Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura
Friday Sermon
24 April 2026 / 6 Zulkaedah 1447H
Islam and Culture
Zumratal mukminin rahimakumullah,
Let us have taqwa towards Allah s.w.t. with true consciousness. Obey all His commands and refrain from all His prohibitions. Align our way of life with His divine guidance. May Allah s.w.t. shower His blessings and mercy upon us all. Amin, ya Rabbal ‘Alamin.
Beloved Friday congregation,
What is the first thing that comes to mind when we speak about culture? And what role does culture play in the life of a Muslim?
Insya-Allah, today’s sermon will discuss culture through the lens of Islam.
My dear brothers, culture refers to practices and norms that are passed down from generation to generation – whether in speech or in action – and are associated with a particular community or people. At times, there is an overlap between cultural practices and religious observance. Today, there are more than two billion Muslims across the world.
Naturally, our lives are shaped by diverse cultures. The question then arises: what is Islam’s perspective on this?
My dear brothers,
Islam recognises the existence and diversity of cultures. In verse 13 of Surah Al-Hujurat, Allah s.w.t. explains that humanity was created into diverse nations and tribes so that we may come to know one another. Culture is therefore part of a community’s identity, and it is something which we are encouraged to learn and understand.
As such, we should not hastily reject or change a cultural practice simply because it differs from our own norms. At the same time, we must not stubbornly defend cultural practices that clearly contradict the teachings of Islam. This is the balance that Islam calls us to uphold.
Respected congregation,
Indeed, the default ruling of cultural practices is permissibility, so long as they are in line with the guidance of the Shariah.
This is because Islam is not a religion that opposes culture. Rather, Islam refines and guides culture so that it aligns with the values of faith. In this regard, scholars have explained that the relationship between Islam and culture can be understood through several approaches:
First, there are cultural practices that are recognised and reinforced by Islam.
Practices such as honouring guests, working together as a community, and extending help to those in need are deeply rooted in our culture. Islam affirms these practices, making them acts that are rewarded and encouraged.
In fact, such practices are signs of a person’s perfection of faith.
Second, there are cultural practices that are guided and corrected by Islam.
For example, it was common in pre-Islamic Arabia to support one’s family or tribe in disputes, regardless of whether they were right or wrong. The Prophet s.a.w. corrected this blind loyalty by introducing a framework rooted in justice – supporting one’s brother entails stopping him from committing injustice, and by helping him when he is oppressed. This is derived from the hadith of the Prophet s.a.w., which means:
“Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or oppressed.” (Reported by al-Bukhari).
This clearly shows that Islam reshapes inherited culture to align with justice and truth.
Third, there are cultural practices that Islam dismisses, as they contradict religious values.
These include practices such as consuming intoxicants. Islam is firm in rejecting such practices as they erode moral character and harm society.
Dear congregation,
In a plural and cosmopolitan society, cultural differences can sometimes lead to differing views. Some may be quick to reject other cultures simply because they are different, while others may accept all forms of culture without any religious guidance. Islam provides us with a balanced approach:
First, cultural diversity should be seen as a strength, not a flaw. Differences in society are meant to be appreciated, not erased. Not everything that is different is wrong. For instance, although many Muslims here are of Malay background, Malay customs should not be imposed on Muslims from different cultures. Mutual respect in cultural interactions is the foundation of a harmonious society.
Second, good cultural practices should be guided by the values of faith. Practices such as wearing modest attire, observing good manners, and maintaining strong family and community ties should be preserved. They must be guided by religious teachings so that they are not merely customs, but acts of worship that reflect our faith in Allah s.w.t.
Third, we must be mindful and discerning in evaluating cultural practices. Not all cultural practices must be preserved.
At times, we must have the courage to leave practices that are not aligned with Islamic teachings. However, such change must be carried out with wisdom and in stages, as seen in the gradual prohibition of intoxicants in Islam.
In our society, there are still efforts to preserve certain practices that contradict Islam due to a lack of sound knowledge.
Examples include some cultural practices such as kuda kepang which contain elements of superstition, or reliance on talismans and charms for protection. All these require careful reflection grounded by our faith and the conviction to make change with wisdom.
Dear brothers and sisters,
In conclusion, it is indeed our challenge today to approach and align both culture and religion with wisdom. However, it is something which we must strive towards. As a well-known Malay saying goes: “Custom is grounded by the Shariah, and the Shariah is founded upon the Book of Allah.” Religion serves as our guide, while culture serves as the vessel through which we live out noble values in our daily lives.
Let us strive to be a community that practices culture guided by faith. May we become a society that is harmonious, knowledgeable, and wise in living out the teachings of Islam. Amin, ya Rabbal ‘Alamin.
Second Sermon
