Culture is derived from Latin word cultura which stands for Cultivation. It is a term that has many different meanings. However, the word "culture" is most commonly used in three basic senses:
v Excellence of taste in the fine arts and humanities, also identified as high culture
v An integrated pattern of human knowledge, faith, belief, and behavior that depends upon the capacity and aptitude for symbolic thought and social learning
v The set of communal attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution, organization, or group
With the passage of time "culture" emerged as a concept central to anthropology, encompassing all human phenomena that are not purely results of human genetics. Specifically, the term "culture" denotes to;
v the evolved human capacity to categorize and represent experiences with symbols, and to act imaginatively and creatively; and
v the distinct ways that people living in different parts of the world classified and represented their experiences
Muslim culture is a term primarily used in academia to describe the cultural practices common to Muslims. As the religion Islam originated in 7th century in Arabia so the early forms of Muslim culture were predominantly Arab. With the rapid expansion of the Muslim empires, Muslim culture has influenced, by or large, the rest of the world especially assimilated much from the Persian, Turk, Pakistani, Mongol, Indian, Malay, Berber, Indonesian, Roman Byzantine, Spanish, Sicilian, Balkans, Filipino and Western cultures.
Muslim Culture refers to the customs and traditions that Muslims have adopted in their respective countries including the Islamic / Muslim Clothing they wear, foods they eat, wedding traditions and other such aspects of their Life. Muslim Culture is near to nature and bestowed with rich cultural heritage of loving and caring community. In spite of several problems, faced by the Muslims, in this west dominated world, people help each other in all aspects of life. One can say that whole of the Muslim community lives like an extended family, sharing joys and grieves of life together.
Culture of Pakistan:
The society and culture of Pakistan comprises numerous diverse cultures and ethnic groups: the Punjabis, Kashmiris, Sindhis in east, Muhajirs, Makrani in the south; Baloch and Pashtun in the west; and the ancient Dardic, Wakhi and Burusho communities in the north. These Pakistani cultures have been greatly influenced by many of the surrounding countries' cultures, such as the Turkic peoples, Persian, Afghan, and Indians of Asia, Central and the Middle East.
In ancient times, Pakistan was a major cultural hub. Many cultural practices and great monuments have been inherited from the time of the ancient rulers of the region. One of the greatest cultural influences was that of the Persian Empire, of which Pakistan was a part. In fact, the Pakistani satraps were at one time the richest and most productive of the massive Persian Empire. Other key influences include the Afghan Empire, Mughal Empire and later, the short lived but influential, the British Empire.
Pakistan has a cultural and ethnic background going back to the Indus Valley Civilization, which existed from 2800–1800 B.C., and was remarkable for its ordered cities, advanced sanitation, excellent roads, and uniquely structured society. Pakistan has been invaded many times in the past, and has been occupied and settled by many different peoples, each of whom have left their imprint on the current inhabitants of the country. Some of the largest groups were the 'Aryans', Greeks, Scythians, Persians, White Huns, Arabs, Turks, Mongols, Afghans, Buddhists and other Eurasian groups, up to and including the British, who left in the late 1940s.
The region has formed a distinct cultural unit within the main cultural complex of South Asia, the Middle East and Central Asia from the earliest times, and is analogous to Turkey's position in Eurasia. There are differences in culture among the different ethnic groups in matters such as dress, food, and religion, especially where pre-Islamic customs differ from Islamic practices. Their cultural origins also reveal influences from far afield, including Tibet, Nepal, India and eastern Afghanistan. All groups show varying degrees of influence from Persia, Turkestan and Hellenistic Greece. Pakistan was the first region of South Asia to receive the full impact of Islam and has developed a distinct Islamic identity, historically different from areas further west
Analysis of Muslim Culture in Pakistan
A simple analysis of Muslim Culture in Pakistan can be elaborated as under;
v The outer circle consists of “cultural Muslims”, who follow their religion in a somewhat superficial manner. They consider their religion a part of their culture, but do not necessarily read much about their faith or practice their religion actively. For them, Islam simply forms a framework identity for the social activities they engage in or identity for the social activities they engage in or identify with.
v The second circle is occupied by “ritual Muslims”. They mainly practice the five pillars of Islam and are friendly.
v The third circle represents “theological Muslims”. They study Islamic texts in greater depth and are interested in implementing shriah law instead of the worldly law of the land.
v The fourth circle consists of “revolutionary Muslims”. They usually have trend and mindset to use force for implementation of their beliefs.
v The fifth and innermost circle represents “militants”. They represent only a very small fraction of Muslim society but they are ready to sacrifice for implementation of their beliefs.
Proposed Measures to Promote Values of Quran:
Based on this analysis it is the need of time to adapt considered communication suitable for each group to promote Quranic values and culture. It needs logic, reasoning and working with and within these groups to guide and encourage them to endorse values of the Holy Quran resulting into the desired Quranic culture.
