Islamic Civilization

Introduction

What is the criterion for Islamity in Islamic civilization? Does Islamic identity of
civilization arise from the faith (iman) or practice (Islam)? Should the practice and
external behaviours be deemed as a measure, this may lead to hypocrisy and
insincerity in civilization. Conversely, if faith and internal factors are seen as
standards for Islamic identity that could result. There are over a billion Muslims
throughout the world, and though they speak hundreds of different languages and
live in dozens of different countries, they still share a common Muslim culture .
 History

The history of Islam concerns the political, social, economic and cultural
developments of Islamic civilization. Islam originated in Mecca and
Medina at the start of the 7th century CE. According to tradition, in 610
CE, the Islamic Prophet Muhammad began receiving what Muslims
consider to be divine revelations, calling for submission to the one God,
the expectation of the imminent Last Judgement, and caring for the poor
and needy.
 Basic Concept Of Islamic Culture

Muslim culture represents the unification of all the cultures influenced by

common beliefs and practices. The guiding religious phenomena and
cultural aspects bind its people historically. The religious practices and
beliefs of Muslims are centered around the religion of Islam. The original
Muslim literature is in Arabic, the Prophet's language. Most of the
literature is religious in nature. It comprises communication and
documentation of the belief system from the Quran, Sirat and Hadith.
History Of Islamic Culture: Secular Muslim literature developed in the
Umayyad empire.
 Characteristics of Islamic Culture

A people’s culture includes their beliefs, rules of behavior, language,

rituals, art, technology, styles of dress, ways of producing and cooking
food, political and economic systems. Islam has a distinct culture. It has
varieties and a rich diversity. There are elements in Islamic culture that
are constant and that are universally accepted by all Muslims; but there
are also elements in Islamic culture that are diverse and different from
country to country and people to people. The universals are based on the
Qur’an and Sunnah while the variables are based on local customs (a‘raf
and‘adat) of various people.
 Characteristics of Islamic Culture

Some characteristics of Islamic culture are-

• God-centered or theocentric

• Egalitarian, tolerant and fraternal

• Dignifying and moralistic

• Dynamic, progressive, world affirming and not world-denying

or ascetic

• Non-exclusivist but Da`wah-oriented and optimistic

 Iman and Islam
Iman and faith is a spiritual phenomenon that occurs in the heart.
Contrary to Islam there is physical and ritual matter that appears in the
body. Based on the Islamic viewpoint, iman includes Islam, but Islam
does not essentially contain iman. Some Muslims are believers and
someone is just a Muslim not mu’min. of course, there are some verses
and narratives in the Islamic texts which declare Islam in comprehensive
term including both physical and spiritual components.

There are two meanings of Islam-

• Islam as a religion which contains both physical and spiritual sides

• Islam as a ritual and practice

 Islamic Culture

Festivals
• Eid al-Adha

Eid al-Adha This four-day festival marks the time of the Haj, or
pilgrimage to Mecca. It is considered one of the most famous Islamic
festivals.This is undoubtedly the great day of the Muslim calendar. The
festival revolves around the sacrifice of an animal that is offered to Allah,
usually a lamb or a cow. In this way, the Old Testament passage is
recreated in which God intercedes to save the life of Ishmael, son of the
prophet Abraham
 Islamic Culture

Festivals
• Hijri New Year

The Islamic equivalent of New Year’s Day and quite a low-key affair and
celebrated by Muslims every year

• Moulid an-Nabi Birth

Moulid an-Nabi Birth of the Prophet and one of the major holidays of the
year. The streets burst into color and noise with the celebrations. It is one
of the most important festivals for Muslims
 Islamic Culture

Festivals
• Ramadan
Ramadan The ninth month of the Muslim calendar when most Muslims
observe a degree of fasting and abstinence. The Iftar, or breaking of the
fast, occurs every evening when the sun sets.

• First of Muharram

Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar, and in it, it is

forbidden to fight: its name derives from haram, “forbidden”, and some
pious Muslims fast for the entire month, just as they do during Ramadan
 Islamic Culture

Festivals
• Lailat al Miraj
Lailat al Miraj (Muhammad’s ascension to heaven): On this day, we
celebrate the ascension of the prophet Muhammad to the Jannah
(heaven), helped by two angels. the celebrations begin on the sunset of
the previous day, so observing Muslims will celebrate Lailat al Miraj on
the sunset of Saturday, March 21, 2020.
• Marriage
According to Muslim culture, marriage is, in the words of Mohammed,
'half of religion'. The bonding of two souls in holy matrimony is looked
upon as a legal bond and social contract. In Islam, marriage is a legal
contract between a man and a woman. Both the groom and the bride are
to consent to the marriage of their own free wills. Ramadan
 Islamic Culture

Al- mu'allaquat

“Al- mu'allaquat” collection of seven pre-Islamic Arabic (odes), each considered to

be its author’s best piece. Since the authors themselves are among the dozen or so
most famous poets of the 6th century, the selection enjoys a unique position in
Arabic literature, representing the finest of early Arabic poetry. In the Pre-Islamic
period, one of the traditions was that of the mu'allaquat (literally "the hangings")
 Islamic Culture

