In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful
We praise Him and invoke His blessings upon His Noble Messenger
With the Blessings and Mercy of God

Chapter One
The State of Arabia and Its People before the Rise of Islam

The Location, the Basis for the Name and the Boundaries

Looking at the map of the world, we see a large rectangular peninsula in southwest Asia to the west of India. This is the country of Arabia where Muhammad (sas) was born. Historians disagree on the basis of the name of Arabia. Some of them are of the opinion that the word Arab has a connotation of eloquence and articulation, and that the Arabic language also enjoys a distinctive position with respect to this connotation—therefore the country acquired the name of Arabia. Others think that it is called Arabia because of it being a desert and due to its sparse population.

Since Arabia has water on three sides—the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman on the east, the Red Sea on the west, and the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Sea on the south—and desert on the fourth side, it came to be known as the Arabian Peninsula.

The Area and the Topography

Arabia is about 1.2 million square miles in area, with an average length of 1,600 miles and a width of 700 miles. Geographically, the country can be divided into three parts with respect to its height above the sea level. The first part is the coastal area consisting of flat plains; the second is the mountainous area (the country to a large extent depends on the produce from the valleys of this area); and the third is the desert which is generally barren and uninhabited.

The Climate and the Agriculture

Arabia contains no famous or noteworthy rivers. There are occasional seasonal streams and spring canals that are beneficial only during the rainy season. Otherwise, the country primarily consists of uninhabitable desert.

The Tropic of Cancer passes through the middle of Arabia; therefore the climate is generally hot and dry. Summer brings severe—and sometimes deadly—winds, known as the pestilential winds. When these winds blow, the trees lose their color, animals and birds appear anxious and humans fear prolonged exposure, which could lead to suffocation and death.

The major produce of this land is the date, which is the primary means of sustenance for the entire country. Grapes, figs, and pears are also produced wherever water is found though water is quite scarce. Within Hijaz1, Ta’if is particularly known for its agriculture. In some coastal plains and the valleys of the mountains, barley and millet are also planted. Beans and lentils are found abundantly in most places.

Regarding animals, Arabian horses are renowned throughout the world. The Arabian camel is well recognized for its ability to travel for long durations without food and water, and for this reason is sometimes referred to as the “desert plane.” Donkeys are found in all parts of the country. Other animals include tigers, leopards, deer, goats, and wild donkeys, though in sparse numbers. The Ostrich is also a quite well-known animal of Arabia.

The Major Regions of Arabia

The following are the primary regions of the country:

1. Hijaz: Hijaz is a famous mountainous region along the Red Sea spreading from Yemen to Syria. Makkah, Madinah, Ta’if, and Jeddah are located in this region.

2. Yemen: Yemen, because of its mountain streams, is a very green and fertile land towards the south of Arabia. The nation of Sheba2 mentioned in the Qur’an once occupied this land. San‘a’ is a famous city of this land. Aden and Al-Hudaidah’s seaports are also part of this land. Najran is an adjoining city towards the northwest of Yemen. The Christians of this area were invited by Muhammad (sas) to a prayer duel.

3. Najd: Najd is a vast and fertile land in central Arabia. The tribes of Ghatafan and Sulaim, which will be mentioned later in this book, occupied this land. Yamamah, which is towards the southeast of Najd, is famous because Musailamah, the Liar, a false claimant to prophethood, was born in this province. He was killed during the time of Abu Bakr Siddiq (ra) by Wahshi, (who had killed Hamza (ra), uncle of Muhammad (sas) prior to accepting Islam).

4. Khaibar: Khaibar is a small region northwest of Hijaz. It was a major center for the Jews during the time of Muhammad (sas). Taima, which is to the northeast of Khaibar, was also mainly Jewish. The famous historical place of Al-Hijr or Mada’in Salih is located close to Taima. The nation of Thamud3 lived at this place and their destruction is attributed to their denial of Salih (as). When Muhammad (sas) passed this place on his way to the Battle of Tabuk, he asked the revered companions to throw away the dough made with the water of this place and depart quickly. The land of Midian where Moses (as) was married is to the west of Al-Hijr towards the coastal area.

5. Hadramaut: Hadramaut is a famous place east of Yemen. The territory of Muhra is also located towards the east of Hadramaut.

