Muslim Culture and Traditions

Understanding Muslim 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 Qur'an, Sirah and Hadith. Secular Muslim literature developed in the Umayyad empire. It was taken by the Arabs to distant lands and became part of a popular culture. In due course of time, Persian became one of the main languages of the civilization. In the sub-continent, syncretist poetry from the Sufis propagated the foundations of Muslim culture.

Festivals and Marriage

Muslim festivals are all centered around the events in the life of Prophet Mohammed. Festivals like Eid ul-Fitr, Eid ul-Adha and Lailat al Miraj are classic examples of the influence of religion in the lives of Muslim people. 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.

Art and Architecture

Art is an important part of Muslim culture. The abstract, decorative and floral designs are unique to Islamic art and architecture. Muslim art is always devoid of depictions of the animate, especially human beings according to the dictates of Islam or Muslim religion. Portraiture is taboo to the culture and traditions. Islamic art focuses on the omnipresence of Allah, the 'One who cannot be represented by imagery'. Arabic calligraphy is a recognized art form used to write verses from the Qur'an. Muslim architecture is unique in style too. Minarets and domes are an essential part of fortress-palaces and Masjids or mosques. Islamic architecture is common in the following features:

• large courtyards
• central prayer halls
• minarets
• a wall niche indicating the direction to Mecca
• domes
• iwans to separate sections
• repetitive art forms
• Arabic calligraphy
• fountains
• bright color

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.

Muslim traditions

Islam beliefs and traditions are sourced from the teachings of the prophet Mohammed. The term Muslim means 'submission to God'. Islam is now recognized as the second-largest world religion. Muslims believe that the Quran is the outcome of dialogs between the God and prophet. The two popular sects in the religion are the Sias and the Sunnis. The latter believe that Mohammed is the restorer of the faith, promoted by previous prophets like Abraham and Jesus Christ. The Sunnis on the other hand, believe in the 'words' of the prophet; words that were spoken by him. This comprises his teachings and revelations. Islam propagates the five laws that are fundamental duties to unite Muslims in spirit. These are:

• Shahadah or the worship of one God only.
• Salah or prayer, at least five times a day.
• Zakat, or donation of alms.
• Sawm, or fasting during Ramadan.
• Haj, the pilgrimage to the Holy City of Mecca.

Sufism is a mystical form of Islam. The Sufis believe in a direct experience of God via devotion.