Culture

[PUPPET]

this is a ... good article


<b>CULTURE </b>


Culture is defined as a people's complete way of life. It consists of all the ideas, objects and ways of doing things created by the group. Culture includes beliefs, customs, language and traditions (World Book Encyclopaedia).



While there are numerous cultures and subcultures present in the world, of primary concern to us in this discussion are the two main opposing cultures in present-day society. One is the culture of Islam - the "complete way of life" set forth in the Qur'an and Sunnah. On the other opposing end is the Western culture. Both cultures present a "complete way of life." However, both ways of life differ drastically.


The difference in the two cultures stems primarily from the source of the cultures. Islamic culture - the way of life of a Muslim - is defined by the Qur'an and Sunnah. It is the culture of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). It is that way of life upon which he established the Sahaaba (R.A.) after having turned them away from the culture of jahiliyyah (ignorance).



On the other hand, Western culture is fashioned by a host of people; Capitalists, atheists, people who believe in same-gender marriages and others of a similar nature. Such people determine the decadent culture of the West.


<b>NO FLIRTATIOUS INTENT</b>


The cornerstone of Islamic culture is morality (hayaa)and simplicity. Hayaa (morality / modesty) and simplicity are both qualities of Imaan. Thus the true Islamic society upholds the highest levels of morality and maintains simplicity in every aspect. Some of the salient features of this society are:


q No free intermingling between non-mahram (those who are not forbidden to marry) males and females. The laws of Hijaab will be observed.


q Modest dressing. Clothing will truly cover the body (also loose enough to cover the shape) and have no flirtatious intent.


q Men and women will fulfil the separate roles that have been apportioned to them - the husband as breadwinner and the wife as mother and one who fulfils the household responsibilities, etc. This is the foundation to a stable Islamic family which together with other such families forms a stable Islamic community.


Contrary to this, the cornerstone of Western culture is immorality and extravagance. The "live-in" culture where a couple live like man and wife but never marry - is almost the norm. While there are numerous aspects that highlight the immorality of Western culture, perhaps the most visible and marked expression of this culture is in it's dressing. Shorter, tighter and more revealing is the rule by which the dress code keeps changing. Western clothing, instead of covering and distracting any wrongful glances, is by and large designed for flirting, attracting and arousing.


As for simplicity in Western culture, it is almost a kind of tragedy. Since the poor fellow cannot afford to indulge in anything extravagant, hence merely due to circumstances, he is forced to adopt a simple lifestyle. Fashion-slavery is part of western life. If one does not have a branded garment, it is tragic. If the real thing is not available, a fake will also do. If it is not a branded product, it is then only for the have-nots even if it is of a better quality and lesser cost.


While the above are some of the serious core differences between Islamic and Western culture, the most important aspect is the difference in the mindset of both cultures.


<b>PURPOSE OF LIFE</b>


The mindset of the Islamic culture stems from the conviction that Allah Ta'ala is our Creator and Sustainer. Hence in this short stay on earth, we are to serve Him alone in the manner taught by His beloved Rasul (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Thus the Islamic culture revolves around the firm belief that our mission in life is to establish complete Deen in ourselves and on the face of this earth. With this mindset, one will sacrifice one's wealth, energies and time as much as possible for the purpose of life. Indeed one will acquire the necessities of life as well, but Deen will be the guiding light and driving force. Deen will dictate and all else will follow. The "purpose of life" will demand - and all else will submit. As a result if one does not acquire many comforts and luxuries, it will not matter. Rather, life will be regarded as a journey wherein the traveller is not too concerned about the luxuries and comforts en-route. The traveller is focused towards his destination. Yet, as a result of one's obedience to Allah Ta'ala, one will be blessed with true peace, serenity and contentment.