6. Oman: Oman is towards the east of Arabia; its capital is Muscat.

7. Al-Ahqaf: Al-Ahqaf is a vast and famous region between Yamamah and Hadramaut. The nation of ‘Ad, to whom Hud was sent, lived in this region.

8. Al-Hisa’ (or Al-Ahsa): Al-Hisa’ is a coastal area towards the east and next to the Persian Gulf. The islands of Bahrain are close to it; therefore, sometimes Al-Hisa’ is refered to as Bahrain. Pearls are often dug up from the coastal area of Bahrain.

People

Arabia is sparsely populated on account of a shortage of rain, vastness of the desert and limited agriculture. Nevertheless, a population of 7 to 8 million inhabits the country, which is sizeable considering the conditions.

With respect to the races living there, historians have divided Arabian tribes into the following groups:

1. ‘Aribah (Ancient Arabs): These are the ancient and original tribes of Arabia, which have been further divided into two groups:

   1. Ba’idah (Perished or Extinct Arabs): The Ba’idah are the ancient and original tribes that vanished well before Islam, whose detailed history is not available because of the early ages in which they existed. However, we know that ‘Ad, Thamud, Tasm, Jadis, and Jurhumul-Ula’ were well-known tribes among them. They are referred to as Ba’idah since they seem to have vanished with no preserved historical records.

   2. After Ba’idah, there was the period of Banu Qahtan. Banu Qahtan originally lived in Yemen, and later spread out into all of Arabia. According to some traditions, they were descendents of the children of Hud (as)4. It is especially noteworthy that the Aus and the Khazraj tribes of Madinah are offshoots of Banu5 Qahtan.

2. Musta‘ribah (Arabized Arabs): This group included mostly the descendents of Ishmael (as). Since they migrated from outside Arabia, they were known by the name of Musta‘ribah or mixed Arabs. They were concentrated in Hijaz. They were also known by the name of ‘Adnani after ‘Adnan who was a prominent person among the descendants of Ishmael (as). The Quraish tribe of Arabia, into which Muhammad (sas) was born, was also a branch of Banu ‘Adnan.

Pre-Islamic Civilization and Society

The people of Arabia led a barbaric life before the advent of Islam. They were entirely isolated from the external world with respect to their civilization and society. As far as government was concerned, Arabia was never centrally governed at any time throughout pre-Islamic history, though at the time of the peak of Banu Qahtan, a few local governments gained some broader powers. Besides, every tribe was independent with its chieftain. These tribes considered it a disgrace to bow their heads before any other tribe.

The diet and attire of the Arabian people was quite simple and primitive. Most people moved around like nomads with their tents and other necessary provisions on the backs of their camels and lodged wherever they found pastures and water. Because of an abundance of camels and goats, they very often consumed milk with dates. Tharid was also a popular food of the Arabs that was prepared by soaking bread in a soup.

Because of their uncivilized and barbaric lifestyle, attire generally consisted only of a piece of cloth around the waist with a shirt being worn only by a few elites. The bed generally consisted of a date palm mat, although the upper class people living in towns and cities owned wooden beds. The ancient Arabian poets have very clearly sketched this way of life in their poetry.

Trading usually consisted of an exchange of commodities but the dirham and auqiyya, two silver coins were also used. One auqiyya was equivalent to 40 dirhams. A gold coin was called a dinar. The measuring scale for commodities was a “handful.”

Trade and Poetry

Trading was the most common occupation in Arabia. During the time of Muhammad (sas), the trading caravans of the Quraish of Makkah would regularly go north towards Syria in the summer and south towards Yemen during the winter.

In Arabia, large fairs were held at different places during the year, which were attended by traders and poets from distant places. In addition to poetry and trade, these fairs had an abundance of amusement and entertainment. ‘Ukaz in Hijaz, San‘a’ in Yemen, Al-Mushaqqar in Bahrain, Dummatul-Jandal near Syria, and Waja in Oman were particularly famous for these fairs.

Every tribe had its own poet and the tribe’s honour and fame depended on his poetic prowess. The poets’ influence extended to the point that their rhetoric would sometimes ignite fires of enmity between tribes and even lead to civil wars. Their retentive faculties were so remarkable that they could memorize very long eulogies that they had heard only once or twice.

