Maryam, there was a long period without a Prophet. Light and knowledge
disappeared. Christianity fell into disrepute and became a matter of
sport for the corrupt and the hypocrites. From the verybeginning,
Christianity had been subjected to alterations by extremists and to
interpretations by the ignorant. The simple teaching of the Messiah
was buried beneath the transgressors' evil behaviour.
The Jews had become a society obsessed with rites and rules lacking
all life and spirit. Apart from that, Judaism a tribal religion, did
not carry a message to the world nora summons to other nations nor
mercy to humanity at large.
The Magians were devoted to fire-worship. They built altars and
shrines to fire. Outside the shrines they followedtheir own pursuits.
Eventually, no difference whatever could be discerned between the
Magians and those with no religion or morality.
Buddhism, a religion widespread in India and Central Asia, was
transformed into outright paganism. Altarswere built and images of the
Buddha set up wherever it went.
Hinduism, the basic religion of India, is distinguished by its
millions of idols and gods, and by the unjust separation that exists
between its castes, discrimination between the castes being a harsh
reality of daily life.
The Arabs also suffered from a paganism and idol-worship of the most
abhorrent kind that had no parallel, even in pagan Hindu India. They
were involved in shirk and adopted gods other than Allah. Every tribe,
region or city had a particular idol. Indeed, every house had a
private idol. Inside the Ka'bah, the house which Ibrahim (peace be
upon him) had built for the worship of Allah alone, and in its
courtyard, stood three hundred and sixty idols.
THE ARABIAN PENINSULA:
The morals of the Arabs were corrupted and they were obsessed with
drinking and gambling. Their cruelty and so-called zeal reached the
point where they buried baby girls alive. Raiding was widespread as
well as highway robbery against trading caravans. The position of
women in society was so low that they could be inherited like property
oranimals. Children were murdered because their parents feared the
poverty that would come from raising them. The Arabs were fond of war
and did not hesitate to shed blood. A minor incident could stir up a
war lasting for many years in which thousandsof people would lose
their lives.
CORRUPTION:
In short, at this time, mankind was on a suicidal course. Man had
forgotten his Creator andwas oblivious of himself, his future, and his
destiny. He had lost the ability to distinguish between good and evil,
and what is beautiful andwhat is ugly. Throughout vast regions no one
was concerned with religion at all and no one worshipped his Lord
without associating something with Him. Allah Almighty spoke the truth
when He said: 'Corruption has appearedin the land and sea through what
the hands of People have earned, that He may let them taste some part
of that which they have done, that perhaps they will return.' (30:41)
THE PROPHET(SALLALLAHU ALAIYHI WASSALLAM) IS SENT TO THE ARABIAN PENINSULA:
Allah chose the Arabs to receive the call of Islam and to convey it to
the furthest corners of the world. These people were simple-hearted
with no complicated ideologies which would have been difficult to
remove. While the Greeks, Persians and people of India were arrogant
about their many sciences, their fine literature and their splendid
civilisation, the Arabs followed only simple traditions related to
their desert existence. It was not difficult to sweep these away and
replace them with a freshvision.
The Arabs were in a natural state. When it was difficult for them to
grasp the truth, they fought it. However, whenthe covering was removed
from their eyes, they welcomed the new beginning and, having embraced
it, would risk their lives for it. They were honest and trustworthy,
hardy, courageous and fine horsemen. They also possessed a will of
iron.
In Makkah , a city in the Arabian peninsula, was the Ka'bah which had
been built by Ibrahim and Isma'il (peace be upon them). In it, Allah
alone was to be worshipped and it was tobe a centre for calling people
to tawhid for all time. Tawhid, meaning the Oneness of Allah, is in
sharp contrast with the worship of idols.
The first house established for people was that at Bakkah, a blessed
place and a guidance for the worlds. (3:97)
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