Introduction to Islamic Culture and Thought: A Comprehensive Overview

Posted on Sep 11, 2024 in Religion

Islamic Culture

Chapter One: Introduction to Islamic Culture and Thought

What are the Possible Meanings of the Word “Thought”?

  • The process of thinking
  • Serious consideration
  • Reasoning power (power of thinking)
  • The power to imagine
  • Idea
  • Opinion

Possible Meanings of the Word “Culture”

  • The growing of a particular crop
  • The act of developing by education and training
  • Refinement of intellectual artistic taste
  • A particular form or stage of civilization

Meanings of the Word “Thaqafah”

  • To learn quickly, an intelligent person, understanding, and so on.
  • The maintenance of things, to purify, correct and polish.
  • To find, see and meet.
  • To encounter and ultimately win.

The Difference Between “Culture,” “Thought,” and Other Synonymous Related Terms

Knowledge

The word knowledge here means information gained by learning, reading, thinking, or even experience. Knowledge is retained in the mind.

Science

It is a general word that incorporates other meanings like knowledge and culture. We should not forget that scientific matters are not all yet at the same stage of validity or truth; some of them are still under experimental scrutiny. If scientific matters and innovations affect a person’s behavior, then this becomes a kind of culture.

Modernity

Modernity depends completely on science and material matters. It is the use of material in everyday life, without carefully examining the positive and negative aspects or consequences. If modernity is utilized properly, then it is positive modernity; otherwise, it is negative.

Civilization

Civilization depends on two important pillars: positive culture and positive modernity – which make science and material serve humankind in this life and lead to real happiness, security, and stability.

The Islamic Attitude Towards Science

There are, in fact, many Quranic verses and many accounts (sayings) by the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) that show the importance of, need for, and respect for science.

  1. There is a direct encouragement for people to seek knowledge of science; Allah says: “Are those who know equal to those who don’t know? Nay, but those who possess intellect are admonished” (39:9), and the Prophet (p.b.u.h) said, “It is a duty upon every Muslim to be educated.”
  2. There is direct commendation of science and people of knowledge; there are several Quranic verses that talk about intellectual, knowledgeable, and educated people.
  3. The first revelation to the Prophet spoke about reading, teaching, and writing. Allah says: “Read with the help of your Lord’s name, … who with the pen taught man what he had not known.”

  4. The Quran includes many verses that speak about scientific matters. Many such matters were only recently proven. The striking congruence between the Quranic verse and the ‘Big Bang‘ is inescapable! How could a book, which first appeared in the deserts of Arabia 1400 years ago, contain this profound scientific truth? “Do not the unbelievers see that the heavens and the earth were joined together (as one Unit of Creation), before We clove them asunder?” [21:30]

    Honey Has Healing Properties

    The bee assimilates juices of various kinds of flowers and fruit and forms within its body the honey, which it stores in cells of wax. Only a couple of centuries ago, man came to know that honey comes from the belly of the bee. This fact was mentioned in the Quran 1400 years ago in the following verse: “There issues from within their bodies a drink of varying colors, wherein is healing for men.” [16:69] We are now aware that honey has healing properties and also mild antiseptic properties. Russians used honey to cover their wounds in World War II. Due to the density of honey, no fungus or bacteria would grow in the wound. Honey is rich in fructose and vitamin K.

  5. Islam makes it a duty upon the whole community to have sufficient specialists in every field of knowledge; otherwise, the community is blameworthy. Thus, Islam is quite serious about this matter.

Possible Contradictions Between Scientific and Religious Matters

  1. A definite scientific matter and an indefinite religious one
  2. A definite religious matter and an indefinite scientific matter
  3. Both scientific and religious matters are indefinite

What is a Definite Religious Matter?

A definite religious matter is one that meets two conditions:

  1. There is no break in its chain of authentication.
  2. It is clear in its meaning.

The Islamic Attitudes Towards Other Cultures and Civilizations

  • A Muslim must be sure about his/her religion and never hesitate to deal and interact with people from different cultures.
  • A Muslim should call others to what he/she believes is true.
  • A Muslim needs to exchange ideas with others to benefit himself/herself and others.
  • A Muslim should search for wisdom and adopt it wherever he/she finds it. Accordingly, it is entirely lawful to deal with other cultures. It is a duty upon the Muslim community to convey Islamic values to others.
  • Muslims must not allow the bad matters of others to affect them; as for the good ones, they are lawful.

The Importance of Islamic Culture and Thought

The following points are fundamental to Islamic culture and thought:

  1. The establishment of the main and most essential information about Islam
  2. The formation of the Muslim identity
  3. Knowing the real position of Islam in the minds of other people, and how they perceive it, so that Muslims can deal with them according to their views
  4. Having a general idea concerning the accusations raised against Islam, and how to refute them all
  5. Building confidence between Muslims and their religion, history, and heritage
  6. Revival of Muslim unity in all societies and countries
  7. Protecting the Muslim Ummah from dissolution into other cultures

Important Definitions

  1. Islamic Thought: Islamic thought is the production of thoughts and ideas that depend on the Islamic view of existence and coincide with Islamic aims, conditions, and morals.
  2. Cultured Person: A cultured person has efficient and sufficient information about everything, or at least about most things.
  3. Islam: Islam means submission or surrender of one’s will to the only true Allah worthy of worship.