<b>CHASING FUN</b>


Conversely, the mindset of Western culture is that the purpose of life is worldly enjoyment. Every comfort and luxury that can be acquired must be attained at all costs. Everything centres around entertainment, chasing fun ... and chasing more fun. There is no mission in life. No objective. Merely the pursuit of temporal pleasure permeates every cell of the mind. And yes indeed! The constant pursuit of greater comfort and luxury and continuously chasing fun demands loads of money. Thus life revolves around making money - from early morning till late at night - and having fun. If anything comes in the way of this fun, it must be removed. If looking after elderly parents "spoils the weekends and holidays" they should be dispatched to the old-age homes. If children come in the way of earning extra money to afford "the better quality of life," they can be entrusted to day-care centres where they are treated almost like mechanical objects. There is no concern for proper upbringing. In order to "enhance the quality of life" (which means making more money to have more luxuries and more fun) anything can be sacrificed - parents, children and even religion. It is an extremely hollow existence without any peace or contentment - which only stops when one is placed in the hollow of the grave!


It is thus evident that Islamic culture and Western culture are worlds apart. The problem is that when people of different cultures live together in the same community, the process of enculturation takes place where people from one culture adopt traits, customs, habits and ideas from the other culture. There is no doubt that this enculturation has occurred in our communities. Many Muslims have tragically become greatly Westernised in their mindset, in adopting a very extravagant lifestyle, in their dressing, in making life revolve mainly around chasing money and fun, etc. Deen for such people has become a "side-line."


Why has this enculturation occurred? The answer is alarming! According to social scientists, people abandon their own culture and borrow from another culture when they regard aspects of the other culture as "better" (World Book). Encyclopaedia Britannica (CD version) highlights this aspect in the following words: "To be sure, a culture trait must offer some advantage, some utility or pleasure to be sought and accepted by people." Allah forbid! Due to the weakness of Imaan and ignorance, the Sunnah culture is being abandoned by Muslims for some Western way which they regard as "better" or as having more pleasure and advantage than the Islamic culture! This is no different to a child who gives away a priceless diamond in exchange for an insignificant shiny stone. He has no idea of the value of the gems he is abandoning and is duped by the shine on the stone.


<b>"FOOLS"</b>


Western culture is being glorified and vigorously promoted by the media as the culture. The media message simply is: "If you are not following the Western trend, you are old fashioned, backward and maybe dumb." However, these slogans should not make us lose our priceless gems for worthless stones, rather, poisonous pebbles. Instead we should adopt the stance of Hazrat Huzaifa bin Yamaan (R.A.). While eating in the court of the Persians, a morsel of food fell from his hand onto the floor. In emulation of the Sunnah, he picked it up to eat it. Somebody next to him cautioned him that to pick up a fallen morsel was against the culture of the Persians. He should therefore follow their way and refrain from picking up the morsel. His spontaneous response was: "Should I leave the Sunnah (culture) of my beloved Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) for these fools?"


Adopting Western culture will bring along its severe negative consequences. Some of them are:


q A materialistic society with no mission in life


q Indulgence in drugs and immorality "for fun"


q Break-down of respect for parents and elders


q Disintegration of family structures


q High divorce rate, etc.


Every effort must therefore be made to preserve the culture of the Qur'an and Sunnah. This requires adopting the company of those who are sunnah conscious, learning about the various sunnats and making an effort to bring them alive in ones home, community and the Ummah at large.


If Western trends take root, besides harming ourselves, we will also lay the foundation for the destruction of future generations. According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, "once established, culture has a life of it's own ... it flows down through time from one generation to another." It is therefore imperative that we guard against this. The only success for us in this world and the Hereafter is in upholding the way of life of the Qur'an and Sunnah. May Allah Ta'ala keep us steadfast on His Deen. Aameen.

[Curious Christian]

this is a ... good article


<b>CULTURE </b>


Culture is defined as a people's complete way of life. It consists of all the ideas, objects and ways of doing things created by the group. Culture includes beliefs, customs, language and traditions (World Book Encyclopaedia).



While there are numerous cultures and subcultures present in the world, of primary concern to us in this discussion are the two main opposing cultures in present-day society. One is the culture of Islam - the "complete way of life" set forth in the Qur'an and Sunnah. On the other opposing end is the Western culture. Both cultures present a "complete way of life." However, both ways of life differ drastically.


The difference in the two cultures stems primarily from the source of the cultures. Islamic culture - the way of life of a Muslim - is defined by the Qur'an and Sunnah. It is the culture of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). It is that way of life upon which he established the Sahaaba (R.A.) after having turned them away from the culture of jahiliyyah (ignorance).



