Metamorphosis of a Culture: Being Muslim Americans

America is a land of immigrants. It is pluralistic society. American Muslims are also diverse. They have come here from different countries and they have different backgrounds. The second generation of Muslims in America is indeed different from the first generation. First generation of Muslim immigrants were generally well educated, but they came from countries that had economic or political problems. They came to a new environment. Many of them did quite well. They established themselves, supported their families back home and then also established mosques, schools, took good care of their families and raised them up nicely. Most of them gave good education to their children. America has also been very good to its immigrants.
It is very important that we be thankful to Allah and grateful to the society where we have lived and prospered. We should not take our blessings for granted. We do have our responsibilities.
What it means to be an American Muslim? There is a difference between being Muslim in America and being an American Muslim. Being an American Muslim, in my view, mean that one must be an authentic Muslim, a believer and observant Muslim and at the same time be a good citizen of America. The good citizenship (al-muwatanah al-salihah) is an act of righteousness (min a’mal al-birr). The Shari’ah recognizes the duty of Muslims to love their country. There are several important Islamic concepts that can be applied to the ruling of citizenship: Amanah, Mas’uliyah, al-birr, al-ihsan, etc. The good citizenship entails:
Love of the country, Participation, Contribution – taxes as well as volunteerism, Expressing the opinions and respecting other people’s opinions. In a multicultural and multi religious society one has to recognize the rights of others to enjoy their religious and cultural liberty. Islam also teaches justice and fair dealing with all people, good neighborly relations and finally securing peace and safety of all people.
The culture in Islam is not Arabic or eastern or Middle Eastern. It is also not monolithic. It has varieties and rich diversity. There are elements in Islamic culture that are constant and they are universally accepted by all Muslims; but there are also elements in Islamic culture that are diverse and different from country to country and people to people. There are also elements that are changing and evolving. The universals are based on the Qur’an and Sunnah; while the variables are based on local customs (a‘raf and ‘adat) of various people. Thus there is an Arab Islamic culture, Indo-Pakistani Islamic culture, African Islamic culture, Chinese Islamic culture and so there can be an American or Western Islamic culture. In each culture, there are many things that are constantly changing and evolving. In any particular country people are not living in the same was as they were living before. Their language, their food habits and the way they build their houses are constantly changing and evolving.
Wherever we live we should develop our distinct Islamic culture and we should collaborate and interact with people of diverse cultures. Our culture must be based on the Qur’an and Sunnah as well as on great human experience and learning. We should benefit from the knowledge of all people and we should be open to all knowledge in order to keep our culture strong and dynamic.
However, we should always keep in mind some basic features and characteristics of our Islamic culture. Wherever we live we should not forget these features. These features are constant and they are not negotiable. No Islamic culture can be without these features. These basic features are:
God-centered or Theocentric: We must uphold strict Tawhid (monotheism). We believe in divine guidance that came to us through God’s many prophets and messengers and finally through the Last Prophet Muhammad –peace be upon them all. We believe in life after death and the Day of Judgment. We emphasize worship and devotion: prayers, fasting, Zakat and Hajj. We also uphold that Allah has allowed us certain things and has forbidden us certain things. We emphasize the Halal and avoid the Haram.
Egalitarian, Tolerant and Fraternal: Secondly we must remember that all people are equal. We must not accept any color bias or racialism. We must recognize the worth and value of all human beings and all creation of God. We should uphold the freedom of religion and accept no compulsion in matters of religion. We must be tolerant of people of all faiths, especially the People of the Book. We must emphasize that all Muslims are brothers and sisters. The sense of brotherhood and sisterhood of faith must be very strong among us, regardless of sectarian or ethnic backgrounds.
Dignity and Morality: We must emphasize truthfulness, honesty, modesty (Haya’), cleanliness or Taharah. We are against extravagances, show off, or extremism. Our Islamic culture teaches self confidence and self reliance. It emphasizes charity and generosity. Our culture is family oriented with great emphasis on good spousal relations, good care of children, extended families, love and respect of the elders. We abhor adultery, fornication, homosexuality, gambling, or use of intoxicants. Wherever we live at any time and among any people we must uphold these values. We cannot be true Muslims if our culture compromises on these principles.
Dynamism, World Affirming but neither materialistic nor ascetic: We must emphasize struggle, change for good and better, social justice, removal of oppression and evil. Our culture must encourage learning, education, seeking of knowledge. We should emphasize both religious and scientific knowledge. We believe that all knowledge is important. We must emphasize open mindedness and willingness to accept the wisdom from any source. Islamic culture promotes good art, architecture, aesthetics, health, healthy environment and clean entertainment.
Non-exclusivist but Da’wah Oriented and Optimistic: Finally, we must strive to promote good things with wisdom and patience. Ours is not a dominating or colonizing culture; but it is also not an exclusivist and isolationist culture. We believe in inviting all people to Islam without coercion. Our culture teaches to listen and dialogue with others. We believe 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. 
Our challenge today is: How to be good individual, good family member, good neighbor, good citizens of our own country as well as good citizens of the world. We must learn how to be good Muslims and good human beings. There is no contradiction between the two. Actually we cannot be good Muslims unless we are good human beings.
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Editor: Akhtar M. Faruqui
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