The impact of Islamic traditions in the UK for Muslim families
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The impact of Islamic traditions in the UK for Muslim families
Introduction
Being Muslim is based on personal and spiritual sense, and various events reveal how religion has transformed. A growing feeling of internationalism is attributed to the spread of Islamic culture to different parts of the World, for instance, the UK. Among most Muslims, more excellent stability, continuity of love and support is established when there are extended families. Faith affects absolutely everything done by Muslims, and this has enabled them to use modernity in strengthening their faith. Immersion into modernity has promoted equal participation and respect. As a minority group with a religious identity, unique dress codes are used in distinguishing Muslims from non-Muslims (Abd Wahab & Ahmad, 2018). The impacts of Islam among Muslims living in the UK include a changed identity and establishment of a rule of law that promotes equality among genders. Various sections will be examined; for example, section one will examine the implementation of Islamic traditions in the UK, while section two will analyze the impacts. This essay aims at providing an in-depth understanding of how Muslims in the UK handle criticism while devoting to cultural beliefs.
What is like being a Muslim in UK Today?
Section One: Implementation of Islamic Traditions
The presence of Islamic traditions has laid down principles for success in most unequivocal terms. In reference to the Quran, “Whoever earns honesty is a friend of Allah” (53:39). This indicates that individuals want to reap success in any endeavour. Most countries have echoed the efforts among Muslims. According to Grillo (2016), Muslims in the UK have referenced Islamic traditions as they opt to express religion in social affairs and the economy. These campaigns indicate that Islam is growing in the World despite being a minority group. Islamic traditions are compatible with the Western World that has found the religion the heart in finding solutions to significant challenges. Still, most Muslim scholars in the UK are interpreting the Quran in guiding how crucial societal issues are handled, for example, banking. Muslims in the UK are integrating Islamic traditions in society. Still, this aims at ensuring the growth of the economy as per the Islamic law. Indeed, the modern system of economies has focused on partnership and religious traditions such as Islam to guide how individuals interact and carry out processes in society.
Besides, the UK recognizes sharia laws which are applied to solve issues on inheritance and relations among neighbors. There is an understanding between Western and Muslim scholars that Islamic traditions include details on social life, economics and law. The UK has implemented Islamic traditions to offer an alternative focus, language and commitment towards a sense of national identity. For instance, concepts of Islam are being applied in various aspects of society as discussions on ecumenism have provided an understanding. Christians and Muslims coexist in society, and modern Muslim thinkers who have been accepted in the UK are valuing equality and the rule of law. The UK is incorporating Islamic traditions within a robust ethical framework that is based on the Prophet Muhammad’s teachings and the Quran. Muslims in the UK are absorbing and assimilating modern civilization but have maintained ethical values that are justly distributed in Islamic law.
Section Two: Impacts of Islamic Traditions
According to Malik et al. (2019), Muslim families in the UK are increasingly defining themselves based on Islamic traditions. An impact on Muslim families is that identity has been defined by active re-construction and re-evaluation of traditions inherited from parents. In this case, religion has been reflected on by Muslims to strategically respond to everyday racism that is rampant in the UK. Indeed, Islamic traditions have been used in generating a different view about Muslims. For example, Islamic concepts make it known that individuals reap success from their endeavor. According to Allah, “For each is that which he has earned and against each is only that which he deserved” (2:286). This Quran teaching has been used by Muslim families in the UK to approach the media that continuously represents Muslims as violent perpetrators of crime in society. In this case, Islamic traditions are used in shaping the identities of Muslims who find it challenging to exist in a society where they feel threatened. Allah asserts that reward is guaranteed to those who devote to maintaining efficiency and efforts in production.
Furthermore, the adoption of hijab among Muslim families is based on Islamic traditions. The impact is that families have used religion to address issues of prejudice and discrimination in the UK (The challenge of Islam in the UK, 2019). The hijab is of particular importance among Muslims. It is considered as a symbol of cultural identity and modesty among women. The impact of Islamic traditions is that Muslim families in the UK have maintained their culture of wearing hijab despite criticism and prejudice. Piety is a fundamental issue in Islamic tradition, and this is why women wear the hijab in public to limit attractiveness to men. Muslim families have expressed their identity and have taken more interest in their religion. Despite increased fear and vulnerability felt by Muslim women wearing traditional clothing, Islamic traditions have not been abandoned (Tariq & Syed, 2017). Victimization is not an emerging issue as previous studies indicate that Muslims who observe Islamic traditions have been discriminated in the workplaces and society. Despite heightened sensitivities on dress codes and appearance, Islamic traditions are essential to Muslim families in the UK (Johnson, 2017).
