Culture And Islam

Culture is the term used to describe the unity of a group by 'their way of life,' shared values, norms,customs and habits. This includes dress codes, marriage rites, patterns of work, festivals and ceremonies, leisure activities, eating habits and so on. When we adopt similar social attitudes and patterns of behaviour it helps create familiarity and maintain good relations with other members in the group.

However, culture is not universal. Norms and values of behaviour are extremely diverse and can vary greatly from one culture to another. They can even vary within the same culture to thus form sub-cultures. When we differ in opinion from what is considered 'normal,' 'acceptable' or 'correct' standards of behaviour we become opposed and divided from one another. This is why man requires universal guidance that is infallible and remains consistent over time, rather than one that is often open to debate or subject to change.

Islam is revealed by Allah (swt) to correct and perfect the noble qualities of character and social moral guidance for all of mankind and is far superior to other religions and man-made theories and ideologies. It provides a universal 'way of life', which unites all believing men and women from every nation, worldwide. The whole essence of Islam is based upon peace and harmony and instils the idea of a shared socialisation rather than selifish individualism. Each individual is a member of the wider community and shares responsibility for the spiritual and socio-economic welfare of its other members.

Allah (swt) revealed His guidance for the benefit of society as a whole, yet many people still prefer to fllow the ways of their family ancestors. Many Muslims place more importance on culture than Islam and pride themselves on ancestry and family tradition. Muslims who blindly follow the ways of their cultural forefathers are in danger of committing shirk (associating others in worship with Allah). This is becaues the prefer to fulfill cultural expectations to please their own family members rather than fulfill Islamic obligations to gain the Pleasure of Allah (swt).

There are many hidden dangers in giving preference to culture over Islam. Muslims may begin to rely more upon innovations (bid'ah) than authentic Islamic knowledge and break away from the main body of Islam. They are then more likely to invent their own peculiar ways of practising or expressing faith. The Prophet (saw) warned that the Muslims will devide into seventy-three sects, but only one will enter the Garden. This group is the one who follows the Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (saw). It is therefore important for us to unite together on this rightly guided path and invite other Muslim women [and men] to do the same:

The Jews and the Christians divided into seventy-one or seventy-two sects, and this nation will divide itself into seventy-three sects- all in the Fire, except one, and that one is the one which I and my companions are on today (i.e. following the Qur'an and the Sunnah- Practice of the Prophe saw). (Abu Hurairah (ra) in Abu Dawud. Vol.III, p1291, No.4579 up to the words "seventh-three sects", and the secont half 'Abdullah ibn 'Amr (ra) in at-Tirmidhi, 0171. Also Ibn Majah)