Education

Great centers of religious learning were also centers of knowledge and

scientific development. Such formal centers began during the Abbasid
period (750-1258 A.D.) when thousands of mosque schools were
established. In the tenth century Baghdad had some 300 schools.
Alexandria in the fourteenth century had 12,000 students. It was in the
tenth century that the formal concept of the Madrassah (school) was
developed in Baghdad.
 Islamic Culture

Arabic Alphabet
The Arabic alphabet developed from the ancient script used for
Nabataean, a dialect of Aramaic, in a region now part of Jordan. The
Arabic alphabet has 28 letters. However, additional letters have been
added to serve the need of other languages using the Arabic script; such
as Farsi, Dari, and Urdu, and Turkish until the early part of the 20th
century. The Qur'an was revealed in Arabic.
 Islamic Culture

Art and Architecture

• Large courtyards
• Central prayer halls
• Minarets
• A wall niche indicating the direction to Mecca
• Domes
• Wans to separate sections
• Repetitive art forms
• Arabic calligraphy
• Fountains
• Bright color
 Islamic Culture

Music
Music Islamic music is mostly played in public services. Devotional
music is enjoyed by contemporary Muslims all over the world. The
common music forms include Arab classical and North Indian classical
music. The musical preferences of Muslim people have traversed the
trade routes. The Sufis are credited with taking the music of the mystics
far and wide.
 Contribution In Science

Mathematics

The theory of numbers, developed and expanded from the original Indian
contribution, resulted in the "Arabic numbers" 1 through 9. Islamic scholars
also used the concept of zero, which was a Hindu concept. Without the zero,
neither mathematics, algebra, nor cybernetics would have developed.

Physics

Ibn al-Haytham, who made great contributions to optics and physics. He had
advanced long before Newton the thesis that extraterrestrial scientific
phenomena governed the motion of the earth and stars. He also developed
experiments on light which were nothing short of extraordinary at that time
 Contribution In Science
Chemistry

The contribution of Muslims to the conception, growth and development of

Chemistry is unforgettable. It is as immense as in other branches of science.
Chemistry is one of the great parts of science study in which Muslims have
made significant contributions and they developed it to a high degree of
perfection.

Botany

The scholars of Islamic culture worked extensively in the combined fields of

botany, herbals and healing. Several scholars contributed to the knowledge of
plants, their diseases and the methods of growth. They classified plants into
those that grow from cuttings, those that grow from seed and those that grow
spontaneously
 Contribution In Science

Medical Science
The medical sciences were largely developed throughout the works of Ibn Sina
(Avicenna), al-Razzi, and Husayn bin Ishak al-Ibadi, who translated Hippocrates
and other Greeks. Razi (860-940) is reported to have written 200 books on
medicine, one of them on medical ethics, and the Hawi, a 25 volume practical
encyclopedia. Ibn Sina (980-1037) became a famed physician at 18 who wrote
16 books and the Canoun, an encyclopedia on all known diseases in the world.
Muslim Customs and Traditions
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. The term Muslim means 'submission to God'. Islam is now
recognized as the second-largest world religion.
 Contribution In Science

Shahadah
The Shahada, means "to know and believe without suspicion, as if
witnessed"/testification; it is the name of the Islamic creed. This is also called as
"Kalema-tut- Shahadat" or "Kalema". The Shahadah is the Muslim declaration of
belief in the oneness of Allahu ta'ala and acceptance of Muhammad as God's
prophet.
Salah or prayer
There are five separate daily prayers which must be performed; they are as
follows:
 
 Fajr – this is performed before sunrise
 Zohr – this is performed midday
 Asr – this is performed between Zohr and sunset
 Maghrib – this is performed at sunset
 Isha – this is performed between Maghrib and midnight
 Contribution In Science

Zakah
Zakah regulates the wealth contribution in its minimum, making it a
religious obligation from which the individual cannot free himself or
take concessions, since it is the right of society to be devoted to the
benefit of the needy and disabled individuals and classes.In its proper
sense, zakah is a practical manifestation of the brotherhood between the
faithful and establishes mutual solidarity between them
Swam
Sawm is the practice of abstaining, usually from food, drink,
smoking, and sexual activity. Fourth of the Five Pillars of Islam,
Sawm is observed between dawn and nightfall during the holy
month of Ramadan. The purpose of the fast is to practice self-
restraint, piety, and generosity.
 Contribution In Science

Hajj

Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. Hajj is the annual pilgrimage made
by Muslims to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, in the Middle East.
It takes place during Dhu al-Hijjah, which is the final month of the Islamic
calendar. Every year, millions of Muslims from across the world make the
journey to Mecca from wherever they live.
In today's troubled world, it is important to differentiate between what is
truly Islamic and what is just culture as Muslim culture covers a wide
variety of subjects. Many Islamic customs or traditions that are practiced
today are not supported by the Word of Allah in the Quran or the teachings
of Prophet Muhammad in the Hadith, but are simply local customs assumed
to be Muslim culture.
 Islamic Civilization Introduction

