Islamic Culture

Outline: Definition - salient features – development of the whole race - practical religion – rational - a complete social system - conclusion.

Culture means the cultivation and development of human mind. Islamic Culture differs from other Cultures. The aim of other cultures is to cultivate the mind of an individual or some group. Islamic Culture is the kind of Culture prescribed by Islam. It aims at nothing less than the success of mankind as a whole. The origin of Islamic Culture lies in the Holy Quran.

Islamic Culture is very different form other cultures in many ways. The salient features of Islamic Culture are four. Firstly, Islamic Culture is universal in its aim and object. It does not aim at the progress of an individual or a group of individual. Its objective is the development of the whole race intellectually, spiritually, socially and economically. It provides the guidance in both the worlds, material and spiritual.

Secondly, it is a practical religion. The teachings of Islam are practicable. Islam means to surrender to the will of God. It teaches and preaches to us in practical, material, social and spiritual life. Islamic Culture has no place for those who only believe and do not act.

Thirdly, Islamic Culture is rational. It appeals to men to use their reason. It does not prohibit its believers to shun the learning of worldly education. It does not maintain any distinction between the religious education and secular education. In glorious days of Islam, the Muslims learned science subjects side by side with Quran, Hadith and Fiqha.

Fourthly, Islam gives a complete political and social system as alternative to other systems. It promotes brotherhood and equality. There is no priesthood in Islam. Every Muslim man and woman has been urged to learn knowledge. It promises peace and stability in the whdle world.

The Muslims are backward today because they do not follow the principles of Islam, in true spirit. They regain their lost status in the world by following the tenets of Islam. Now they must awake and act upon the principles of Islam.