On the other hand, Western culture is fashioned by a host of people; Capitalists, atheists, people who believe in same-gender marriages and others of a similar nature. Such people determine the decadent culture of the West.


<b>NO FLIRTATIOUS INTENT</b>


The cornerstone of Islamic culture is morality (hayaa)and simplicity. Hayaa (morality / modesty) and simplicity are both qualities of Imaan. Thus the true Islamic society upholds the highest levels of morality and maintains simplicity in every aspect. Some of the salient features of this society are:


q No free intermingling between non-mahram (those who are not forbidden to marry) males and females. The laws of Hijaab will be observed.


q Modest dressing. Clothing will truly cover the body (also loose enough to cover the shape) and have no flirtatious intent.


q Men and women will fulfil the separate roles that have been apportioned to them - the husband as breadwinner and the wife as mother and one who fulfils the household responsibilities, etc. This is the foundation to a stable Islamic family which together with other such families forms a stable Islamic community.


Contrary to this, the cornerstone of Western culture is immorality and extravagance. The "live-in" culture where a couple live like man and wife but never marry - is almost the norm. While there are numerous aspects that highlight the immorality of Western culture, perhaps the most visible and marked expression of this culture is in it's dressing. Shorter, tighter and more revealing is the rule by which the dress code keeps changing. Western clothing, instead of covering and distracting any wrongful glances, is by and large designed for flirting, attracting and arousing.


As for simplicity in Western culture, it is almost a kind of tragedy. Since the poor fellow cannot afford to indulge in anything extravagant, hence merely due to circumstances, he is forced to adopt a simple lifestyle. Fashion-slavery is part of western life. If one does not have a branded garment, it is tragic. If the real thing is not available, a fake will also do. If it is not a branded product, it is then only for the have-nots even if it is of a better quality and lesser cost.


While the above are some of the serious core differences between Islamic and Western culture, the most important aspect is the difference in the mindset of both cultures.


<b>PURPOSE OF LIFE</b>


The mindset of the Islamic culture stems from the conviction that Allah Ta'ala is our Creator and Sustainer. Hence in this short stay on earth, we are to serve Him alone in the manner taught by His beloved Rasul (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Thus the Islamic culture revolves around the firm belief that our mission in life is to establish complete Deen in ourselves and on the face of this earth. With this mindset, one will sacrifice one's wealth, energies and time as much as possible for the purpose of life. Indeed one will acquire the necessities of life as well, but Deen will be the guiding light and driving force. Deen will dictate and all else will follow. The "purpose of life" will demand - and all else will submit. As a result if one does not acquire many comforts and luxuries, it will not matter. Rather, life will be regarded as a journey wherein the traveller is not too concerned about the luxuries and comforts en-route. The traveller is focused towards his destination. Yet, as a result of one's obedience to Allah Ta'ala, one will be blessed with true peace, serenity and contentment.


<b>CHASING FUN</b>


Conversely, the mindset of Western culture is that the purpose of life is worldly enjoyment. Every comfort and luxury that can be acquired must be attained at all costs. Everything centres around entertainment, chasing fun ... and chasing more fun. There is no mission in life. No objective. Merely the pursuit of temporal pleasure permeates every cell of the mind. And yes indeed! The constant pursuit of greater comfort and luxury and continuously chasing fun demands loads of money. Thus life revolves around making money - from early morning till late at night - and having fun. If anything comes in the way of this fun, it must be removed. If looking after elderly parents "spoils the weekends and holidays" they should be dispatched to the old-age homes. If children come in the way of earning extra money to afford "the better quality of life," they can be entrusted to day-care centres where they are treated almost like mechanical objects. There is no concern for proper upbringing. In order to "enhance the quality of life" (which means making more money to have more luxuries and more fun) anything can be sacrificed - parents, children and even religion. It is an extremely hollow existence without any peace or contentment - which only stops when one is placed in the hollow of the grave!


