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1. The position of Arabia
- Islam was introduced in the land of the Arabs, which lies in West Asia.
| Direction | Border |
|---|---|
| North | The Syrian Desert |
| South | The Arabian Sea |
| West | The Red Sea |
| East | The Persian Gulf |
2. The Jahiliyyah period
- The period before Islam was introduced is called Jahiliyyah (الجاهلية).
- Meaning 1: a time when knowledge and good character did not prevail.
- Meaning 2: a time when a way of life contrary to Allah's guidance prevailed.
- This state existed not only in Arabia but in other countries too.
3. Society
The tribal system
Families → Shu'ub (clans) → Qaba'il (tribes) → Shaykh (leader)
- Families joined together to form shu'ub (clans).
- Clans joined together to form qaba'il (tribes; singular qabilah).
- Tribes were run under a leader called the shaykh.
- Apart from this, there was no system of government.
The reason
- The physical conditions of Arabia (scarce resources, great need).
- Those who herded animals had to compete for grass and water → they formed the tribal system to make themselves strong.
- The Quraysh, who looked after the Ka'bah, were regarded as the highest tribe; they were engaged in trade.
'Asabiyyah (عصبية) – tribal loyalty
- Over time the tribal system turned into fanaticism.
- Everyone devoted himself to the interests of the tribe.
- Being loyal to the tribe in every situation, without conditions was the rule; those who broke it were cast out.
Long wars
- Long struggles over even very small wrongs.
- A long war broke out because a tribe broke the leg of another tribe's camel that had grazed in its garden.
- A long war between the tribes of Aws and Khazraj.
- War needed men, and it needed poets to stir up and encourage the fighting.
- So the tribe held a celebration whenever a baby boy was born or a poet appeared.
- It was the custom for boys to be trained for war from childhood.
4. Religion
- There was no religion that could guide the people; only some rituals existed in the name of religion.
- The purity of the Ka'bah, built by Ibrahim (AS) for the worship of the One God, had been defiled:
- Idols were worshipped there.
- Men and women performed tawaf naked.
- They lived as mushrikun (those who associate partners with Allah).
A false belief in God
- They believed Allah was the Lord (Rabb), but not that He was the God (Ilah – the One worthy of worship).
- (10:31) – meaning: If asked who provides for them, who owns hearing and sight, who brings out the living from the dead, and who directs all affairs, they would say "Allah".
- The Quraysh's confidence when Abrahah came to destroy the Ka'bah – "The Lord of the Ka'bah will look after it" – also shows this.
- They regarded their gods as intermediaries for reaching Allah:
(39:3) – meaning: "We worship them only so that they may bring us closer to Allah."
The Ka'bah – a festival scene
- During the sacred months, pilgrims came to the Ka'bah → markets were held.
- Wrestling contests and poetry contests took place.
- Winning poems were hung on the Ka'bah and the poets were honoured → Arabic literature grew rich.
- The most important collection later written down: "as-Sab' al-Mu'allaqat" (السبع المعلقات) – the seven hanging poems.
5. Family
- There was no balance between men and women → no orderly family system; marriage customs were confused.
- In the upper-class tribes there was "nikah sahih" (proper marriage); there women were treated with honour.
- In other tribes there were many kinds of unions:
- Just as men had many wives, women also had many men.
- A son married his father's wife after his father died.
- Mut'ah (متعة) – temporary marriage.
- Mothers decided who the fathers of their children were.
- Because they lived as nomads, there was no settled, civilised way of life.
Inequalities
- Prisoners of war and people bought with money were treated as slaves; they had to work but had no rights at all.
- Women were mostly without rights: gathering firewood, cooking, carrying water, milking, spinning thread, caring for children.
- In some tribes there was the custom of burying baby girls alive.
6. Conduct
Bad conduct
- Murder, wine, interest (riba), adultery, revenge, highway robbery.
- These were regarded not as crimes but as matters of honour.
- It is reported that a man told his wife: "After I die, do not marry a man who does not know how to gamble or drink wine."
- Very few people kept away from these sins.
Good qualities
- Mastery of language (eloquence)
- Love of freedom
- Keeping one's word
- Hospitality
- Bravery
- Simplicity
These good qualities later helped the growth of Islam. The Prophet ﷺ transformed this very society, according to Allah's guidance, into a model society.
Quick revision
- Borders: north – the Syrian Desert; south – the Arabian Sea; west – the Red Sea; east – the Persian Gulf.
- Jahiliyyah = a time without knowledge and good character / contrary to Allah's guidance.
- Family → shu'ub → qabilah → shaykh; no system of government.
- 'Asabiyyah = unconditional tribal loyalty (fanaticism).
- They believed Allah was Rabb but not Ilah (10:31, 39:3).
- As-Sab' al-Mu'allaqat – the collection of poems hung on the Ka'bah.
- Nikah sahih (upper class), mut'ah (temporary marriage).
- Good qualities: eloquence, love of freedom, keeping one's word, hospitality, bravery, simplicity.