Quote:
Originally Posted by farah
i don't think that's true. as the nawawi foundation article shows, Islam is very flexible to different cultures. Even for things that are the sunnah of the Prophet (saw), we have different levels for their permissibility/level of command. Actions can be haram, makruh, mubah, mustahab, wajib, etc. One can consider emulating the Prophet (saw) as something that's good, but that doesn't mean that it's incumbent on others to practice it, and that practice (or lack thereof) can differ between different cultures.
Even the interpretations can differ by culture. Islamically, we're told to be kind to others; what constitutes kindness in one culture may not transfer to another.
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For sure, but I think you'd agree with me that there are values and practices that all Muslims share. Even if they don't practice them they know they exist and have a similar disposition towards them.
I gave the example of gender relations. Every major Muslim group, whether it be in Indonesia, Persia or Bosnia, knows that it's not 'right' for unmarried women to be alone in private with unmarried men. Even if they do it, there's typically a sense that they're doing something wrong. Nor is it right for unmarried Muslims to dance in public with members of the opposite sex, or wear revealing clothing according to a certain standard etc.
This awareness spans various cultures, with what could be called only minor deviations.
Values regarding adoption, abortion, hygiene etiquette etc. all of those things cut across the various cultures that Islam now includes.
In regards to American legal system vs American culture... the legal system is a powerful reflection
of American culture. Likewise is Islamic fiqh a reflection of what I'd describe as Islamic culture.