Customs and Habits

Drinking, gambling, and fornication were so rampant that people would shamelessly boast about their illicit deeds and indulgences. The poet who did not mention his personal beloved—real or imagined—before narrating the stories of the tribe’s bravery and courage was not deemed entertaining. The famous Qasidah (a poem in praise of another person) of Banat Su‘ad (also known as Qasidah al-Burdah) presented by Ka‘b bin6 Zuhair to Muhammad (sas), presented a true picture of these habits of the Arabs.

A further example of the state of ignorance of the society was that fighting would erupt over trivial matters and swords would be drawn. Sometimes disputes between tribes would escalate to the point that enmity, killing, and devastation would go on for years. It was common for tribal allies to join the war thus extending its circle so far and wide that tribe after tribe would be wiped out. The famous fight of Banu Taghlib and Banu Bakr, which is known in history as the War of Basus7, is a minor page in the history of Arabia.

The following story that describes the war of Basus illustrates the fiery and combative nature of the Arabs of that time:

The story begins at the end of the 5th century A.D. with Kulaib bin Rabi‘ah, a famous and influential chieftain of the Banu Taghlib tribe, and his wife Halilah bint Murrah, who belonged to the Banu Bakr bin Wa’il. Halilah’s brother Jassas lived with her maternal aunt Basus. Once, a guest by the name of Sa‘d stayed with Basus. Sa‘d had a she-camel which grazed along with the camels of Jassas in the pastures of Kulaib because of their mutual relationship and kinship.

Once, it so happened that Kulaib was walking by a tree in his pasture and he heard a bird chirping. He noticed a bird that had laid eggs in a nest in the tree. Kulaib, who was a hot-tempered Bedouin chieftain firmly said to the bird, “Fear not, I shall protect you.” The second day when Kulaib passed that place, he found the eggs of the bird trampled on the ground and the bird making a painful sound. This agonizing scene enraged him. He looked around and noticed Sa‘d’s she-camel. Kulaib assumed that the she-camel trampled the eggs. He ran to his brother-in-law Jassas and said, “Listen Jassas! At this time my mind entertains a particular thought, if I am convinced of this thought I shall act upon it. Anyhow, the camel of Sa‘d better not pasture in this area again with the herd.”

This infuriated Jassas, who also possessed a fiery Bedouin nature said, “This camel belongs to our guest—she will graze wherever my camels graze.” Kulaib replied, “If I see that she-camel grazing here, I will pierce her breast with my arrow and kill her.” Jassas retorted, “I swear by Wa’il’s idol that if you do it, I will shoot a barrage of arrows in your chest.” Kulaib, extremely agitated, and burning with rage, went to his wife Halilah, and said, “Halilah, do you know of anyone who would protect his neighbor over me?” She said, “There are none who dare it, except my brother Jassas. If he says something, he will most definitely fulfill it.”

Afterwards when Halilah, came to know about the actual event, she tried hard to sort out the matter, but in vain. Kulaib was always looking for an opportunity to take revenge for the trampling of the bird’s eggs. One day by a stroke of luck, Kulaib was watering his camels when Jassas arrived with the same purpose. Coincidently, Sa‘d’s she-camel got separated from Jassas’s herd and started drinking water with Kulaib’s camels. Kulaib thought that Jassas had intentionally let her loose. Kulaib became incensed with rage. He immediately got out his bow, and launched a forceful arrow into the breast of the camel, and she, in great agony, ran towards the house screaming with pain. The animal had barely reached the house of Jassas’ aunt when it fell down to the ground. This dreadful scene enraged Basus, Jassas’ aunt. She started wailing with loose hair according to the tradition of Arabs, “Shame! Shame! We have been disgraced! The camel of our guest has been killed.” Jassas could not bear this humiliation. Infuriated with the humiliation and shame, he rushed forward and killed Kulaib. As a result, a rage overtook the two tribes, and a fierce war was fought for the next 40 years. Finally when the long continuous fighting had greatly weakened the two tribes, the ruler of the state of Hirah reconciled the two tribes, and brought the long running war to an end.

In Arabia, the practice of revenge was so widespread that it would often spiral out of control resulting in a chain of vengeful killings. Blood money8 was also practiced to an extent, but usually the relatives of the person killed would be satisfied with nothing less than the execution of the killer according to the rule of retribution. But the matter would not end there. When the fire of one side was extinguished, it would start blazing on the other side, and so the gulf of hatred and spirit of vengeance would find such life that many times it would annihilate and destroy tribe after tribe.

