• Unlike other cultures, contemporary Islamic culture is characterized by its balance between the material and spiritual aspects. It is unique in its values, principles, and moral foundations, which are not esteemed by other cultures.
• The most prominent sources of Islamic culture are the Holy Quran, the noble prophetic Sunnah, and the Arabic language and its literature.
• The characteristics of Islamic culture include: divinity, comprehensiveness, realism, balance, moderation, stability, and development.

Every culture has its own specific concept that distinguishes it from neighboring, contemporary, and previous cultures, and Islamic culture is not an exception to the uniqueness of concepts, characteristics, or the ideas and objectives derived from its foundational premises.

Islamic culture embodies values, behaviors, social relations, attributes, and characteristics derived from the teachings and principles of Islamic law (Sharia). This culture has emerged and spread from the special adornments that distinguish it from any other culture.

Characteristics of Islamic Culture

Islamic culture has distinctive characteristics that set it apart from others:

First: It emerges from the pure teachings of Islam; its source is divine and shaped according to Islamic principles. It forms the beliefs and perceptions in the minds of individuals who produced this culture, which contrasts with other cultures that have varied and often conflicting sources, leading them to suffer from significant flaws in many of their human, moral, and value aspects.

Moreover, Islamic culture stands out because it maintains a balance between material and spiritual aspects, unlike other cultures that experience significant imbalance between these two sides, often swinging between excess and negligence. In contrast, Islamic culture is based on balance and even integration between the two facets due to its divine nature; as Allah created man from both material and spirit: (When your Lord said to the angels, “I am creating a human being from clay, from molded mud. And when I have fashioned him and breathed into him of My Spirit, then fall down in prostration to him”) (Sad: 71-72).

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “The angels were created from light, the jinn from smokeless fire, and Adam was created from that which has been described to you” (Sahih Muslim). And Allah Almighty says: (Does He not know who created? And He is the Subtle, the All-Aware) (Al-Mulk: 14). This is something that other cultures lack.

Islamic culture relies on persuasion through explanation, argument, and proof, whereas other cultures often lack this unique method of dialogue and persuasion without coercion or fallacious debate without evidence or proof. Additionally, Islamic culture is distinguished by its moral values, which other cultures do not appreciate or value, and some even see these values as meaningless constraints!

Islamic culture is universal, as Islam is a religion for all humanity; it is suitable for every time, place, and environment, while other cultures are often limited by time, space, and sometimes language, ethnicity, or religion. Islamic culture is based on stable principles, unlike other cultures that lack the stability and permanence found in Islamic cultural foundations.

Sources of Islamic Culture

1. The Holy Quran:

   The Holy Quran is revealed from the Lord of the worlds, making it one of the most important characteristics of Islamic culture. It is the foundation upon which Islamic culture is built, unmatched by any other source that has emerged or influenced in any manner from it. Therefore, it is considered the basis of Islam in its methodology, sciences, culture, and truths, as it states: (Falsehood does not approach it from before it or from behind it; it is a revelation from a Wise, Praiseworthy [Lord]) (Fussilat: 42).

   The Quran has numerous purposes in the lives of Muslims, the most important of which is guiding people to Allah, as it leads to what is most upright: (Indeed, this Quran guides to that which is most suitable) (Al-Isra: 9), educates the individuals of the community on its values, and encourages them to act according to its teachings and embody its morals to create a balanced and comprehensive Quranic personality that forms and lives the essence of Islamic culture in word and deed.

The implementation of the Quran can only be achieved through applying its rulings to create a society committed to its laws, so that happiness is realized and justice and brotherhood prevail. By working with the Quran, a culture of justice and equality among people exists, regardless of religion, color, or race. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "There is no superiority of an Arab over a non-Arab, nor of a non-Arab over an Arab, nor of a white over a black, nor of a black over a white, except by piety."

The second source: Prophetic Sunnah:

The Prophetic Sunnah comes as the second source of Islamic culture after its primary source, the Holy Quran. The Sunnah serves as the explanation for the general rulings found in the Quran, as the clarification, detail, and elucidation were left to the noble and informative Prophetic Sunnah.

The most prominent sources of Islamic culture are the Holy Quran, the noble Prophetic Sunnah, and the Arabic language and its literature. As the second source, the Sunnah has had its impact over the ages in shaping, defining, and renewing the features of Islamic culture, as it exists in the minds and intellects of the Islamic generations that transmitted it through successive generations of the Ummah, having been raised on the guidance of the Holy Quran and having drawn from the well of the Prophetic Sunnah.

It constitutes a significant repository of values and morals that are binding for every Muslim in all aspects of their public and private life. Therefore, it received special attention as the second source of Islamic culture, and this interest continues to be passed down from one generation to another, as their Prophet commanded them, saying: "You must follow my Sunnah and that of the rightly guided caliphs. Hold firm to it with your molars."

The third source: The Arabic language:

As the vessel that preserved the Book of God and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace be upon him), and due to its role in shaping the Muslim's mind, emotions, and way of thinking, as well as its role in interpreting the Holy Quran and understanding the Sharia rulings, Muslims who are not Arabs have turned to learning it because it is the language of the Quran and the tongue of Islam.

What distinguishes Islamic culture:

Islamic culture has numerous and diverse characteristics that make it a culture with origins, constants, and values that surpass and differentiate it from other cultures, including:

- Divine origin:

 It is a culture from God Almighty, complete and unblemished, ensuring happiness for those who affiliate with it and adhere to it, making them independent from any other human culture. God said: "This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have chosen for you Islam as religion." (Al-Maidah: 3).

- Inclusiveness:

Being divine, Islamic culture is holistic; it encompasses all aspects of life without excluding anything, be it little or much, small or large.

- Realism:

Islam is a realistic religion that deals with reality by affirming objective truths according to their reality and objectivity, not based on superstitions and myths that God has not authorized.

- Balance and moderation:

Islamic culture is a balanced culture based on moderation, giving every right its due without excess or deficiency, with a balance in the servant's relationship with their Creator, as servitude to Him alone is absolute, and the status of humans is to be servants of God alone.

- Stability, development, and positivity:

Islamic culture is characterized by stability concerning beliefs, divine truths, and definitive evidence from the Quran or the Sunnah; it is fixed and not subject to development or change. As for development, it applies to everything produced by the human mind as long as it is viable aligns with the objectives of Islamic law, and serves the public or private interest; hence, it is positive.

This is the essence of Islamic culture; if we adhere to and act upon this essence, it will be reflected in our appearance. When appearance aligns with essence, success is achieved, and Islamic culture prevails, taking a prominent place among other cultures.