| Answer: If we insist on giving the name
of Islamic civilization to a particular civilization, then, in my opinion, any
civilization which accepts these three fundamentals can be declared Islamic
despite a thousand variations in culture and tradition, way of living and
etiquette and customs:
1. Oneness of God
2. Unity of mankind
3. Eternal retribution on the basis of
deeds
These three things permeate a
civilization as its spirit and, with inconsequential divergences, accept every
structure for human civilization. Therefore, the same has happened in the
history of Muslims elapsed so far. Islam has played this very role in the
formation of civilization. Every civilization, according to its inclination and
capacity, adopted these fundamentals and moulded them in their peculiar frame.
This is the reason that any particular mould or frame should not be termed
Islamic civilization. These fundamentals became conspicuous in the Arab
civilization in a distinct manner. Later on, the coalescence with non-Arabs
imparted some new colours to it and now if western civilization also accepts
these fundamentals, then, with a few divergences, this civilization can also be
termed an Islamic civilization. |