It is thus evident that Islamic culture and Western culture are worlds apart. The problem is that when people of different cultures live together in the same community, the process of enculturation takes place where people from one culture adopt traits, customs, habits and ideas from the other culture. There is no doubt that this enculturation has occurred in our communities. Many Muslims have tragically become greatly Westernised in their mindset, in adopting a very extravagant lifestyle, in their dressing, in making life revolve mainly around chasing money and fun, etc. Deen for such people has become a "side-line."


Why has this enculturation occurred? The answer is alarming! According to social scientists, people abandon their own culture and borrow from another culture when they regard aspects of the other culture as "better" (World Book). Encyclopaedia Britannica (CD version) highlights this aspect in the following words: "To be sure, a culture trait must offer some advantage, some utility or pleasure to be sought and accepted by people." Allah forbid! Due to the weakness of Imaan and ignorance, the Sunnah culture is being abandoned by Muslims for some Western way which they regard as "better" or as having more pleasure and advantage than the Islamic culture! This is no different to a child who gives away a priceless diamond in exchange for an insignificant shiny stone. He has no idea of the value of the gems he is abandoning and is duped by the shine on the stone.


<b>"FOOLS"</b>


Western culture is being glorified and vigorously promoted by the media as the culture. The media message simply is: "If you are not following the Western trend, you are old fashioned, backward and maybe dumb." However, these slogans should not make us lose our priceless gems for worthless stones, rather, poisonous pebbles. Instead we should adopt the stance of Hazrat Huzaifa bin Yamaan (R.A.). While eating in the court of the Persians, a morsel of food fell from his hand onto the floor. In emulation of the Sunnah, he picked it up to eat it. Somebody next to him cautioned him that to pick up a fallen morsel was against the culture of the Persians. He should therefore follow their way and refrain from picking up the morsel. His spontaneous response was: "Should I leave the Sunnah (culture) of my beloved Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) for these fools?"


Adopting Western culture will bring along its severe negative consequences. Some of them are:


q A materialistic society with no mission in life


q Indulgence in drugs and immorality "for fun"


q Break-down of respect for parents and elders


q Disintegration of family structures


q High divorce rate, etc.


Every effort must therefore be made to preserve the culture of the Qur'an and Sunnah. This requires adopting the company of those who are sunnah conscious, learning about the various sunnats and making an effort to bring them alive in ones home, community and the Ummah at large.


If Western trends take root, besides harming ourselves, we will also lay the foundation for the destruction of future generations. According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, "once established, culture has a life of it's own ... it flows down through time from one generation to another." It is therefore imperative that we guard against this. The only success for us in this world and the Hereafter is in upholding the way of life of the Qur'an and Sunnah. May Allah Ta'ala keep us steadfast on His Deen. Aameen.

We in the west definately have our problems...I agree that the US is decadent. I, and many of my countrymen don't agree with it. Keep in mind that all you see is Hollywood...which isn't how most Americans live.


I am, and most Christians, are very conservative. I don't condone sexual immorality.


Was the Taliban culture in Afganistan better??? The police state where thousands were murdered for non-conformity??? The police state where women weren't allowed to work and as a result starved to death???


You clearly only have one view of the "west". You watch movies out of Hollywood and think that all Americans are as you see in fictional representations.


Well...we have our problems and the things that you hate about the west I also hate. My culture is nothing like what you see on TV.

[arclight]

this is a ... good article

No, it would be the funniest thing I've read in a while, if it wasn't for the fact that you genuinely believe it.


Point by point:


1) A materialistic society with no mission in life: My single most important thing in my life is my nephew and niece. I'm god-father to both, a something that I take quite seriously. To see that they learn right from wrong, not to judge someone by the colour of their skin, or where they come from.


2) Drugs : Never touched them, not even seen any. I honestly don't even know anyone who has taken drugs (well, aside from someone with MS, who has used cannabis extract). I don't even smoke. Just one question though, I would hazard a guess that all those poppy fields in Afghanistan and Pakistan aren't just there to make the place look pretty. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4687996.stm


3) Break-down of respect for parents and elders: Total bull. I owe everything to my parents, and if at the end of my years I can honestly say I've been half the man my father is, then I will know I've done well. "If looking after elderly parents "spoils the weekends and holidays"" I'll be sure to point that out my parents at the weekend, when the whole family is round having tea. Oh and we're also off on holiday this year ( /me adds up), lets see, that would be 14 of us. I'm glad you told me family life was disintigrated, otherwise I wouldn't have realised.


