Features of Islamic & Western Culture: Law and Society (Multimedia University)

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Features of Islamic & Western Culture
Law and Society (Multimedia University)
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Features of Islamic & Western Culture
There are several characteristics of Islamic culture. First, Islamic culture is God-
centered which emphasizes on the Oneness of Almighty Allah. According to Surah Al-
Baqarah (2:163), Allah says: “And your God is one God: there is no god but He,
Most Gracious, Most Merciful”. Islam also emphasizes the Halal, the worship and
devotion, such as prayers, fasting, Zakat and Hajj. In fact, Islam makes Friday Prayer a
must. According to S.14 of Syariah Criminal Offences Act (SCOA), Muslims who fail
to perform the prayers on Friday will be punished.
Second, Islamic culture is egalitarian, tolerant and fraternal. Islam emphasizes

that all people are equal without any bias or racism as all human beings are creation of
Allah. Besides, Islam believes in the freedom of religion and accepts no compulsion in
religion as Islam is tolerant of people of all faith. According to Surah Al-Baqarah
(2:256), Allah says: “Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear
from Error: whoever rejects Evil and believes in Allah has grasped the most
trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And Allah hears and knows all things. In
Malaysia, A.3(1)of FC also provided that although Islam is the religion of Federation but
any other religions may be practiced in peace and harmony.
Third, Islamic culture is dignifying and moralistic as Islam emphasizes

truthfulness, honesty, cleanliness, self-confidence, self-reliance, charity and generosity.
According to Surah Al-Baqarah (2:195), Allah says: “And spend your substance in
cause of Allah, and make not your own hands contribute to destruction; but do
good; for Allah loves those who do goods.” Besides, Islam culture is family-oriented
with great emphasizes on good spousal of relations, good care of children, love and
respect for elders. This culture is applied in S.52 of Children Act, which stipulated that
any person who takes the child out without custody is liable to be fine or imprisonment.
Fourth, Islamic culture is dynamic, progressive, world affirming and not world
denying. Islam emphasizes struggle, change, social justice, removal of oppression and
evil; encourages the act of learning, education, seeking for knowledge as well. According
to Al-Zumar (39:9), Allah says: “Are those equal, those who know and those who not
know?” This culture is applied in education of Malaysia, where Education Act 1966
makes 6 years of primary education compulsory for all children of Malaysian citizens
who are of ages 6-12 years.
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Fifth, Islamic culture is non-exclusivist but optimistic. Islam believes that human
nature is good and if people are given chance to know and learn Islam as it is, they will
find it satisfying and fulfilling. According to Surah Al-Tawbah (9:115), it stated that
“And Allah will not mislead a people after He has guided them, in order that He
may make clear to them what to fear and avoid, for Allah has knowledge of all
things.”
Sixth, Islamic culture is Hifz-i furuj, which implied that the Muslims would not be
allowed to practice sexual promiscuity. Men and women could not illicitly live together,
could not reveal their bodies and could not openly enter into sexual relations. According
to Al-Muminum (23:5-7), Allah says: “And who guard their private parts except
from their wives. But, those who want something beyond this are indeed
transgressors. In Malaysia, those who are convicted of rape can be sentenced to not less
than 10 years to a maximum of 30 years and also whipping as stipulated under S.376 of
Penal Code.
Seventh, Islamic culture is Hifz-i maratib, means that all human beings are
originally equal in the eyes of God. The application of this culture can be observed in
Equality Act 2010, which aimed to protect individuals from unfair treatment and
promotes a fair and more equal society. However, human beings are not equal in their
family and social relations. For instance, the younger have to show respect to the older,
the children to their parents, and the students to their teachers. According to Al-Isra
(17:23), Allah says: “Your Lord has commanded that you worship non but Him, and
that you be kind to your parents, address them in term of honour.”
Eighth, Islamic culture is a well-balanced civilization. It insists on equilibrium the

material and the spiritual dimensions of the life. According to Surah Al-Baqarah
(2:143), Allah says: “We have made you a justly balanced community that you will
be witnesses over the people and the Messenger will be a witness over you.” In
Malaysia, since we are living in a democratic country and enjoying our fundamental
liberties as guaranteed by the Constitution, we should exercise our rights in good manner,
so that we able to archeive a balance point between the government and the citizen.
However, western culture differs from Islamic culture. First, Western culture
emphasizes absolute freedom for any individual or group, provided that they do not
disturb others’ legal rights. Each individual must have no legal confinement in life at
all; one can commit the filthiest of actions and nobody can stop him/her. This culture is
totally against the Malaysian Law, for instance, every citizens has the freedom of speech,
assembly and association under A.10 of FC, but subject to A.10 (2),(3),(4) of FC, it
permits government to impose restrictions on these rights. This means that the freedom is
not absolute in Malaysia but is governed by laws.
Second, Western culture encourages the essence of power. Even cooperation,

teamwork and their decisions is considered a device for achieving power. The strong
trying hard to weaken people, leaving them to struggle towards death. In fact, this culture
goes against the revelation of Islam as Allah emphasizes on morality of human beings.
According to Surah Al- Hud (11:11), Allah says: “Those who do righteousness, for
them is forgiveness and a great award.”
Third, Western culture encourages the essence of pleasure in life and emphasizes
that “Depriving oneself of pleasures leads to complexes and other psychological
abnormalities!” Although these passionate lovers admit that leaving pleasures cause
mental activities to weaken, they did not expand the concept of the pleasure to
knowledge, justice and helping other.
Forth, western culture encourages the essence of profit-making and

opportunism. Utilitarianism is so obviously established until mans are constantly
seeking their own benefits blindly even though it may harm others. In fact, this is totally
immoral as according to Surah Al- Baqarah (2:276), it states that “Allah will deprive
usury of all blessing, but will give increase for deeds of charity.”

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lOMoARcPSD|5157068

Features of Islamic & Western Culture

Law and Society (Multimedia University)

StuDocu is not sponsored or endorsed by any college or university

Features of Islamic & Western Culture

Second, Islamic culture is egalitarian, tolerant and fraternal. Islam emphasizes

Third, Islamic culture is dignifying and moralistic as Islam emphasizes

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Eighth, Islamic culture is a well-balanced civilization. It insists on equilibrium the

Second, Western culture encourages the essence of power. Even cooperation,

Forth, western culture encourages the essence of profit-making and

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