War had strange customs in Arabia. During a war, a fire would be kindled at a high place close to where the army was stationed. If the fire was extinguished for some reason, the army would consider it a bad omen and became demoralized. During war, first there would be duels of the important persons of both sides, which were followed by general combat. Swords, spears, and bows and arrows were the popular weapons of the Arabs. When the army of a nation would retreat after being overwhelmed by their opponents, the women, loudly singing war songs would appeal to the honour and the pride of the people, which would often result in reviving the spirit of the army.

Generosity was thought to be a lofty quality among Arabs. Hatim Ta’i, whose generosity is legendary throughout the Islamic world, was an Arab. Muhammad (sas) was so fond of this attribute that when Hatim Ta’i’s daughter was captured by the Muslim army in a war and presented before him, Muhammad (sas) freed her and her people only because she was the daughter of a greatly generous person.

The Status of Women

In Arabia, the status of women was deplorable before the advent of Islam. A man could have as many wives as he desired, and divorce would occur solely at his whim. In certain tribes, giving a daughter in marriage to someone was considered disgraceful, shameful, and even evil. This is the reason that the despicable tradition of female infanticide was practiced among the Arabs.

When a girl reached the age of five or six years and started speaking sweet and adorable words, her merciless and ruthless father, would dress her nicely and take her outside the town to an already dug ditch and push the innocent girl over the edge with his own hands, and cover her with dirt. The poor girl would scream and shout and plead in her innocent tone saying, “My dear father, I am dying, please pull me out, do not bury me!” But the screams and pleas of the beloved daughter would have no effect on the merciless father. He would continue burying her until the ditch was leveled and the poor soul would depart permanently from this world.

The readers can well imagine that the people who carried out this kind of heinous act with their innocent daughters would provide nothing in the way of inheritance and other rights to their daughters. If someone would die without a son, his wife and daughters would be deprived of his inheritance, and brothers would appropriate all the possessions, and those poor souls would get nothing. Further to this, stepmothers were treated in such a way that after the death of the father, the son would take all of them as inheritance. May Allah send abundant mercy on that kind Prophet who emancipated women from this kind of humiliating and painful life!

Superstition

The curse of superstition was very common in Arabia. When they would set out on a journey, if they forgot something or had to return home for some other reason, they would jump over the back wall instead of entering through the main entrance which they considered a bad omen.

They had a ritual of setting free certain animals in the name of idols or for other offerings. They also had some strange and dreadful practices related to marriages. In short, the Arab superstitions were so extensive, that their description could fill a voluminous book.

The Religious Practices Before Islam

Most of the Arabs were idolators. Jews, Christians, Majusi9, Sabians10 and atheists were also found in certain parts of the country. The followers of idolatry considered idols the means for fulfilling their needs. The most famous idols were Lat, Manat, ‘Uzza, Suwa‘, Yaghuth, Hubal, Wadd, Ya‘uq, Nasr, Isaf, and Na’ilah. The Ka‘bah had been made into a hub of idols with 360 idols in total.

The four months that are called Dhul-Qa‘dah, Dhul-Hajjah, Muharram, and Rajab in the Islamic calendar were considered particularly sacred in pre-Islamic times. Bloodshed was completely forbidden in these months enabling people to travel freely.

Conclusion

In essence, the state of the Arabia with respect to its civilization and society, religion and traditions was so dreadful and horrific, that no religion other than Islam could have reformed it. Sir William Muir, who did not have a soft corner for Islam, also acknowledged this fact. He writes:

During the youth of Mohammad, the aspect of the Peninsula was strongly conservative; perhaps never at any previous time was reform more hopeless…

After five centuries of Christian evangelization, we can point to but a sprinkling here and there of Christian converts; the Beni'l-Harith of Nejran; the Beni Hanifa of Al-Yemama; some of the Beni Tai' at Teima; and hardly any more. Judaism, vastly more powerful, had exhibited spasmodic efforts at proselytism; but, as an active and converting agent, the Jewish faith was no longer operative. In fine, viewed in a religious aspect, the surface of Arabia had been now and then gently rippled by the feeble efforts of Christianity; the sterner influences of Judaism had been occasionally visible in a deeper and more troubled current; But the tide of indigenous idolatry and Ishmaelite superstition, setting strongly from every quarter towards the Ka‘bah.11

It should be further noted that these circumstances were not unique to Arabia; in fact at that time, the entire world was passing through a dark age. Religions were corrupted, and clouds of sin and darkness covered the entire world. This dark state of the world was depicted by Hasan Rohtasi12 in his Musaddas13 which he composed for this book on the request of this humble person:

When the world was entirely covered in darkness,
And ignorance raged all around.