4) Divorce: I can hand on heart say that only one person in my family has been divorced, and that was due to her husband being to handy with his fists which, as far as I can tell from this MB, is also a valid reason for divorce in Islam.


You've taken every negative aspect of society, rolled it all together, and said this is the west. TBH I'm amazed you didn't call us all paedophiles as well.

[PUPPET]

I have offended you . I apologize.


Not once is any religon's name taken it this write, and not intened to allude to any other beliefs.


The write is directed to Muslims , that have treated down the path of a culture of aimlessness, plagued by the illusion of false lifestyles.

[Curious Christian]

I have offended you . I apologize.


Not once is any religon's name taken it this write, and not intened to allude to any other beliefs.


The write is directed to Muslims , that have treated down the path of a culture of aimlessness, plagued by the illusion of false lifestyles.

I understand your desire for you community to reject those things which you find objectionable...I reject those things too and want the same for my community.

[Faris_Mee]

You've taken every negative aspect of society, rolled it all together, and said this is the west. TBH I'm amazed you didn't call us all paedophiles as well.

Hang on...


We know your spiritual advisers are into up to their armpits...


and Michael Jackson...


but all of you?

[Curious Christian]

Hang on...


We know your spiritual advisers are into up to their armpits...


and Michael Jackson...


but all of you?

Not my spiritual leaders...I could pull some examples of Muslims behaving badly and then prescribe those attributes to all followers of Islam...then I'd be like Faris Mee!


I only mean to offend Faris Mee...In the short time that I've been around on this board he has shown himself to be...well....

[Faris_Mee]

Not my spiritual leaders...I could pull some examples of Muslims behaving badly and then prescribe those attributes to all followers of Islam...then I'd be like Faris Mee!


I only mean to offend Faris Mee...In the short time that I've been around on this board he has shown himself to be...well....

Whoa! Hold on there dude!


Followers? Whose talkin' about followers. Perhaps I chose the wrong words. How about "Spiritual Leaders" or "up-standing icons in the community".


We're not debating about the average "Jo" or "Mo" in the street. Where talking about "God's Representatives" on earth. The Preists and Preachers of Christianity.


<b> " Phedophilia is an example of behaving badly"?
</b>


We're talking about "CHILD-SEX" for cryin' out loud. Not about chewin' food with ya mouth open or putting your elbows on the table or sneezin' and coughin' without putting your hand over your mouth.


This is the lives of innocent children we're talkin' about. Ooops, innocent children. Sorry. Forgot. Please abort this last statement.

[Curious Christian]

Whoa! Hold on there dude!


Followers? Whose talkin' about followers. Perhaps I chose the wrong words. How about "Spiritual Leaders" or "up-standing icons in the community".


We're not debating about the average "Jo" or "Mo" in the street. Where talking about "God's Representatives" on earth. The Preists and Preachers of Christianity.


<b> " Phedophilia is an example of behaving badly"?
</b>


We're talking about "CHILD-SEX" for cryin' out loud. Not about chewin' food with ya mouth open or putting your elbows on the table or sneezin' and coughin' without putting your hand over your mouth.


This is the lives of innocent children we're talkin' about. Ooops, innocent children. Sorry. Forgot. Please abort this last statement.

There are definately evil men in the catholic church. Sin corrupts the heart of all and people are only saved from it through grace. I guess there has never been a case of such a crime amoung muslims???

[arclight]

Where talking about "God's Representatives" on earth. The Preists and Preachers of Christianity.

Actually we're talking about Catholic, not Christian. The whole situation has been made worse by the fact that Catholic Church has never done anything about kiddy fiddlers in their ranks. When theres a hint of trouble, they cover it up, and move the offender sideways. This was a lot easier in the past, as media coverage didn't extend as far as it does now, and any child, or their parents, making an accusation where easily hushed up.


TBH I haven't worked out whether they where they where inclined towards children before they became priests, or if celibacy has had a bad effect on them.