainly, my Lord is near (to all by His Knowledge), Responsive.(11:61) Islamic culture encourages its followers to achieve what is the best in all aspect of life, spiritual and material. It is the very nature of the Islamic concept to encourage and urge the human being to do something positive and productive, because according to the Islamic concept man is an active agent and not a passive recipient on this earth. Man is the deputy of Allah on earth, and he has been made the deputy in order to actualize the way prescribed by Allah, which is to initiate, to build, to change, and to 10 University of Sharjah Faculty of Shari’ah and Islamic Studies make developments in the land in reliance on the natural forces that Allah has created to be of use to human beings in their work. Messenger was asked what type of earning was best and replied, “A man’s work with his hand and every business transaction which is approved.” The Prophet (pbuh) said, "If the Final Hour comes while you have a shoot of a plant in your hands and it is possible to plant it before the Hour comes, you should plant it." 5. Rationality, Realism and simplicity ‫الواقعية والمثالية‬: Islamic teachings are simple and clear, they are free from superstitions and irrational beliefs. Pillars of beliefs and acts of worship are based on reason and sound logic. Islam is a realistic religion because it does not impose requirements on an individual unless it is logical that he will be able to perform it. All the teachings of Islam flow from those basic beliefs and are simple and straight forward. For example, if someone is unable to perform prayer standing, he can do so sitting. If he is unable to perform pilgrimage due to financial inability, then he is excused from this duty till he achieves financial ability. During the month of Ramadan if someone is sick or travelling and cannot fast, he may make up for that period later on. Similarly, in the case of someone who is in dire necessity, what was forbidden in Islam is permitted for him for that period in as much as it needs to save his life without excessiveness. Islam is a religion of ease it does not accept extremism or rigidity. Allah intends every facility for you; He does not want to put you in difficulty. Allah does not impose upon any soul a duty but to the extent of its ability. Allah tasks not a soul beyond its scope. 11 University of Sharjah Faculty of Shari’ah and Islamic Studies ‫يسروا وَل تعسروا‬ The Prophet (pbuh) said: “Simplify, and not do complicate (things).” ْ ‫ّللاُ نَ ْفسا إِ ََّل ُو‬ ‫سعَ َها‬ َّ ‫ف‬ُ ‫ََل يُ َك ِل‬ “Allah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity.” (2:286) َ ‫ نَذَ َر أ َ ْن يَ ْمش‬:‫ قَالُوا‬،»‫ « َما بَا ُل َهذَا؟‬:َ‫ قَال‬،‫ش ْي ًخا يُ َهادَى بَيْنَ ا ْبنَ ْي ِه‬ ‫ «إِن‬:َ‫ قَال‬،‫ِي‬ َ ‫سل َم َرأَى‬ َ ‫علَ ْي ِه َو‬ َ ‫أَن النبِي‬ َ ُ‫صلى هللا‬ َ ‫ َوأ َ َم َرهُ أ َ ْن يَ ْر َك‬،»‫سهُ لَغَنِي‬.‫ب‬ َ ‫ب َهذَا نَ ْف‬ ِ ‫ع ْن ت َ ْعذِي‬َ َ‫َّللا‬ Prophet saw an old man being supported between his two sons. He (pbuh) said: “What is the matter with him?” They said: He had taken the vow to walk (on foot to the Ka'ba). Thereupon he (Allah's Messenger) said: “Allah is not in need of this man torturing himself.” The Prophet commanded man to have a ride.” 6. Universality(Allamiya):‫عالمية‬ Islam is not meant only for a particular group of people or a particular period of time, but it is addressed to all mankind, regardless of their social strata, races, colors, languages, cultures, and civilizations. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is the mercy for all mankind and the universe. َ ‫َو َما أ َ ْر‬ ) 107 ‫س ْل َناكَ ِإ ََّل َرحْ َمة ِل ْل َعالَ ِمينَ (اْلنبياء‬ “And We have sent you (O Muhammad SAW) not but as a mercy for the' Alamîn (mankind, jinns and all that exists)” (21:107) Prophet Muhammad’s Message is universal. He was sent for all humans, all times and all places. Other Prophets and Messengers were only sent to their nations. 12 University of Sharjah Faculty of Shari’ah and Islamic Studies ِ َّ‫اس بَشِيرا َونَذِيرا َولَ ِكنَّ أ َ ْكث َ َر الن‬ ) 28 ‫اس ََل يَ ْعلَ ُمون (سبأ‬ َ ‫َو َما أ َ ْر‬ ِ َّ‫س ْلنَاكَ إِ ََّل كَافَّة ِللن‬ “And We have not sent you (O Muhammad Saw ) except as a giver of glad tidings and a Warner to all mankind, but most of men know not.” (34:28) ) 158 ‫سو ُل ّللاِ إِلَ ْي ُك ْم َج ِميعا (اْلعراف‬ ُ َّ‫قُ ْل يَا أَيُّ َها الن‬ ُ ‫اس إِنِي َر‬ Say (O Muhammad: “O mankind! Verily, I am sent to you all as the Messenger of Allâh.” (7:158) Since Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was the last Prophet and messenger and the Quran is the final Divine Book protected by Allah from any change; his message will continue to benefit all future generations. Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) mission encompassed not only spiritual and religious teachings, but also guidance for social reforms, economics, material spiritual life, family life, legal and cultural, national and international affairs. The universality of Islamic culture invites us for tolerance, cultural dialogue, peaceful coexistence, and all values that unite humanity and bring them in closeness. 13