ERA OF ISLAM

The country of Arabia where the Last Prophet of ALLAH (PBUH) was born in those days was for behind in culture and civilization from the countries mentioned above. There was, however, a time in ancient days when the Arabs conquered the lands of Babylon, Syria and Egypt and established powerful governments. They founded culture and civilization in those countries. Hammurabi the famous ruler of Babylon and well-known for this legislations belonged to that ancient Arabian lineage. The ancient Arabs also founded and developed their culture and civilization in Hadar Maud in the mainland of Arabia as well as in the Arab areas of eastern coast adjacent to the Gulf of Persia. But these cultures and civilization of the ancient Arabs are related to the pre-historic ages. In Arabian history, these nations are named as Arab-e-Baa-da’ or the Arabs who no longer exist. The “Aads” and “Thamuds” were from these ancient Arab nations among whom Prophets like Hazrat ‘Hud’ ‘Saleh’ (AS) were born.

          Before the advent of Islam, we find a civilization in Yemen. This was founded during the period of Saba dynasty (established in 1000 B.C. and lasted up to 300 B.C.) so, just before the advent of Islam; it was only Yemen in the whole of Arabia that was regarded as developed and cultured. But the people of this region were also idolaters. There were also some Jews and Christians among them.

          Thus, it is seen that with the exception of Yemen the whole of Arabia was uncivilized rather savage. The inhabitants of the country were divided into tribes, and every tribe was free to do whatever it liked. These tribes would frequently fight against one another. In case a man would kill a man of another tribe, it was thought necessary by the tribe of the person killed to take revenge from the killer’s tribe and thus a war would be started to linger on for years. In such wars, the other tribes also would take the side of one or the other fighting tribe. In such wars, thousands of people would lose their lives.

          Dacoit and highway robbery were common features. People would travel in caravans but the caravans too were not safe and secure. The highway robbers would often attack and loot the whole caravan. There were tribes who had adopted robbery as their occupation and they would take not counted as evils. To take someone’s life was not serious act. Often petty quarrels would result in bloody fighting and murders. Birth of a baby girl was thought shameful and a mark of contempt. So, there cruel men who would not hesitate to bury alive their innocent daughters just after they were born. And there was none who could take them to task for such cruel deeds.

          So Far as education was concerned, in Arabia at that time it was no better than nil, In Yasrib there were some Jews and Christians who could read and write but in the city of Mecca, the number persons able to read and write was only seventeen.

        At the place, which was called ‘Mecca’ later on, Hazrat Ibrahim (AS)(Abraham) and his son Hazrat Ismail (AS) had built a mosque or house of worship. Before this house was built it was a desolated place. The mosque built by Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) and Ismail (AS) was named as ‘KABA’ or ‘BAITULLAH’. Hazrat Ismail (AS) settled at that very place permanently and thereafter people began to come and settle at the place around ‘KABBA’. Thus, the city of Mecca was inhabited.

          So long as Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) and Ismail (AS) were alive, the people of Mecca worshiped only One ALLAH (SUBHANA WA TALA) but after them, they gradually forgot Him and started idolatry. Even ‘KABA’ was not spared. It is said that someone bought and installed one day an idol which was regarded and worshiped as a God. Thereafter people began to bring and install idols in ‘KABA’ one after another. As a result, in Ka'ba, the number of idols rose as many as there are days in a year. Every Tribe had an idol of its own. In Mecca, however, there were also people who worshiped only ALLAH (SUBHANA WA TALA), but their number could be counted on fingers.

          But the Arabs, with all their evils and vices, had some good qualities; also, as for example, they were very brave and bold people. They were very generous and true to their words. They loved their freedom and liberty. They did not have luxuries and passed very simple life. They were not idle and inactive but sturdy and hardworking people. Although they did not know how to read and write yet their language, Arabic, was a perfect one. Their poetry was on the speak and even today the Arabic poetry of those days is regarded as one of the best literature. They were great orators and were rightly proud of their oration. They would term non-Arabs as ’Ajami’ or ‘Dumb’ That is why ALLAH (SUBHANA WA TALA) selected this language for this Holy book AL-QURAN. The position of Arabian Peninsula on the globe also seemed very suitable for an international Message like Islam.

          So these were the conditions and situation in the world when Islam the Last Message of ALLAH (SUBHANA WA TALA) was revealed. It must be mentioned here that just before the advent of Islam people in many parts of the world were waiting for Last Prophet (PBUH) with the Last Message of the Creator.