The concept of Civilization from the Western point of view and the Islamic point of view

Abstract

     This thesis explains the concept of Civilization from the Western point of view and the Islamic point of view as well. It clarifies the differences, dimensions and meanings in both ideologies. In western literature, there are two terms; culture and civilization. They are counterpart of three Arabic terms, which are Civilization, Culture, and Citizenship (الحضارة، الثقافة، المدنية).

     In the western view, the concept of civilization denotes spiritual and material development of the individuals and the community as well. The concept of Culture is called to the intellectual products of literature, art, science, and law.

     In the Arabic language the terms of “Civilization” and “Citizenship” imply residing in the cities, while the term “Culture” means experience and comprehension. That is why, sometimes the word Civilization is translated to الحضارة and sometimes, it is interpreted as المدنية.

     Civilization was defined in the Islamic Point of View as the material or spiritual product of the interaction between human, universe and life. Therefore, Culture implies the spiritual, and citizenship implies the material side, and the term “” contains both notions.

     The western understanding of the term “” means the values and moralities were popular in the European cities, because in Europe cities were the source of morality and values. In the Islamic view and history, the fact is opposite because the Islamic cities are sprung from the Islamic values and moralities, not vice-versa.

     In Europe, The term of civilization emerged during or after the collapse of the church. Thus, Civilization was considered as an anti-religion concept. From this perspective, the concepts like, civil state, civil laws, replaced the religious state, and religious state. This way, such concepts moved into our societies despite the big differences between the Islamic and Christian Religions

     As a result, the area of their religion was shrunk as to become a part of their civilization. This view of including the religion in the civilization is opposite to the Islamic perspective in which religion is as wide as to include civilization, therefore civilization has started from Islam, not the opposite way.