Forgotten were the inherent moral qualities of humans,
Friend from foe was hard to distinguish.

Ignorance and rebellion ruled
Over land and sea.

None of the expressions of the east was lovely,
Nor did the west possess any charm in its hands.

Neither Uttar14 had the remedy for the pain of the heart,
Nor the climate of Deccan15 was pleasing to the heart.

Neither the party, nor the bartender, nor the beloved survived.
Nor the saddle, nor the camel, nor Laila16 survived.

Neither India had its traditional modesty,
Nor the calligraphy of China had any splendor.

Neither the Greek Law had any cure,
Nor the Persian fire had any warmth left.

Wiped out was every notion of knowledge and wisdom.
The (virtues of the) world appeared to be nonexistent.

Arabia, was nothing but a house of crime,
Had no fear of the world, nor of the Hereafter.

Unskilled in keeping commandments,
Renowned for defying prohibitions.

Dearest to them was the idol worship,
Seeking God was considered the worst evil.

Neither had they respect in their hearts for elders,
Nor was there any tradition of love for the children.

Hostility was in the hearts and on the tongues,
Unaware of humanity.

No last thread of modesty was left,
No sign of virtuosity remained.

The House of God known by everyone,
Center of the earth, accepted everyone,

White and black, recognized by everyone,
The Qiblah17, accepted by the Muslims,

Was like a temple of idolaters.
No one sought the truth there.

Idols were the talk of every tongue,
Hearts were ruled by the currency of idols.

The idols were so esteemed,
That the House of God was fully occupied by them.

There were not 2, 4, 6, 7, or 8,
But 360 of them witnessed by the Ka‘bah.

Suddenly the bright Sun lit up the horizon,
The pride of Arabia, the beauty of arch and podium.

Brightened every ocean and land,
Darkness was pierced as if by owl or bat.

The night disappeared and the day dawned.
The garb of Majnun was finally let go by Laila.

That Sun shone on Iran and Turan18;
Shone on Arabia, non-Arabia, Rome, and Greece.

Shone on the meadow, the sparsely inhabited desert.
Shone on the water and land, hill and plain.

Broke every heart’s link with ignorance,
No house of the world was left in the dark.

Gaining of status was not his goal,
Nor limited to the courtyard of Arabia.

His message was spread to Rome, Syria and Halab19,
And will forever remain true.

Heir to the Messenger in the world are those,
Who were made heirs of kauthar (abundance) by God.

Perfect was the reward given to him by God.
Perfect was the prophethood granted to him.

Perfect was the law and the practice.
Perfect was the wealth given to him.

God-given reward was plentifully distributed.
No one was denied the treasure.

Had he not come from God, the Truthful with the Qur’an,
Containing the commandments and the prohibitions,

With the cure for grief and pain,
With the yardstick for bad and good,

Truth would have been known by no one,
The secrets of God would have remained hidden.

Mutual love was established by his plan.
Mutual affection was enhanced by his speech.

Hearts were cleansed by the Purifier.
The disgraced were honoured by him.

Joined together were the ones separated for ages,
Reuniting brother with brother.

He organized well the tribes and,
Taught them the path to progress.

Explained them how to avoid downfall,
Amended and enriched the book of culture.

The fleet became fearless of the dangerous tide.
The wind totally changed its course.

He taught them the lesson of the Unity of God.
Liberated them from the slavery of idols.

Taught them the real methods of worship.
Awoke the ones long asleep.

The imperfect of yesterday were perfected today,
Made worthy of the trust of God.

Rulers benefited from his examples,
And the wives and women gained in the new society created by his teachings.

Common people and nobles all benefited,
As did the orphans and the destitute.

Our heart and soul be sacrificed for him,
He is the Truth, the Wise, and through him have we seen the truth.