Conditions of Arab before Islam

Religious Condition
Before Islam Arab was the host of different religions. Below is the description of the
religions which were being followed by the people of Arab.

Polytheism
Polytheism was mostly being practiced by the people of Makkah. The person who
introduced idolatry in Arab was Amr bin Lahye. He brought some idols from Syria and introduced
it to the people of Makkah. The chief god in pre-Islamic Arabia was Hubal, the Syrian god of the
moon. The three daughters of Hubal were the chief goddesses of Meccan Arabian mythology:
Allāt, Al-‘Uzzá, and Manāt. Allāt was the goddess associated with the underworld. Al-‘Uzzá, “The
Mightiest One” or “The Strong,” was a fertility goddess, and she was called upon for protection
and victory before war. Manāt was the goddess of fate. Besides these major idols there were
countless minor idols. Every tribe had its own god.

Judaism
Jews were living in Arab from long time. They came from Rome. They were speaking
Arabic and Hebrew. The famous tribes of Jews living in Madinah were Banu Nuzair, Banu Qainqa
and Banu Quraiza. The other famous place where Jews were residing was Khybar. There were 7
forts of Jews in Khybar. Jews are followers of Prophet Musa (A.S). Their sacred book is Torah
which is also called Old Testament.

Christianity
The land of Arab was also house of Christians. They are living in Najran. The famous tribe
of Christian was Banu Ghasan. They follow the Prophet Isa (A.S). Their sacred book is called
Injeel or New Testament. Some of Christians were also living in Makkah. After the first revelation
Hazrat Khadija took his husband to his cousin Warqa bin Naufil who was a Christian monk.

Sabines
Sabines were the group of people who used to worship stars.

Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism is basically Iranian religion. In is invented by Zoroaster. They were also
living in Arab. Their sacred books were Avesta, Gatha. They worship fire.
Social Condition
The social conditions of Arabs were miserable before Islam. They were indulged in
different vices. Description is given below.

Burying the infant female

A savage custom of the Arabs was to bury their female infants alive. Even if an Arab did
not wish to bury his daughter alive, he still had to uphold this “honorable” tradition, being unable
to resist social pressures. It was male dominated society and female had no good status in the
society.

Drinking and gambling

Drinking wine was a common practice in the Arab before Islam. They used to drink wine
to such extent that they postpone important duties due to drinking wine. In addition to this they
were also involved in gambling. They used to lose their properties and respect in gambling.

Women status
The women were not enjoying good status in Arab before Islam. They were used as a child
production machine and for luxurious life. There were different kinds of marriages being practiced
in Arabia which shows the status of women.
Nikah Miqt: In this marriage a son marries with his mother when his father dies.
Nikah Baulah: A person having countless wives.
Nikah Zagheena: Tose women who were captured during war were sold or were gifted to friends
for illegal sex.
Nikah Shighar: A person marries a girl by offering his daughter to the father of his wife.
Nikah Istabza: A person used to send his wife to a handsome man for getting beautiful offspring.
Nikah Rabt: A female used to have ten or more then ten husbands.
Nikah Khadan: A couple of male and female used to have secrete relations.
Nikah Rayaat: Some women used to hoist falg in their houses. The flag was sign for invitation to
illegal relations.

Political Condition
There was no concept of state in Arab before Islam. There were different tribes. Every tribe
had its own chief. The chief of tribe was selected on the basis of bravery and wealth. They had no
proper constitution. Traditional rites were sources for governing. The poets used to serve as media
person in the tribe. They used to write poems which consist of events and conditions of tribe. There
was concept of city and village. Those who used to live in village were called Bedouins. Makkah
was a city-state and there was administrative system. Following were the administrative
departments in Makkah.
1. Hijabah: The guardianship of keys of Ka’bah.
2. Siqayah: Superintendence of the sacred well of Zamzam.
3. Diyat: Civil and criminal magistracy.
4. Sifarah: Legation
5. Liwa: Leadership in war
6. Rifadah: Administration of poor tax
7. Nadwa: Presidency of tribal assembly (Shura)
8. Khaimmah: guardianship of the council of chamber
9. Khazinah: Administration of public finance.
10. Azlam: guardianship of divine arrows.

Judicial System
All cases of disputes were referred to mediator who was called Hamakam. His verdicts
were considered to be final.