Here's what Quran Says:
1. Respect and honor all human beings irrespective of their religion, colour, race, sex, language, status, property, birth, profession/job and so on [17/70]
2.Talk straight, to the point, without any ambiguity or deception [33/70]
3. Choose best words to speak and say them in the best possible way [17/53, 2/83]
4.Do not shout. Speak politely keeping your voice low. [31/19]
5.Always speak the truth. Shun words that are deceitful and ostentatious [22/30]
6. Do not confound truth with falsehood [2/42]
7.Say with your mouth what is in your heart [3/167]
8. Speak in a civilized manner in a language that is recognized by the society and is commonly used! [4/5]
9. When you voice an opinion, be just, even if it is against a relative[6/152]
10. Do not be a bragging boaster [31/18]
11. Do not talk, listen or do anything vain [23/3, 28/55]
12. Do not participate in any paltry. If you pass near a futile play, then pass by with dignity [25/72]
13. Do not verge upon any immodesty or lewdness whether surreptitious or overt [6/151].
14. If, unintentionally, any misconduct occurs by you, then correct yourself expeditiously [3/134].
15. Do not be contemptuous or arrogant with people [31/18]
16. Do not walk haughtily or with conceit [17/37, 31/18]
17. Be moderate in thy pace [31/19]
18. Walk with humility and sedateness [25/63]
19. Keep your gazes lowered devoid of any lecherous leers and salacious stares ! [24/30-31, 40/19].
20. If you do not have complete k nowledge about anything, better keep your mouth shut. You might think that speaking about something without full knowledge is a trivial matter. But it might have grave consequences [24/15-16]
21. When you hear something malicious about someone, keep a favorable view about him/her until you attain full knowledge about the matter. Consider others innocent until they are proven guilty with solid and truthful evidence [24/12-13]
22. Ascertain the truth of any news, lest you smite someone in ignorance and afterward repent of what you did[49/6]
23. Do not follow blindly any information of which you have no direct knowledge. (Using your faculties of perception and conception) you must verify it for yourself. In the Court of your Lord, you will be held accountable for your hearing, sight, and the faculty of reasoning [17/36].
24. Never think that you have reached the final stage of knowledge and nob! ody knows more than yourself. Remember! Above everyone endowed with knowledge is another endowed with more knowledge [12/76]. Even the Prophet [p.b.u.h] was asked to keep praying, "O My Sustainer! Advance
me in knowledge." [20:114]
25. The believers are but a single Brotherhood. Live like members of one family, brothers and sisters unto one another [49/10].
26. Do not make mockery of others or ridicule others [49/11]
27. Do not defame others [49/11]
28. Do not insult others by nicknames [49/11]
29. Avoid suspicion and guesswork. Suspicion and guesswork might
deplete your communal energy [49/12]
30. Spy not upon one another [49/12]
31. Do not backbite one another [49! /12]
32. When you meet each other, offer good wishes and blessings for safety. One who conveys to you a message of safety and security and also when a courteous greeting is offered to you, meet it with a greeting still more courteous or (at least) of equal courtesy [4/86]
33. When you enter your own home or the home of somebody else, compliment the inmates [24/61]
34. Do not enter houses other than your own until you have sought permission; and then greet the inmates and wish them a life of blessing, purity and pleasure [24/27]
35. Treat kindly
" Your parents
" Relatives
" The orphans
" And those who have been left alone in the society [4/36]
36. Take care of
" The needy,
" The disabled
" Those whose hard earned income is insufficient to meet their needs
" And those whose businesses have stalled
" And those who have lost their jobs. [4/36]
37. Treat kindly " Your related neighbours, and unrelat! ed neighbours " Companions by your side in public gatherings, or public transportation. [4/36]
38. Be generous to the needy wayfarer, the homeless son of the street, and the one who reaches you in a destitute condition [4/36]
39. Be nice to people who work under your care. [4/36]
40. Do not follow up what you have given to others to afflict them with reminders of your generosity [2/262].
41. Do not expect a return for your good behaviour, not even thanks [76/9]
42. Cooperate with one another in good deeds and do not cooperate with others in evil and bad matters [5/2]
43. Do no try to impress people on account of self-proclaimed virtues [53/32]
44. You should enjoin right conduct on others but mend your own ways first. Actions speak louder than words. You must first practice good deeds yourself, then preach [2/44]
45. Correct yourself and your families first [before trying to correct others] [66/6]
46.Pardon gracefully if anyone among you who commits a bad deed out of ignorance, and then repents and amends[6/54, 3/134]
47. Divert and sublimate your anger and potentially virulent emotions to creative energy, and become a source of tranquility and comfort to people [3/134]
48. Call people to the Way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful exhortation. Reason with them most decently [16/125]
49. Leave to themselves those who do not give any importance to the Divine code and have adopted and consider it as mere play and amusement [6/70]
50. Sit not in the company of those who ridicule Divine Law unless they engage in some other conversation[4/140]
51. Do not be jealous of those who are blessed [4/54]
52. In your collective life, make rooms for others [58/11]
53. When invited to ! dine, Go at the appointed time. Do not arrive too early to wait for the preparation of meal or linger after eating to engage in bootless babble. Such things may cause inconvenience to the host [33/53]
54.Eat and drink [what is lawful] in moderation [7/31].
55. Do not squander your wealth senselessly [17/26]
56. Fulfill your promises and commitments [17/34]
57.Keep yourself clean, pure [9/108, 4/43, 5/6].
58. Dress-up in agreeable attire and adorn yourself with exquisite
character from inside out[7/26]
59. Seek your provision only by fair endeavour [29/17, 2/188]
60. Do not devour the wealth and property of others unjustly, nor bribe the officials or the judges to deprive others of their possessions [2/188]
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