Some of those who have written about the history of civilization define
civilization as “a social system which helps man to increase his cultural
output.” In the fourth century B.C., when Alexander the Great conquered
Asia Minor and founded Alexandria, he set the stage for the great
migration of Greek philosophy and science to that part of the world.
During the Ptolemaic period, Alexandria, Egypt, was the radiant center
for the development and spread of Greek culture throughout the
Mediterranean. That great center of learning continued after 641, when
Egypt became part of the Muslim state.
 History of Islamic civilization

Islamic history and culture can be traced through the written records: Pre-
Islamic, early Islamic, Umayyad, the first and second Abbasid, the Hispano-
Arabic, the Persian and the modern periods. The various influences of these
different periods can be readily perceived, as can traces of the Greek, the Indian,
and the Pre-Islamic Persian cultures. Throughout the first four centuries of Islam,
one does not witness the synthesis or homogenization of different cultures but
rather their transmittal through, and at times their absorption into, the Islamic
framework of values.
The Concept of Islamic Civilization
 What is Islam!

The religious faith of Muslims, based on the words and religious system founded
by the prophet Muhammad and taught by the Koran, the basic principle of which
is absolute submission to a unique and personal god, Allah. Islam is a word with
multiple connotations. It is derived from an Arabic stem that carries the meanings
of peace and submission (to Allah the Exalted and Almighty). All Abrahamic
religions were sent down to discipline mankind and prepare them spiritually,
physically, and intellectually in the way that is best for the fulfilment of the
mission they are created for.
 Logic to choose the religion of Islam

Close Relationship with the Creator

At the core of Islam is the focus of an individual's personal relationship with
God, their Creator. It encourages a believer to have sustained awareness of God
which is a key to lasting happiness. Islam teaches that God is the source of peace.
By focusing on this important relationship and following God's guidance,
believers will be able to acquire inner peace and tranquility.
Positive Outlook on Life
Islam gives a person a clear perspective on the events that happen in their life,
both good and bad, as they are, in fact, tests from God. It encourages a person to
understand events in the context of the overall purpose of life, which is to
acknowledge God and obey him.
 Logic to choose the religion of Islam

Pure and Clear Concept of God:

 
 God is One and Unique
 God is the All-Powerful
 God is the Most High
 God is Perfect

Emphasizes Both Evidence and Faith

Islam is a religion in which faith is based on clear proof. It encourages
people to use their God given intelligence to think and ponder over their
life and the universe. Although this life is a test, God has provided
sufficient signs and guidance to people who are open-minded and sincere to
be able to acknowledge the truth.
 Logic to choose the religion of Islam

Forgiveness of Sins
Islam encourages a balance between hope in God's mercy and fear of His
punishment – both of which are required to lead a positive and humble
life. We are born sinless but have the free will to commit sins. God created us
and knows we are imperfect and commit sins, but the key is how we react to
committing those mistakes.
Accountability and Ultimate Justice
Islam teaches that God is the Most Just and that each person will be held
responsible for their own actions on the Day of Judgement. Each person is
accountable, as they have freedom of choice and intelligence to discern between
right and wrong.
 Logic to choose the religion of Islam

Universal and Timeless Message

Islam has a message that applies to all people at all times, from the creation of
Adam up until the Day of Judgement. It is applicable today as it always has been.
God is accessible to everyone. People may distinguish themselves and earn God's
favour through belief and righteous actions only - not through race, wealth,
gender, nationality or social class
 Characteristics of Islamic Civilization

Like the human being, every civilization has a body and a soul. The body
of a civilization is its material achievements in terms of buildings,
industrial facilities, machinery and anything which reflects welfare and
earthly advancement. Its soul is the set of creeds and concepts which
condition the behaviors of individuals and groups, their mutual
relationships and their worldview. These are the elements which constitute
the characteristics of the Islamic civilization. Five main characteristics do
distinguish the Islamic civilization from other past and present successive
human civilizations and place it at an outstanding position
 Contemporary Issue

Today’s progress in the modern world is increasingly challenging, and more

so for Islamic civilization. The inaccurate image and misunderstanding of
the teachings and practices of Islam, and of the lives of Muslims in the eyes
of the world have generally affected the relationship of Muslims with the
global community. The western economic model is not providing the
expected stability to the world’s economy, and some scholars are now
looking for alternative models including Islamic-based economics and
finance.
 Conclusion

We have emphasized humanized communication system in two minimum

and maximum levels for Islamic civilization. The minimum layer of Islamic
civilization is based on the external aspects of Islam. And the Islamization
of the civilization must be evaluated according to these jurisprudent and
ethical measures. But the advanced level of Islamic civilization must go to
a deep layer of civilization in which internal faith creates a new deep
communication system.
Thank You All