THE Muslim culture or Islamic it is as heterogeneous as the number of people who maintain it, especially in regions of Africa and Asia.
However, she shares the aspects that affect the Islamic religion. It is important to note that the word “Muslim” itself is derived from Arabic (“aslama) and means “submitted to God”.
Muslim men praying
Therefore, every Muslim is a convert to Islam (from the Arabic, “surrender”). Therefore, the terms “Muslim culture” and “Islamic culture” are confused, since those aspects influence dimensions of the moral and political life of Muslim society.
Characteristics of Muslim Culture
Originally, Muslim culture took place among the Semitic shepherds of the different tribes that were brought together by the prophet Mohammed.
After his death in 632, Arabia was unified and the expansion of the arab empire. It was fully based on the precepts of Islam being led by a caliph.
The sociopolitical system indicated by the prophet and written in the holy books of the Muslim religion spread across the Mediterranean, Red and Indian Ocean seas.
There, they established major trade routes. Furthermore, the emerging Mohammedan culture has met the Byzantine, Persian, Chinese and Indian cultures, assimilating their cultural aspects while preserving the customs and beliefs of the peoples conquered.
On the other hand, it is worth noting that Muslims are divided between Sunnis and Shiites.
You Sunnis follow the teachings of the Qur'an (or Koran) and the Sunnah. They were led by All-Abbas, uncle of the prophet Mohammed after his death.
already the Shiites, are followers of Ali, Mohammed's son-in-law, and use the Koran solely and exclusively as a form of sociopolitical orientation.
Then we can point to “Sharia”, the set of laws based on the sacred scriptures as the “book of Muslim law” and the guide to behavior.
In this system, legal documents are less important than the spoken word, which is just as important as social status.
Originally, Muslims excelled in agriculture, with their irrigation techniques to produce cotton, cereals and oranges. In addition to it, the manufactures for the production of cotton fabrics, glass artifacts and steel manufacturing stand out.
Another highlight is the Muslim architecture, responsible for creating magnificent palaces, mosques and schools. The Byzantine and Persian influences stand out, with their domes, minarets and twisted columns decorated with arabesques.
From a scientific and cultural point of view, Muslims were responsible for the preservation and dissemination of Hellenic culture. Thus, they allowed the Greek legacy to benefit Western European culture.
Likewise, Muslim mathematicians created the Indo-Arabic numbering system. They contributed to the evolution of trigonometry and algebra, just as their physicists made important contributions in the studies of light refraction and optics.
Their chemists discovered nitric and sulfuric acids, silver nitrate, sodium carbonate, and the processes of distillation, filtration, and sublimation that enabled them to produce alcohol.
His doctors carried out important studies to unravel the causes of tuberculosis.
In philosophy, the philosophers Aristotle and Plato had great influence. In literature, the best known works in the Western world are “The one thousand and one nights”, “King Solomon's Mines" and "Ali Nanny and the Forty Thieves”.
Another very important aspect about Muslim culture is the “Ramadan” (or Ramadan).
This law determines the spiritual incitement in a certain month of the year (the ninth month of the Islamic calendar) and the fast that prohibits the consumption of food or water before sunset.
cuisine
Muslim cuisine
At the outset, it is worth noting that some foods and beverages are prohibited by Muslim culture. Examples are alcoholic beverages and pork, in addition to animals killed by natural causes or by another wild animal.
Therefore, the basis of the diet consists of fish, poultry, goats, cattle, camels and mutton. They are served baked or fried and seasoned with oriental spices.
Muslim food is served with bread (Arab bread), and enjoyed with grains, vegetables, dried fruits and vegetables.
The best-known dishes are chicken rice, tabbulim, raw or fried kebabs, combs and chickpea paste (hummus), eggplant and curd.
It is noteworthy that in Muslim culture these foods are eaten with the hands (always with the right hand).
Religion
Pilgrimage to Mecca
The Religion that guides Muslim culture is the Islam. She is monotheistic and has as her most important sacred book the “Quran”, written by Muhammad, considered by Muslims to be the last prophet of God.
Thus, Muslims are charged with declaration of faith, five daily prayers, charity, fasting during the holy month of Ramadan and pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca.
Wedding
Muslim Marriage in Mosque
Muslim marriage differs in each region in which it is celebrated. It is characterized, as a rule, as a contract in which the payment of an amount to the groom's family is foreseen, who is looking for the bride and must accept the bride's father's offer.
Furthermore, we have to point out that Muslim laws allow a man to have up to four wives and that only men can marry outside of their religion.
Women
Muslim woman praying in mosque
In Muslim culture, the differences between men and women are clear with regard to the roles, rights and duties of each gender.
Thus, in most Muslim countries, women have full religious rights to decide on marriage, divorce, dress and education.
However, in others, they deal with restrictions in determining their marital status, studying and working, since they owe obedience to men.
Therefore, it is common for Muslim culture to allow husbands to beat their wives and force them to dress modestly.
As an example, we have Iran and the Saudi Arabia, where women must cover their heads in public or wear a burqa.
Muslim Culture Today
Currently, most Muslims inhabit Asia and Africa, where the largest Muslim populations are found:
- Indonesia (184 Million);
- Bangladesh (119 Million);
- Pakistan (116 Million);
- Turkey (67 Million);
- Iran (56 Million);
- Egypt (48 Million).
At the same time, the Islamic religion that is the pillar of Muslim culture is the fastest growing in the world. It is already the second most important religion on the planet, with more than 50 countries with a Muslim majority and more than 1.57 billion people in 2009.
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