dominating features of islamic civilization
TRANSCRIPT
Civilization comes from the latten word
civil which means “universal”.
‘An advanced state of intellectual, cultural, and material development in human society, marked by progress in the arts and sciences…’
Islamic civilization is based upon the basic principles of Islam derived from Quran and Sunnah
Islamic civilization has proved to be unique and superior from the rest
Based on unity standing against all types of discriminations
Monotheism
Moderation and globalization
Combination of ancient world with modern
Balance
Perennial
Morality
Belief in one ALLAH
No one is equal to or superior than him
He owns the supreme sovereignty.
He is the only Beneficial and He is the only who can Punish
Most prominent character of islamic civilization
Disbelief in deification of ruler
Equality among humans
Elimination of idolatry
Correct perception about
The creator
The universe
hereafter
Man learns rulers are nothing but servants for masses
They should be took to account if ruling improperly
Man gains his dignity
The freedom of not bowing to anyone but ALLAH satisfies him and gives his deserved status
He works for nothing but to please ALLAH
Men are equal like teeth of a comb
All are the ALLAH’s creation having precedence over other creatures
Superiority has no standards but piety
Superiority must not be boosted about or piety is lost
O people! Verily, your Lord is one and your father is one. There is no superiority for an Arab over a non-Arab and for a non-Arab
over an Arab; or for the white (people) over the black or for the black over the white
except in piety”
There is only one ALLAH who is not visible but always in our hearts
All idols and statues bowed before must be eliminated
Idol manifestations are not permissible in Islam for they are look alike of ALLAH’s creatures
Worshipping a non living piece of stone is man’s own disrespect
ALLAH is the only creator of universe
Universe has been created for man to live on and explore it
Day of resurrection is due
All creatures will be brought back to life
Men will be took into account for all his deeds, good or bad
It has a universal dimension
For all geographical regions, containing all races till the end of the world
Pluralist religion coexisting with other religions allowing full religious anatomy
Excepts good characters from other civilization as long as they are not counter to Islam
All actions done in the society by men for the serving of humanity are GOD blessed actions
“O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed,
Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.”
Dawned upon men in old age i.e. in 6th century A.D
Encouraged them to research and explore
Inculcated a zeal to make a modern world
To obtain better knowledge, techniques and living standards
We can see balance maintained in Islamic civilization in following fields:
Material and spiritual aspects
Islamic and life sciences
World and hereafter
Idealism and realism
Rights and duties
Spiritual and material aspects alone cannot bring satisfaction and happiness in man's life
Pure spiritualism gives Underdevelopment
undermining of will
thinking and the energies of work
killing of the humanity of humans
loss of the benefits of the universe.
Pure materialism gives Tyranny
oppression
Enslavement
Humiliation
brutal control of lives, property and honor.
Islam promotes materialism along with spiritualism for the smooth running of life
Balance between the two gives:
Freedom
thinking,
the fruit of efforts and work within a framework of faith and morality based on:
justice security
stability
compassion
Islam has based its civilization upon methods of: Science
Knowledge
Reason
Research
Experiment
induction
Quran permits every scientific knowledge and information until it is counter to Islam
This balanced approach is different from those civilizations, whose religions dominated the intellectual power, and where science was prohibited, and thinking was restricted.
It also differs from those where scientific observations surpass humans common sense and they start disgracing their own self (for example. Due to certain homologous similarities considering man to have been evolved from monkey)
Islam did not ask a Muslim to be a monk in a monastery, ignoring religious duties and supplications, ignoring the rights of ALLAH
Nor to become a worshiper in an isolated place, praying all night and fasting during the daytime, and trying no luck in life and forgetting the rights of people
ALLAH says in (Al-Jum’ah: 9, 10):
“O ye who believe! When the call is proclaimed to prayer on Friday (the Day of Assembly), hasten
earnestly to the Remembrance of Allah, and leave off business. That is best for you if ye but knew! And when the Prayer is finished, then may ye disperse through the land, and seek of the Bounty of Allah,
and celebrate the Praises of Allah often that ye may prosper”
Idealism and realism cannot be separated
Islam is an ideal and realistic religion at the same time.
It always seeks perfection and ideals for its followers by putting pious examples before them
But it urges them to do everything they could do depending upon their mental and physical capabilities and does not place much burden on people
Imaginary idealism has no existence in the Islamic civilization, but it exists only in the world of dreams and is completely far from the reality of man and his instincts, attitudes, shortcomings and deficiencies
Such realism that means satisfaction regardless of its manner or shape, or means that the Islamic civilization subdues its principles to cope with life by any means is banned in Islamic civilization
Rights of one are the duties of other
Protection of rights and duties is important for the smooth running of society
Islamic civilization puts stress on every man to fulfill his duties and to strive for hos rights if not given
Not fighting for one’s right is also prohibited
Islam tends to strike a balance between rights and duties of individuals and groups in order to make a balance between individualism and social interest.
man must live within the circle of society, share benefits and interests, and establish relationships.
The civilization of Islam is characterized by balance and moderation
ALLAH has promised to preserve Holy Quran
This civilization is based upon the sacred holy book so the civilization promises to last as long as the world does
It is a civilization with unique characteristics, that never withers away since it is not a national or a racial civilization nor does it run counter to human nature.
In all cases, Islam should not be identified with Muslims, these may become weak or less influential but Islam remains firm. The Islamic civilization is therefore permanently buoyant and has self-renewing cycles and unrelenting dynamics.
This civilization gives prominence to moral values in all fields of activity In ruling
In science
In legislation
In war
In peace
In economy
In family
These characteristics draw their sustainability from the principles of the Islamic religion, since they are founded on them and are intrinsically bound up to them.
They are like a precious diamond that remains unaltered whatever are the historical circumstances or the upheavals shaking Islamic societies up and down