Economic Condition
Slavery was an economic institution of the Arabs. Male and female slaves were sold and
bought like animals, and they formed the most depressed class of the Arabian society. The caravan
trade was basic to the economy of Makkah, and its organization called for considerable skill,
experience and ability. In some places there was agriculture system. Jews were the owners of the
best arable lands in Hijaz, and they were the best farmers in the country. Usury (riba) was widely
practiced in Mecca, for in order to participate in the profitable caravan trade many a Meccan who
had only a modest income had to resort to usurers.
Life at Makkah before Prophethood
Birth and Babyhood
The historians are of different point of view about the birth date of Holy Prophet
Muhammad (P.B.U.H.). Ibn Ishaq mentioned 12th Rabiul Awal as birth date. His grandfather
Abdul Mutalib named him as Muhammad. The mother of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) fed him
her milk first. After some days Hazrat Suaiba fed her milk to him. There was a tradition in Arab
that they used to send their children to villages for learning pure languages and traditional values.
Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) was handed over to Haleema Sadia who was from Hawazin
tribe.she kept him for two years in her village and brought him back to Makkah. But epidemic was
spread in Makkah at that time. So, Hazrat Aminah requested to take him back. At the age of Six
years the mother of Prophet Muhammad died. She was on journey to Madinah with his son. She
breathed her last on the way in place called Abwa.

Boyhood
After the death of his mother Prophet Muhammad was looked after by his grandfather
Abdul Mutalib. But he too passed away soon. At the age of eight years his grandfather passed
away and he was looked after by his uncle Abu Talib. At the age of ten Prophet Muhammad used
to take the herd of goats in the field to graze. Abu Talib was a trader and Quryash used to go to
Syria for trade once a year. The Prophet was twelve years old when he joined his uncle for a trade
journey to Syria.

Battle of Fijjar and agreement of Fizool

This battle was fought between Quraysh and Qays tribe. Prophet participated in this battle
he did not fight. He was helping his uncle by providing him arrows. After the end of battle people
returned to home. Zubair bin Mutalib who was uncle of Prophet raised the issue for agreement. So
the family of Banu Banu Hashim, Banu Zahra and Banu Taym gathered at the house of Abdullah
bin Jad’an. They signed an agreement that they would support oppressed and oppose oppressor.
They would force the oppressor to leave Makkah.

