The literal meaning of civilization is adornment, neatness and correction. A trained and educated person is known as civilized and cultured individual. Civilization refers to its ideas, lifestyle, behavior and general attitude.
Islamic Civilization refers to the way of life taught by Islam. The Holy Quran and Sunnah of the Holy Prophet () are the basis of Islamic Civilization. It is clear from the life of the Holy Prophet (s) and his life that the Muslim society has its own specific identity and its own identification. Muslims do not need to impersonate and imitate non-Muslims in matters of life, because the way of life given to Muslims is perfect in every respect.
Many nations came into existence in human history and each nation had a specific culture. Islamic Civilizations has a distinctive rank in all the civilizations of the world. It has a prominent place even in the present era. Islam is a glorious civilization. Not only the Muslims but the nations of the world have gained enlightenment from this. Islamic Civilization is a civilization with many characteristics and distinctions. Some of which are:
i. Absolute Belief in Monotheism
Absolute belief in the oneness of Allah is the basis of Islamic Civilization. Belief in monotheism is the element of Islamic Civilization without which this civilization can neither come into existence nor maintain its own identification.
ii. Love for the Holy Prophet
The most prominent feature of Islamic civilization is that the Holy Prophet has the position of the center and axis. The identity of the Muslim Ummah is related to the prophethood of the Messenger of Allah.
iii. The Concept of Accountability in the Hereafter
The main characteristic of Islamic Civilization is to have complete faith in the Hereafter and belief in accountability. The followers of Islamic Civilization live with the realization that on the Day of Judgment they will be accountable to Allah Almighty for their each and every action. It creates moderation and balance in life.
iv. Human Equality
Equality is an essential value of Islamic Civilization. The era of Holy Prophet Muhammad Jass) is the blessed era of the bright days of human history. It was the time when justice prevailed on Earth.
v. Universal Messages and Instructions
One of the major characteristics of Islamic Civilization is that all its messages and goals are universal. The Holy Quran has declared all human beings as one family on the basis of truth, welfare and civilization.
vi. High Moral Values
One of the most important characteristic of Islamic Civilization is that it gave priority to high moral values in all the code of life and activities of life. Hence, economics, Islamic laws, battle, family system, and other moral and social values, Islamic Civilization has a greater influence on all ancient and modern civilizations.
vii. Human Brotherhood and Generosity
An important characteristic of Islamic Civilization is tolerance of opposing points of view. Every person has full freedom to stick to his belief and act accordingly in this civilization. Islam created a spirit of unity and brotherhood among the scattered ranks of humanity. Ended enmity, envy, malice and grudge and made each other's mortal enemies brothers.
viii. Peace and Safety
Prophet Muhammad() was sent as a messenger of peace. If the covenant of Prophet Muhammad (saw) is reviewed in any context, then we will come to the conclusion that after the revolutionary efforts of Muhammad (d), peace was not only spread in the Arabian Peninsula itself, but the entire human race got the wealth of peace and contentment.
ix. The Importance of Knowledge
The first revelation that was revealed to the Prophet (s), began with the word Iqra, which means read.
Allah Almighty says:
اِقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِي خَلَق
Translation:
''Read with the name of your Lord who created (everything).'' (Surah Al-Alaq:1)
This order of education is an integral part of Islamic civilization. Islamic Civilization was based on the promotion of education and this noble initiative was taken in a society suffering from ignorance. This is the reason that wherever Islamic civilization has left it's effects, it has enlightened the society with knowledge and education.
These are some of the distinguishing features of Islamic Civilization in the history of world civilizations, when the world was dominated by government and empire, knowledge, wisdom and leadership of Muslims, Islamic civilization tend to attract the attention of every wise, sensible and knowledgeable person. But when its strength started to weaken, the nation that embraced it suffered degradation in knowledge and action, then the other nations overcame them.
