The Muslim religion is based on the teachings of the Quran and hadith. Islam prohibits consuming pork, drinking alcohol and mind-altering drugs. It also prohibits lying, stealing and sex outside of marriage.
Islamic studies scholars explore the religious, political and philosophical aspects of this global faith. They also study the impact of Islam on the development of philosophy and science.
Symbolism
Symbols are an integral part of Islamic culture. They convey a message or an idea without having to depict something physical. For example, the ka’aba or house of God in Mecca is represented by a cube; a stylized mushaf is a book of the Quran that symbolizes faith and knowledge; a kalam or quill pen represents learning and is often used to illustrate the importance of the study of Islam. The rainbow is a natural symbol that combines human and cosmological dualisms (water and sky, hot and cold) and is an excellent representation of spring and rebirth. Moreover, giving zakat is one of the charity-driven obligations of Muslims to which you can also contribute.
It’s difficult to categorize Islamic art because it spans several continents and centuries of history. One way is to look at different eras and the rulers that controlled the region, known as the caliphates or dynasties. But this method does not give you a full picture of the art and architecture produced at that time.
One of the most significant aspects of Muslim culture is their view of the universe and humanity as part of a universal community. They see God as the supreme being that reaches out to all humankind. They also believe that divine law governs all sectors of life, including business and science. In addition, they promote universalism and interfaith understanding. These ideals can be seen in their contributions to literature, art, philosophy and science. As a result, the Muslim world has become an important bridge between different cultures.
Values
Islam is one of the world’s largest religions, with more than 1.8 billion adherents worldwide. It is a monotheistic faith that worships Allah, and it also reveres material in the Judeo-Christian Bible and some of the teachings of Jesus. Muslims are asked to live by Islamic principles of justice, morality and family values. They believe in a Day of Judgment and a life after death. They follow the Quran and Hadith, and they are obligated to perform religious duties. Among these, the shahada, the declaration of faith that “There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger,” is an important part.
The Muslim legal system known as Sharia Law governs nearly every aspect of life for Muslims. It outlines how men and women should dress, how to conduct marriages and the punishments for crimes. For example, stealing can result in amputating the hand and adultery may lead to stoning.
Some Islamic leaders are committed to globalization, while others argue for the severance of Islamic nations from Western influences. Still, the development of new electronic pathways has opened up the possibility for Islamic culture to interact with Western cultures in ways that were previously impossible. This has created the potential for the creation of hybrids between two radically different “cultural ecologies.” (Habermas, 1994). The success of these interactions depends on how well Islamic and Western values can be combined.
Language
Islam eschews barriers based on race, clan or tribe and promotes global unity. It encourages the study of all cultures and civilizations. To Muslim scholars, the world’s knowledge is a gift from God that must be shared with the entire community.
The main sacred text of Islamic religion is the Quran, though Muslims also revere some material from the Judeo-Christian Bible and the Hadith, or reports on Muhammad’s actions. The central idea of Islam is jihad, or “struggle.” While this generally refers to internal struggles to live according to Islamic rules, it can also include efforts to defend the faith from external attacks.
Islamic culture is rich in literature, music and art. Many of the works of art created by Islamic artists are influenced by the geometric shapes, repetitive patterns and symmetry of Arabic design. The musical traditions of Islamic culture range from simple folk songs to sophisticated classical orchestral pieces. The theatre of Islamic culture includes the Indonesian wayang, a style that narrates legends and epics involving heroes, villains, gods and angels.
The use of language is a central aspect of Islamic culture. Many new Islamic chaplains are successfully conveying the teachings of Islam in simplified English words and phrases. However, many Muslims still hold a negative image of English as a symbol of colonialism and Christianity. As one Muslim, Faiz, points out, “Arabic is the holy language of Allah, but in this age there are more and more misunderstandings of its meaning through misinterpretations and interpretations.” In his congregation, he feels that Norwegian should be used as a lingua franca to bridge the gap between different linguistic and ethnic communities.
Food
Muslim cultural values are influenced by religion, politics and economics. This can influence the types of foods consumed, cooking techniques and etiquette. In many Islamic cultures, eating is a social activity that reinforces family values and gratitude to God. Muslims also place a high emphasis on the purity of food and drink. This is reflected in their adherence to strict dietary laws known as halal.
For example, Muslims may not eat pork products or animal shortening. They are expected to wash their hands before and after eating, refrain from touching meat and dairy with their left hand and avoid using utensils that have come into contact with dairy or pork products when preparing food for others. Muslims are also required to perform wudu, or ritual washing, before eating and are encouraged to practice a mindful eating ritual that involves taking three small sips of water and pause to swallow each one.
The halal food system has been a source of controversy among Muslims. Some believe that the tayyib-halal approach is overly restrictive and imposes unnecessary restrictions on the religion’s core egalitarian teachings. Others argue that meat was among the Prophet Muhammad’s most preferred foods and the Quranic command to eat from “the good things” certainly includes meat.
In the field of culinary studies, Muslim cuisines have become a focus of attention in recent years. A number of general works provide a comprehensive overview of the topic while others focus on specific aspects of the Muslim world including cooking and the kitchen, food on special occasions, and diet and health.
Clothing
Islamic culture encompasses the cultural practices of people who identify as Muslim. It includes everything from traditional dress and cuisine to the arts, especially music and dance. Its development was facilitated by Islam’s acceptance of people from multiple ethnic and religious backgrounds. The religion also encouraged a sense of universal brotherhood and sisterhood, enabling people from all around the world to live together under one umbrella of faith.
The spread of Islamic culture was accelerated by missionaries and political expansion, but it also occurred through trade. Caravans were able to carry Muslims, merchants, and other travelers across vast territories with ease thanks to advanced road networks. These caravans enabled Muslim culture to travel beyond the borders of the Abbasid empire, influencing civilizations in Africa, Asia, and even Europe.
After the fall of the Abbasid empire, other Islamic political and religious institutions emerged. The new structures were less centralized, and they favored local leaders who could better manage their regions. This allowed the Fatimid and Berber dynasties to expand into sub-Saharan Africa, while the Ghaznavid and Seljuk empires extended to India.
As these new structures developed, they began to define their own Islamic cultures. The most important developments came in the areas of science and medicine, where the Islamic scholars distinguished between true science and pseudo-science. They were strong rationalists, and as a result, they were not very enthusiastic about astrology, alchemy, or talismans.
Religion
Islam is a monotheistic religion based on the Quran and the teachings of Muhammad. Muslims are the world’s second largest religious group. It is an international religion that seeks to unite the world under one banner, casting off divisions rooted in color, clan, territory or race.
ING has been delivering Islamic presentations for more than two decades. Many of the questions we’ve heard focus on creed—the six major beliefs outlined below.
The primary goal of Islam is to create an earthly paradise, but it also teaches that mankind’s place in the world is primarily a spiritual one. Its teachings strive for an equilibrium between the material and the spiritual, arguing that man was created only to establish a just order that will bring peace to his world.
Muslims believe in the Prophet Muhammad as the final prophet and consider his teachings to be the absolute truth. They believe that God, referred to as Allah in the Islamic tradition, gave the prophets their specific teachings.
The main holy texts of Islam are the Quran and the Hadiths, or sayings of the prophet. The Quran contains little specific detail about the life of Muhammad, while Hadiths offer more information. Muslims also revere the writings of other biblical prophets, including Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Moses and Jesus. They also believe in a Day of Judgment and in life after death.