Another impact of Islamic traditions is that Muslims in the UK are confronting the concepts of science and technology being spread by the Western World. The Islamic attitudes have been governed by traditions such as Shahada which is a declaration of faith. Muslims in the UK have developed contrasting views about concepts of science and technology as they believe in revelation and inspiration. Many critics have arisen from value systems held by modern scientists who claim that knowledge is only based on reasoning. According to the Quran, knowledge is encompassed by socio-political and moral aspects which must be embraced by all individuals. Islamic traditions indicate that observation, experimental knowledge and rationality should be used in achieving goals while focusing on religious teachings (Hassan, 2018). The practice of Muslim families in the UK of upholding the Shahada is an indication that they are abiding by Islamic traditions.
Islamic traditions have been used in the development of Muslim law and statuses, which are governing Muslim immigrants in the UK. According to Steed (2020), Muslims are considered to be a religious minority due to Islam being a younger religion, but principles have been adopted in solving conflicts. The Islamic traditions emphasize on peace, for instance, Salam, means, “Peace be upon you.” Peaceful problem-solving approaches have been used in peacebuilding. Assimilated Muslim families in the UK have campaigned for the use of Islamic traditions in governance. Righteous ways of seeking livelihood have been focused on as Islam gives Muslims capacity and taste in practice honesty in work without adversely impacting their neighbors. According to Stevenson et al. (2017), Islamic traditions forbid individuals from encroaching on other individuals’ possessions through deceitful and illegal ways. This is the reason why Muslim families in the UK have distanced themselves from bribery and forms of corruption. They remain wary of their choices of work and stay devoted to Islamic traditions that emphasize duty, sincerity and obedience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this essay has provided insights into the various ways in which Islamic traditions are impacting Muslim families residing in the UK. The Islamic traditions focus on righteousness as it indicates that individuals who focus on good deeds will be rewarded by success. Muslim families in the UK have focused on love and spirituality and practised religious traditions that are crucial among Islam. Islam commands Muslims to acquire knowledge and to be progressive in achieving philanthropic goals. According to Prophet Muhammad, the reason is the root of faith. The Quran’s principles have significantly impacted Muslim families in the UK. They have abided by customs such as wearing of the hijab, which is a symbol of modesty. Discrimination and prejudice have not hindered Muslim families from referencing to the Islamic traditions that are heartily practised among the Islam community (Perraudin, 2019). Thus, Muslim families in the UK have observed Islamic traditions despite heightened intolerance and bias.
References
Abd Wahab, R. B. H., & Ahmad, S. (2018). MODERNIZATION AND ISLAMIC EDUCATION: MUSLIM WOMEN’S IDENTITY IN BRITAIN. Journal of Islamic, 3(8), 01-11.
Grillo, R. (2016). Muslim families, politics and the law: A legal industry in multicultural Britain. Routledge.
Hassan, Z. (2018, May 5). ‘Young British Muslims are becoming much more liberal – but they aren’t less religious as a result’. The Independent. https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/british-muslims-ipsos-mori-liberal-imams-islam-a8334196.html
Johnson, A. (2017). Getting comfortable to feel at home: clothing practices of black Muslim women in Britain. Gender, Place & Culture, 24(2), 274-287.
Malik, A., Qureshi, H., Abdul-Razakq, H., Yaqoob, Z., Javaid, F. Z., Esmail, F., … & Latif, A. (2019). ‘I decided not to go into surgery due to dress code’: a cross-sectional study within the UK investigating experiences of female Muslim medical health professionals on bare below the elbows (BBE) policy and wearing headscarves (hijabs) in theatre. BMJ Open, 9(3), e019954.
Perraudin, F. (2019, February 17). A third of Britons believe Islam threatens the British way of life, says the report. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/17/third-of-britons-believe-islam-threatens-british-way-of-life-says-report
Steed, L. (2020, January 4). The Muslim population of England smashes three million marks for the first time ever, figures reveal. The Sun. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/10669341/muslim-population-england-smashes-three-million-mark-for-first-time/
Stevenson, J., Demack, S., Stiell, B., Abdi, M., Ghaffar, F., & Hassan, S. (2017). The social mobility challenges faced by young Muslims.
Tariq, M., & Syed, J. (2017). Intersectionality at work: South Asian Muslim women’s experiences of employment and leadership in the United Kingdom. Sex Roles, 77(7-8), 510-522.
The challenge of Islam in the UK. (2019, August 1). Christian Concern. https://christianconcern.com/resource/the-challenge-of-islam-in-the-uk/