At a time, when agnostic west society is revolting against the centuries-old God-centric-society, when Morality and Ethics are being challenged; the age-old institution of marriage is collapsing; instead, Booze, Bets and a Hyper-Sexualized culture is being promoted.

There, Islamic Culture offers an alternate way of life that is based on timeless values that are enduring and as well as essential for human well-being and the importance of those values cannot be overstated.

 From the beautiful art, clothing and architectural wonders of world to the delicious cuisine and essential moral values that guide the 1.8 billion community, Islamic culture is so much rich, diverse, fascinating and vibrant part of our world. It is deeply rooted in our history and has so much to offer. It is a culture that has been shaped by teachings of Islam and centuries of history and is constantly evolving.

 Whether you are a Muslim or not, there is much to learn and appreciate about this wonderful culture. the influence of Islamic culture can be seen across the globe.

Let’s take a closer look at what makes Muslim culture so fascinating and unique?

The Enduring Core Values in Islamic Culture

Islam is a religion that has a rich history and a unique culture. Islam is not just a set of beliefs, but a way of life. Islamic culture all around the world has been shaped by the values of ‘ubudiyyah, which implies that the whole society is cantered on Belief in one God and a servant-Lord relationship. This value has been the only criterion of validity of all human thought and action to get TAQWA (state of attitude of being conscious about one’s actions which in turn leads one to refrain from actions that are not desirable in the sight of The Creator).

According to various studies, the four most common causes of divorce and failure of ‘𝙄𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙩𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙜𝙚’ are 𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙤𝙛 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩, 𝙞𝙣𝙛𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮 or 𝙚𝙭𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝙖𝙛𝙛𝙖𝙞𝙧𝙨, 𝙩𝙤𝙤 𝙢𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙛𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙧𝙜𝙪𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙤𝙛 𝙋𝙤𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙋𝙚𝙚𝙧 P𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙚 in Society.  

1. Hifẓ-i furuj

To safeguard the ‘Institution of Marriage’ and innocent childhood, Islamic culture upholds the following heavenly values. One being the most significant of all the values of Islamic culture is 𝙃ifẓ-i furuj (Guarding the Private Parts), which means the preservation of modesty.

The shari‘ah does not allow Muslims to sexually gratify themselves from any other individual but their wives. The Almighty has forbidden it, and categorically stated in Surah Mu’minun that people who sexually gratify themselves from anyone other than their wives will be guilty of exceeding the limits set by God. Muslim society places a high value on modesty, and men and women are not allowed to openly enter into sexual relations or reveal their bodies. This value is still relevant today, as modesty is still an important aspect of Muslim life.

Islamic Morality Considers Guarding the Private Parts the Pinnacle of Morality

Men and women who are Muslims, and true believers, serve God diligently, and are sincere, patient, and they humble themselves before God, they spend in charity, and they fast and guard their private parts and remember God in abundance – on them God will bestow forgiveness and has prepared for them a great reward. (33:35)

إِنَّ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَالْمُسْلِمَاتِ وَالْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ وَالْقَانِتِينَ وَالْقَانِتَاتِ وَالصَّادِقِينَ وَالصَّادِقَاتِ وَالصَّابِرِينَ وَالصَّابِرَاتِ وَالْخَاشِعِينَ وَالْخَاشِعَاتِ وَالْمُتَصَدِّقِينَ وَالْمُتَصَدِّقَاتِ وَالصَّائِمِينَ وَالصَّائِمَاتِ وَالْحَافِظِينَ فُرُوجَهُمْ وَالْحَافِظَاتِ وَالذَّاكِرِينَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا وَالذَّاكِرَاتِ أَعَدَّ اللَّهُ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةً وَأَجْرًا عَظِيمًا (35:33)

When a person reaches the pinnacle of morality with regard to his Creator and his fellow human beings, the qualities which emerge in him are stated in this verse. Thus, it ends with the statement that God’s mercy awaits these noble souls and He has prepared for them a great reward.

