What is the concept of culture and tradition?

Introduction

In Malaysia, especially for those Malay societies are full with their cultural belief that grown from the early generation of Malays ancestors. The Malay was being known from their culture and tradition. But how far is the truth of those culture and tradition to be followed? Is there any possibility those cultural belief are parallel with Islamic kind of views?

Allah SWT had given a special or divine guidance for all Islamic followers. The last of prophet, Muhammad SAW, had given by Allah SWT His words for Muhammad to put in and kept in a book or Holy Scripture called al-Qur’an. This is a book that should be followed by all believers as Allah SWT had promises for all followers, this book contain the concept of divinity, morality and education that valid until the end of the time.

“We have brought them a Book elucidating everything with knowledge, as guidance and a mercy for people who believe.” (Surat al-A’raf: 52)

The false concept in culture and tradition

When we born into this world, we’ll introduced by our parents, families, relatives or friends the tradition of our culture no matter what races you are, whether you are Malays, Chinese, Indians, Europeans or Westerns. Every race had given by Allah SWT the specialities for their own lifestyles. But do we ever think or tried to be know by doing some research the truth of our culture? Most of you maybe suit of it, didn’t want to think, never want to know or scare the culture will harm you. Aren’t you?

As I’ve found out from Malay societies, there are still many errors in their beliefs and it should be taken out from their lifestyle before it’s too late. As an example:

The Malays belief, an engagement must be done before married. During engagement, no matter how long it takes, whether it takes 2 or 3 years, you should have a house, car or everything.

This is not the way accordance in Quranic knowledge. The Malays should change the perspective of this kind of belief. An engagement is a way to communicate well between two families involved. The engagement period must be done between 2-3 months to prevent the couples doing wrong by doing sex without a well marriage in Allah’s will. Actually, this is not the originality of Malays culture but the addition of the western lifestyle. The Malays are way out of Islamic border as been infected by the culture of the western.

The other nonsense belief is when a girl singing while cooking in the kitchen, the girl will married an old guy. Where is the truth of this belief? Singing is a kind of act to entertain herself or everyone and to express her happiness or sadness by giving a tone of voice using mouth. What is the relation of logically between singing and an old man? Unless, an old man was pass by the girl house while she cooking and attracted to the girl’s voice.

But the worst belief in Malays is the belief of spiritual and superstitious affecting their lifestyle. It’s deniable to rejected the existence of Allah’s other living creation such as Gin, Genie or an evil spirit. Even in the 6 faith in the Islamic pillar, the Muslims should belief the existence of spiritual things. But when we get a help from a witchdoctor or voodoo deeds and believes their help us to get rid of those spiritual disturbance, we are way out of Islamic knowledge. Only Allah’s wills, can save us from those spiritual things.

“Everything in the heavens and Earth glorifies Allah. He is the Almighty, the All-Wise. The kingdom of the heavens and Earth belongs to Him. He gives life and causes to die. He has power over all things. He is the First and the Last, the Outward and the Inward. He has knowledge of all things. It is He Who created the heavens and Earth in six days, then established Himself firmly on the Throne. He knows what goes into the ground and what comes out of it, what comes down from heaven and what goes up into it. He is with you wherever you are–Allah sees what you do.” (Surat al-Hadid, 1-4)

From the verses of stated above, we can surely know, only Allah the best place we ask for protection, help, and prosperity. Whatever belief, culture or tradition you are believe, if it’s not in the line of Quranic view, Allah will never accepted without His will. But for Allah SWT, this kind of belief never concerns Him unless those beliefs are accordance with al-Qur'an and Sunnah. As Allah had stated in one of His verse in the Qur'an:

“We have sent down the Book to you making all things clear and as guidance, mercy and good news for the Muslims.” (Surat an-Nahl: 89)


CONCLUSION

Allah had nominated Muhammad as the last of prophet and be His messenger to all believers. Before Muhammad leave his followers, he has collect and gather altogether the divine scripture as guidance for those believe called al-Qur'an. This is a powerful weapon of Islamic believers to follow as its containing divinity, spiritual and knowledge.

“If it had been from other than God, they would have found many inconsistencies in it,” (the Qur’an, 4:82)

Therefore, whatever kind of belief the cultural and tradition you are, it’s unacceptable unless its accordance with Allah’s will. Don’t try to ignore what Allah had given to human to follow. If you want to have a good life in this world and the hereinafter, believe what He has given us to follow. Don’t do whatever you believe. Believe what He already stated because it’s only Allah the Lord of all things whether in the earth, universe, hell or heaven. We as human just borrow this earth just a temporary time of period. After this, we’ll gather for the Judgment Day and it’s the beginning of timelessness.

“Yes, everything in the heavens and Earth belongs to Allah. Yes, Allah’s promise is true, but most of them do not know it. He gives life and causes to die, and you will be returned to Him.” (Surah Yunus, 55-56)




Glory be to You.
We have no knowledge except what You have taught us.
You are the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.
(Surat al-Baqarah, 32)

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