Life at Makkah after Prophethood

Revelation
One day, he was worshipping Allah in the cave of Hira when an angel appeared in front of
him. All of a sudden, the angel said, ‘Read’ but he replied, ‘I will not read. It was the very first
revelation he received. Memorizing these Ayahs, he came home with his heart trembling due to
this sudden occurrence. He asked his family members to cover him with a blanket. Khadijah took
him to her paternal cousin ‘Warqah Bin Nawfil’ who was a monotheist. Fed-up with polytheism
and idol-worship, he had become a Christian and had translated the book ‘Injeel’ from Hebrew to
Arabic. He was very old and had lost his eyesight. Hazrat Khadijah said to him, ‘Brother! Please
listen to what your nephew says.’ Warqah Bin Nawfil asked him what he had seen.
He told him everything that had happened in the cave of Hira. Listening to it, Warqah Bin Nawfil
said, ‘This is the very same angel Allah sent to Hazrat Musa.’ Warqah Bin Nawfil then said, ‘If
only I were healthy and young at the time of the declaration of your Nubuwwah! If only I had
remained alive until your nation would turn you out of Makkah!’ Listening to it, he said ‘Will the
people of Makkah turn me out of Makkah?’ Warqah replied, ‘Yes, whoever declared Nubuwwah
as you have done faced enmity from people.’
Three Years of Secret Preaching
For three years, he continued to fulfil the obligation of Islamic preaching very secretly and
confidentially. During this period, Hazrat Khadijah among women, Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq
among free men, Hazrat ‘Ali among boys and Hazrat Zayd Bin Haarisah among slaves were the
first to embrace Islam. This group of fortunate people who were the first to embrace Islam was
known as ‘Sabiqeen Awwaleen’
Open Invitation to Islam
Allah revealed the Ayah of Surah Ash-Shu’ara, to His Beloved Nabi, commanding him to
warn his close relatives of the Divine punishment. Hence, one day, while standing on the peak of
the Safa mount, he called out the people of the Quraysh, saying:. After all of them gathered, said,
‘O my nation! If I say that an army is hiding behind this mountain and is going to attack you, will
you believe me?’ All of them replied in chorus, ‘Yes, we will definitely believe you because you
have always spoken the truth and are trustworthy.’ He then said, ‘I warn you of the Divine
retribution. If you do not believe in Islam, you will be given the Divine retribution.’ Listening to
it, all the people of the Quraysh including Abu Lahab who was a paternal uncle of him became
extremely angry and went away, talking nonsense. He started preaching Islam publicly and
condemning polytheism and idol-worship openly. As a result, the entire Arabia including all the
people of the Quraysh and Makkah opposed him, causing harm to him and to Muslims
permanently.
First migration to Abyssinia
The disbelievers of Makkah treated Muslims so cruelly and oppressively that Muslims
found it extremely difficult to live a life. Hence the Greatest and the Noblest Nabi ordered Muslims
to migrate to Abyssinia to seek refuge. The migration took place in 5th year of Prophethood. 11
men and 4 women migrated to Abyssinia. The name of the king of Ethiopia was Ashamah. His
title was Najaashi. He was a strict but just and merciful Christian who was also an outstanding
scholar of the Torah and the Injeel.
Second Migration to Abyssinia
A false news was spread that the disbelievers of Makkah had become Muslims. Listening
to it, some of those who had migrated, returned to Makkah from Abyssina. Later they came to
know that the news was false. Hence some of them returned to Abyssinia, whereas others remained
secretly in Makkah. The disbelievers of Makkah traced them and treated them even more cruelly.
The Holy Prophet ordered them to go to Abyssinia once again. Therefore, eighty three oppressed
Muslim men and eighteen Muslim women migrated to Ethiopia, including those who had returned
from Ethiopia.
Envoys of Quraish in the court of Najashi
Quraish sent Amr bin Al-Aas and Ammarah bin Waleed as their envoys to the court of
Najashi. They complained that these Muslims are wanted and they have taken refuge in your
country. Please hand over these wanted people to us. King called the Muslims and Hazrat Jafar
spoke in the royal court and defended his Muslim group by saying that Allah has sent a messenger
to us. He taught us to worship only one God, to not steal, prevented us from cruelty. These people
tortured us and we left our homes and took refuge here in your country. The king was very
impressed. Envoys of Quraish complained that these people have strange believe about Prophet
Isa. Hzrat Jafr recited the verses from Surah Maryam. King agreed with Muslims and ordered the
envoys to leave.
Shib Abi Talib (Three years of seclusion)
During the seventh year of the declaration of Nubuwwah, the disbelievers of Makkah
noticed that the number of Muslims was increasing day by day and extremely brave men of the
Quraysh, i.e. Hazrat Hamzah and Hazrat ‘Umar had also joined the fold of Islam. They became
very angry and lost temper. All the leaders of the Quraysh and other disbelievers of Makkah
decided to isolate the family of the Holy Nabi forcing them into living at a narrow and dark place
and preventing them from having access to any food and drink so that they would be ruined
completely. Therefore, following this cruel suggestion, all the leaders of the Quraysh made the
following agreement:
Unless the Bani Haashim hand over the Holy Prophet to them in order to be killed,
(a) no one will marry to anyone from the family of the Banu Haashim; (b) no one will sell anything
to them nor will anyone purchase anything from them; (c) no one will meet them nor will anyone
say Salam to them and nor will anyone talk to them (d) no one will let any food and drink reach
them.
Abu Taalib along with the Holy Prophet and all other relatives took refuge in the valley called
‘Shi’b Abi Taalib’. All of them started living in the narrow and dark valley like prisoners. These
were very tough times and the Banu Haashim faced this situation for three years. The Banu
Haashim used to boil leaves and dry pieces of leather and eat them. Their children would cry day
and night in extreme hunger and thirst but stone-hearted and cruel disbelievers would not give
them anything and would keep a watch so that no food and drink could reach them.
The agreement of this boycott was hanged in Ka’bah. Holy prophet tolf the Quraish that insects
have eaten the agreement. Nothing is left except the name of Allah. Abu Talib said I am of the
opinion that you bring the manuscript and see it. If insects have really eaten it, then you should
tear it and throw it away. And if what my nephew says turns out to be wrong, then I will hand him
over to you. Thus the seclusion ended.
The Year of Grief
After the Holy Prophet came out of ‘Shi’b Abi Taalib’ and remained peacefully at his home
from the cruelties of disbelievers just for a few days, Abu Taalib fell ill and passed away within
the period of eight months. The death of Abu Taalib was a huge shock to the Holy Peophet because
Abu Taalib had brought him up very affectionately and had helped him selflessly at every stage of
life, defending him strongly against his enemies. He could not forget all these things. The heart of
the Holy Nabi was still aching for Abu Taalib. Just three or five days after his death, Hazrat
Khadijah also passed away. After Abu Taalib, she was the next most sincere helper and supporter
of the Holy Nabi in Makkah. She spent her wealth as well as her time serving for Holy Prophet.
Holy Propphet declared this year as ‘Year of giref’.
Journey to Taif
Due to the disobedience, defiance and enmity of the people of Makkah, he felt disappointed
that they would not embrace Islam. Hence, he went to the outskirts1 of Makkah in order to preach
Islam over there. He went to different areas including Taif. During his journey to Taif, he was
accompanied by his slave – Hazrat Zayd Bin Haarisah Taif was the city of the rich and the upper
class. Among well-to-do [i.e. rich] families, the family of ‘Amr’ was considered the chief of all
other tribes. These were three brothers whose names were ‘Abd-e-Yaleel Mas’ood and Habib. He
went to these three brothers and invited them to Islam but they did not accept his invitation. Instead,
they gave a very improper and blasphemous [i.e. disrespectful] reply. These unfortunate people
even provoked a gang of Taif into tormenting him. This vicious and violent gang surrounded him
and started stoning him until his blessed feet were covered in blood.2 His blessed socks and
slippers were also filled with blood. When he sat down in severe pain, they would grab his blessed
arm and make him stand up. When he started walking again, they would start stoning him again,
taunting, swearing, clapping and laughing. Hazrat Zayd Bin Haarisah would run to shield [i.e.
protect] him by standing ahead of and behind him. He was also covered in blood and lost control.
At last, he took refuge in the garden of grapes. This garden belonged to Utbaah bin Rabeeah who
was arch enemy of Islam. Seeing the Holy Prophet in this condition he allowed him to take shelter
in the garden. He offered the grapes through his slave Addaas. Addaas was a Christian from
Neenwa. When Holy Prophet started eating grapes by reciting Bismillah, Addaas got surprised and
asked people of this area do not say such words. Holy Prophet asked him Where do you come
from? He replied that I am from Neenwa. Holy Prophet told him that Propphet Yunus was also
from Neenwa and he was Prophet like me. Addaas started kissing the hands and feet of Holy
Prophet and became Muslim.
During the same journey, he reached the place called ‘Nakhlah’ where he recited the Holy Quran
in Tahajjud Salah at night. A group of jinns from ‘Naseebayn’ came. Listening to the Holy Quran,
all of them became Muslims. These jinns then returned and informed their nation about it. Then,
large groups of jinns came to Makkah and accepted Islam. Allah has mentioned it in the beginning
Ayahs of Surah Al-Jinn.

