On the Misappropriation of Culture & the Centrality of Revelation

I had a reflection concerning the ‘urf discussion. Why do we spend so much time discussing ‘urf, which is secondary, when actually priorities dictate that we first focus on the universal manners and attitudes that are established by the sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh)? 

Sure Islam leaves a certain level of leeway for various cultural expressions, however, the sunnah establishes a sort of SUPER-CULTURE through its teachings in regards to manners and etiquette that should be followed and established first and foremost, then wherever there can be an allowable sub-cultural expression within that framework, fine.

This would return the focus and priority of the discussion to the wahy and the necessity of engaging in personal development before anything else. If we want to talk about culture, let us discuss how we can actualize Abu Ghudda’s “Islamic manners” in our lives!