The Role of Religion in Culture and Society

Fatima Muhammad Daoud

 

Abstract: This article reveals the vital relationship between culture and religion, emphasising how religion remains a core component of human civilisation. Religion is not just about spiritual belief, but it actively forms values, morals and identity, providing individuals and communities with a moral compass and a sense of purpose. Culture has reflected these values outwardly through behaviours, traditions, and customs, which demonstrate the deep interconnectedness between them. Using a combined descriptive and inductive approach, this article begins by examining the linguistic and conceptual meanings of religion and culture before exploring how each contributes to shaping society. Relying on Islamic sources and contemporary philosophical and social thought, this article seeks to explore how religion continues to influence both personal choices and collective behaviour. A sociological survey included in the article offers a deeper understanding of how people and communities perceive the relationship between religion and culture in contemporary life. The findings confirm that religion remains a powerful force in maintaining social balance, promoting moral life, and preserving cultural identity, especially in the context of globalisation and ideological transformations.