First Pledge of Aqbah

Many people were visiting Makkah on business or as pilgrims to the Ka'ba. During the
pilgrimage season in the eleventh year of Prophethood the Prophet (pbuh) along with his two
Companions 'Ali and Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with them) met with six men from Yathrib
as they were passing by 'Aqabat Mina. Holy Prophet invited them towards Islam and they accepted.
On the following year they came with seven persons more. Thus 12 people came to Propphet
Muhammad. They vowed their faith in Muhammad (Peace be upon him) as a Prophet and swore:
“We will not worship anyone but one Allah; we will not steal; neither will we commit adultery,
nor kill our children; we will not utter slander, intentionally forging falsehood and we will not
disobey you in any just matter.” When they had taken the pledge, Muhammad (Peace be upon him)
said: “He who carries it out, Allâh will reward him; and who neglects anything and is afflicted in
this world, it may prove redemption for him in the Hereafter; and if the sin remains hidden from
the eyes of the men and no grief comes to him, then his affair is with Allâh. He may forgive him
or He may not. After the pledge the Propeht sent Musab bin Umair as an envoy with them to
Madinah.

Second Pledge of Aqbah

Due to the efforts of Hazrat Musab bin Umair Islam spread among the tribes of Ansar. Next
year 13th Nabvi 73 men and 2 women came to Makkah with the carvan. The group arrived at the
same place of Uqbah in the dark of night. The Prophet went to them with Hazrat Abbas. Hazrat
Abbas said to them that do you know Quraysh are arch enemies of Prophet Muhammad. Inviting
Prophet Muhammad to Madinah means to have enemity with Quryash and to invite a war. Hoy
prophet asked them that will you support me to your best in the propagation of true religion. If I
migrate to your city, will you support me and my companions as you support your family member?
The delegation replied O Prophet tell us for our satisfaction that you would not ever leave us. The
Prophet replied, No, my life and death will be with you. Hearing this they offered their pledge.