Separating Islam from the cultures of the people is very important as many people have linked some of these barbaric Cultural practices to Islam such as Honour killings, acid attacks, forced marriages, abuse of basic human rights. As a result some have left Islam because of these Cultural practises not to mention the propaganda from the media.
Dr Bilal Philips talks about the impact of culture on our practice of Islam and the importance of putting Islamic values before cultural values.
“It is He (Allah) Who sent among the unlettered ones a Messenger (Muhammad peace be upon him) from among themselves, reciting to them His Verses, purifying them (from the filth of disbelief and polytheism) and teaching them the Book (this Quran, Islamic laws and Islamic jurisprudence) and Al-Hikmah (As-Sunnah: legal ways, orders, acts of worship or the Prophet). And verily, they had been before in manifest error” (Surah Al-Jumaah 62:2)
Twins of Faith @ Malaysia, 24-25 December 2011 – Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC)