[IbnMardhiyah]

Originally Posted by TrentReznor858

What defines it? I was looking for a broad description.

...

And that would be?

See MZ's post above ... its a perfect summary.

[Variable]

Originally Posted by MuslimZ

word.

to sum it up:

"In history, Islam showed itself to be culturally friendly and, in
that regard, has been likened to a crystal clear river. Its waters (Islam) are
pure, sweet, and life-giving but—having no color of their own—reflect the
bedrock (indigenous culture) over which they flow. In China, Islam looked
Chinese; in Mali, it looked African."

I think where all those different versions intersect, you could describe a single Islamic culture.

[Revert]

Originally Posted by TrentReznor858

Why would it be considered synonymous with arab culture, when they are a minute part of the population? Is there a broader culture out there, a more uniform one? Or is muslim culture just ethnic culture carried over?

Most Muslims associate Muslim culture with The Sunnah fo the Prophet(saws) which initeself is an amalgamation of Hijaz Arab practices and the Prophets(saws) personal habits.

Thats what I meant.

[farah]

Originally Posted by Variable

I think where all those different versions intersect, you could describe a single Islamic culture.

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.

When we try to make everything in Islam a matter of consensus, we are going against the way of our pious ancestors no matter what we call ourselves. This is a fact, and another fact is that our pious ancestors differed on more than they agreed on. There was one scholar named ibn Al-Mundhir who died in the year 310H. Ibn Al-Mundhir wrote a book called Kitabul-Ijmaa’, this was a book that included everything that the ulamaa agreed upon up until his death. This book is only about 250 pages big. The rest was all subject to ongoing debate, ongoing discussion. But the Muslims then had rules for discussion and that is why they could discuss and continue to debate and even change their minds without it leading to hatred and distrust and someone accusing the other of not being a pious Muslim.

(Source)

Of COURSE there are things in Islam that are fundamental (the pillars, no alcohol/fornication, etc), but I'd personally consider most of those things fiqh rather than culture. To equate the two is like saying that the American legal system is the same as its culture.

[Variable]

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.

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.

[IbnMardhiyah]

Originally Posted by Variable

Likewise is Islamic fiqh a reflection of what I'd describe as Islamic culture.

Fiqh varies from place to place, culture to culture, and sometimes can vary quite substantially.

[Variable]

Originally Posted by IbnMardhiyah

Fiqh varies from place to place, culture to culture, and sometimes can vary quite substantially.

In regards to something like gender relations or abortion?

[Abu_Hind]

It's all about Furu'.

Also trent if you're serious check out the work called 'Sunnah A Source of Civilization' by Dr. Qaradawi.

[TrentReznor858]

Originally Posted by Abu_Hind

It's all about Furu'.

Also trent if you're serious check out the work called 'Sunnah A Source of Civilization' by Dr. Qaradawi.

I will google that, I am not sure if I can find it.