Muslim culture and traditions

As Islam spread throughout the world its culture and traditions were
influenced by Mongol, Persian, Turkic, Berber, Indian and Indonesian
cultures. The current Islamic practices and customs are the result of
amalgamation of local culture and Muslim beliefs.
Muslim Culture is embedded in certain common beliefs that there is no God
but Allah and that Muhammad is His messenger.
The Quran is considered to be the source of many aspects of Islamic culture.
Certain acts or rituals that Muslims do almost subconsciously are actually
encouraged, or allowed by Allah, or mandated, in the Quran. The standard
greeting amongst all Muslims the world over is "As-Salaamu Alaykum."
Also, when speaking of future events Muslims say Inshallah (If Allah
Wills), and say Bismillah (In the Name of Allah) before doing just about
anything.
Islam propagates the five laws that are fundamental duties to unite Muslims
in spirit. These are:
- Salah or prayer, at least five times a day.
- Shahadah or the worship of one God only.
- Zakat, or donation of alms.
- Haj, the pilgrimage to the Holy City of Mecca.
- Sawm, or fasting during Ramadan.

The Quran does not mention many practices that are prevalent in the Muslim
world today. Instead, the traditions, sayings, and stories of Prophet
Muhammad and his companions provided basis for today's traditions and
practices that are called the Hadith. Men trimming their mustache, grow
their beards, and women wearing the hijab. Using the right hand to eat with
and the left hand for the bathroom. Using a stick called miswak for cleaning
teeth and shaking hands when greeting someone. Some practices amongst
Muslims were never mentioned in either the Quran or the Hadith and were
introduced by the societies and cultures that accepted Islam. Here are some
examples: In the Middle East, while greeting men, they kiss each other on
the cheek. In Africa, after greeting someone, it is customary to put his or her
hand to your head. Whereas in Pakistan, Muslims bow down when one's
child has reached 40 days old.

Muslim Filipinos observe traditional courtship and marriage practices just

like other Filipino groups. Because marriage is considered an alliance of
families, relatives on both sides have a say on the union. Major Moro groups
expect the man to court and marry a woman who comes from the same
status of his family. Arranged marriage is mainly due to prestige and the
parents’ wish to enable their children to enjoy a better social and economic
life.

A bride-gift is an essential part of any proposed union. It is meant to

compensate the bride’s family for the loss of a woman-member and to
reimburse the cost of her upbringing. A ceremonial preparation of the child
for adulthood called pag-islam (meaning, what Islam has required) or
circumcision follows Islamic rites. It may be a simple or elaborate ceremony
done by an imam or another religious personality who performs prayers and
chants.

Today’s modern medical facilities, however, make it easier for families to

have their son’s circumcision done by a doctor at a hospital. Prayers are
done at home and the boy is taught his responsibilities as a member of the
family and the Islamic community. Islam regards an uncircumcised male
adult as infidel.

Another ceremony marking a boy’s intellectual initiation is called pag-

tammat (referring to “ending” study of the Qur’an). This is an occasion,
which is disappearing because most parents send their children to madaris
(religious schools).

Music is another important part of the culture. However, it should be noted

that there is a distinction between music for rituals, which is basically vocal
without instruments, and music for entertainment.

Kulintang (brass gongs), kagandang (war drums), ceremonial dances and

kambaioka (singers or chanters of improvised poetic compositions) are
played on various occasions. The gabbang is similar to a xylophone, while
suling and saunay are wind instruments. The biyula is a string instrument,
and the kulintangan is an ensemble of gongs and drums. The kudyapi is a
two-stringed lute plucked to make beautiful sounds. The kubing (jew’s
harp) is made of bamboo and believed to make words and tell stories, if the
audience could understand the language of music.

Moro musicality is also seen in songs and dances. For the Tausug, there are
songs called kissa which tell about the love of datus and princesses, while
heroic songs are contained in parang sibil. The Maranao kandidiagao is a
melodious lament over the dead.

Pagipat (7 days) and pangubad (3 days) are animistic rituals for healing,
while sagaian is a war dance. The most popular dance common to the
Maguindanao and Maranao is singkil which has been interpreted by dance
troupes over time.