 This is a consequence of disciplining the soul and of piety. This expression which refers to people who refrain from nudity, lewdness and vulgarity also occurs in some other verses of the Qur’an. The implication is that they guard their chastity and modesty to the utmost. Thus, except at instances they are allowed to reveal themselves, they never do so whether in private or in public. They also do not wear clothes which reveal body parts which have sexual attraction in any manner for the opposite gender. It is this extent of abstaining from vulgarity that produces the society in which chastity reigns supreme and men and women instead of trying to reveal their bodies are anxious to conceal them as much as they can.

Human nature has always regarded it to be a grave sin and a terrible crime. It is an indubitable reality that the institution of family is as essential a need for a person as the ‘air’ and ‘water’ is. This institution can only sustain on natural feelings and emotions, if the relationship between the spouses is permanent. If this aspect is missing, then a society can only consist of a herd of cattle which is devoid of natural and spiritual feelings and emotions; it cannot be established on right footings.

2. Hifẓ-i-maratib

Another value that is deeply ingrained in Islamic culture is hifẓ-i maratib, means that though all human beings are originally equal in the eyes of God, yet they are not equal in their family and social relations. The younger have to show respect to the older, the children to their parents, the students to their teachers, the wives to their husbands.

Socially, seniors are given the right to correct and censure the juniors in all social layers. The respect and honour of the elders and the seniors is always preferred over individual liberty. In an Islamic society, this value is still relevant today, as respect for elders and seniors is deemed an essential aspect in a Muslim’s life.

As, the Quran says-

وَوَصَّيْنَا الْإِنسَانَ بِوَالِدَيْهِ حَمَلَتْهُ أُمُّهُ وَهْنًا عَلَى وَهْنٍ وَفِصَالُهُ فِي عَامَيْنِ أَنِ اشْكُرْ لِي وَلِوَالِدَيْكَ إِلَيَّ الْمَصِيرُ(14:31)

We have counselled man regarding his parents. His mother bore him with much [hardships which resulted in] weakness upon weakness, and he is not weaned before he is two years of age. [We counselled him:] “Show gratitude to Me and to your parents and towards Me is the return.” (31:14)

وَاتَّقُواْ اللّهَ الَّذِي تَسَاءلُونَ بِهِ وَالأَرْحَامَ إِنَّ اللّهَ كَانَ عَلَيْكُمْ رَقِيبًا (1:4)

And fear God, in whose name you plead with one another, and beware about your relatives also. Indeed, God is Ever-Watching you. (4:1)

3. al- Amr bi al-Maruf wa’l-Nahy an al-Munkar

The third value that is central to Muslim culture is ‘amr bi al-ma‘ruf and nahy ‘an al-munkar, which means the promotion of good and the prevention of evil. Muslims are encouraged to promote all values that are in accordance with human nature and recognized as virtue and good. At the same time, all actions that are abhorred by human nature and deemed evil and bad are prohibited.

وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتُ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاء بَعْضٍ يَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ (71:9)

“And believers, both men and women, are friends to one another. They urge one another to what is good and forbid what is evil”. (9:71)

وَالْعَصْرِ إِنَّ الْإِنسَانَ لَفِي خُسْرٍ إِلَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ (103: 1 -3)

“Time bears witness that these people shall definitely be in a state of loss. Yes! except those who accepted faith and did righteous deeds and exhorted one another to the truth and exhorted one another to remain steadfast on it.” (103:1-3)

Muslim (Islamic) culture has been built upon these values and has influenced the collective body of Muslims. They have been the guiding principles for poets, litterateurs, philosophers, sages, scientists, and rulers. They have also been the foundation of the Muslim (Islamic) education system.

In conclusion, the enduring values of Muslim (Islamic) culture have shaped and guided the lives of Muslims and non-Muslims for centuries. These values are still relevant today and offer an alternative way of life that is based on timeless principles. As we navigate an ever-changing world, we can turn to these values for guidance and inspiration.