Culture & Religion

In approaching the rational behind culture and religion, we’ve got first
to make a clear distinction between both vast conceptual blocks, though it is
not advisable for a truth seeker to opt for such separation, mainly if the issue
is about a matter pertains to human phenomenon in both physics and
metaphysics.
If by religion we mean Islam as it is defined by Allah in the Koran,
then one has to bear in mind some basic facts: first, Islam is the essence of
human nature; every human being is born Muslim, but he/she is exposed to
any change under the influence of Culture. Second, Islam is holistic and
comprehensive in nature; it is not meant for a specific group, race, ethnicity,
or targeted minority, nor is it meant to manage human affairs in specific
limited areas, but it is rather meant to guide the whole humanity in its total
affairs, be they public or private, social or individual, economic or political,
at present or in the hereafter. This idea of comprehensiveness necessitates a
comprehensive approach to understanding Islam. It therefore refutes any
harsh distinction between the different faculties of Islamic Ashariaa which
includes Islamic belief, Islamic law in its social, economic, and political
dimension, and Islamic ethics and behaviour. The idea behind the so-called
“the political Islam” is therefore unacceptable for it does approach the truth
of Islam as a part; whereas, Islam is not a part of a whole. Islam is a whole
in itself.
In regard to these truth conditions, Islam must affect human Culture at
both levels of existence: at the concrete level such as people’s food and
drink, their dress, their behaviour, their financial treatments and means of
acquiring money…, and at the abstract level such as their beliefs, values,
thought and ways of approaching truth, be it in or out of time and space... It
is at this point that we’ve got to comprehend the reason why Islamic Law
takes people’s norms and ways of living into account as long as they don’t
conflict with the basic faculties of Islamic Ashariaa.
To conclude, Culture may be a part of Religion, yet Religion has never
been a part of Culture. Culture is an earthly human production, but Religion
is a heavenly divine revelation. Culture is relative in essence, yet religion is
absolute in nature.

BY:
OULGOU ABDELOUAHED
wahidolg@hotmail.com
www.freewebs.com/wahidolg
Phone:+212052079168