Arabia before the Prophet Muhammad –II

Social Life of the Arabs:
Before the advent of Prophet Muhammad, Arabian society was divided
into several social strata, which produced both advantages and
disadvantages in the resultant social structure. Women among the
nobility were accorded an advanced degree of esteem. They enjoyed
considerable free will in almost all spheres of life and their
decision would usually be enforced. They were so highly cherished and
fiercely protected, that very often bloodshed resulted in defense of
real or imaginary slurs to their honor. In fact, women were believed
to be the most decisive factors that ledto bloody fights or friendly
peace among tribes. These privileges notwithstanding, the family
system in Arabia was wholly patriarchal. The marriage contract rested
completely in the hands of the woman's legal guardian whose words with
regard to her marital status could never be questioned.
On the other hand, there were other sectors where prostitution and
indecency were rampant andin full operation. Abu Daawoodon the
authority of 'Aa'ishahreported four kinds of marriage in pre-Islamic
Arabia: The first was similar to present-day Islamic marriage
procedures, in which case a man gives his daughter in marriage to
another man after a dowry has been agreed on. In the second type, the
husband would send his wife – after the menstruation period –to
cohabit with another man in order to conceive. After conception her
husband would, ifhe desired, have sexual intercourse with her. A third
kindwas that a group of less than ten men would have sexual
intercourse with a woman. If she conceived and gave birth to a child,
she would send for these men, and nobody could abstain. They would
come together to herhouse. She would then say: 'You know what you have
done. I havegiven birth to a child and it is your child' )pointing to
one of them(. The man meant would have to accept. The fourth kind was
that many men would have intercourse with a certain woman )a
prostitute(. She would not prevent anybody. Such women used to put a
certain flagat their gates to invite in anyone who liked. If this
woman got pregnant and gave birth to a child, she would collect those
men, and a soothsayer would tellwhose child it was. The appointed
father would take the child and declare him/her his own. When the
Prophetdeclared Islam in Arabia, he cancelled all these forms of
sexual contact except that of present Islamic marriage.
Pre-Islamic Arabs had no limited number of wives. They could marry two
sisters at the same time, or even the wives of their fathers if
divorced or widowed, and divorce was to a very great extent in the
power of the husband.
With respect to the pre-Islamic parent-child relationship, we see that
life in Arabia was paradoxical and presented a gloomy picture of
contrasts. Whilst some Arabs held children dear to their hearts and
cherished them greatly, others buried their female children alive
because an illusory fear of poverty and shame weighed heavily on them.
Another aspect of the Arabs' life, which deserves mention, is the
bedouin's deep-seated emotionalattachment to his clan. Family or
perhaps tribal-pride, was one of the strongest passions within him.
The unity of blood relations as the principle that bound the Arabs
into social unity was formed and supported by tribal-pride. Their
undisputed motto was "Support your brother whether he is an oppressor
or oppressed." They disregarded theIslamic amendment, which statesthat
supporting an oppressive brother implies deterring him from
transgression.
Hunger for leadership and a keen sense of inter-tribal competition
often resulted in bitter tribal warfare, despite their having
descended from one common ancestor. In this regard, the continued
bloody conflicts of many Arab tribes like 'Aws and Khazraj, 'Abs and
Dhubyaan, Bakr and Taghlib etc. are striking examples.
Inter-tribal relationships were fragile and weak due to
continualinter-tribal wars of attrition. The deep devotion of the
tribes to certain religious superstitions and venerable customs often
curbed their impetuous tendencyto quench their thirst for blood. In
other cases, the respect for alliance, loyalty and dependency
sometimes brought about a spirit of companionship, and aborted
groundless bases of dispute. A time-honored custom of suspending
hostilities during the sacred months )Muharram, Rajab, Thul-Qi'dah,
and Thul-Hijjah( functioned favorably and provided an opportunity for
them to earn their living and coexist in peace.
We may sum up the social situation in Arabia by saying that the Arabs
of the pre-Islamic period were groping about in darkness and
ignorance, entangled in a mesh of superstitions paralyzing their mind
and causing them to lead an animal-like life. The common woman was a
marketable commodity and regarded as a piece of inanimate property.
Inter-tribal relationships were fragile. Greed for wealth and
involvement in futile wars were the main objectives that governed
their self-centered policies.
The Economic Situation:
The economic situation ran in line with the social atmosphere, and the
Arabian way of life illustrated this phenomenon quite clearly. Trade
was the most common means of livelihood. Trade journeys could not be
undertaken unless caravan routeswere deemed safe and there was
inter-tribal peace – two imperative necessities unfortunately lacking
in Arabia, except during the prohibited months within which the Arabs
held their assemblies at the annual markets of 'Ukaath, Thil-Majaz,
Mijannah and others.
Industry was alien to the Arabian psychology. Most of the available
industries of knitting and tanneryin Arabia were done by people coming
from Yemen, Heerah and the borders of Syria.
Ethics:
1. Hospitality: The Arabs used to compete with one another in
hospitality and take utmost pridein it. Almost half of their
collection of ancient poetry was dedicated to the merits and nobility
attached to entertaining one's guest. They would sacrifice their
private sustenance for a cold or hungry guest. They wouldnot hesitate
to incur heavy blood-money and relevant burdens just to stop
blood-shed, and consequently merit praise and eulogy.
In the context of hospitality, there springs to mind their common
habits of drinking and serving wine, which was regarded as a channel
branching out of generosity and showing hospitality. Gambling was also
another practice closely associated with generosity, since the
proceeds would always go to charity. Even the Noble Quran makes note
of the benefits that are derived from drinking wine and gambling, but
also says)what means(: "And the sin of them is greater than their
benefit." ]Quran 2:219[
2. Keeping a covenant: For the Arab, to make a promise was like
incurring a debt. He would go through great pains and hardshipto
uphold the deep-rooted tradition of keeping a covenant. The literature
of that period is filled with stories highlighting this merit.
3. Sense of honor and repudiationof injustice: This attribute stemmed
mainly from exaggerated courage, a keen sense of self-esteem and
impetuosity. The Arabs was always quick to rise in revolt and
retaliation against the least allusion to humiliation or slackness. An
Arab would never hesitate to sacrifice himself to maintain his
ever-alert sense of self-respect.
4. Forbearance, perseverance and mildness: In general, the pre-Islamic
Arabs lacked these qualities. They may have regarded these traits with
great admiration, but their impetuosityand war-like spirit led to
their own lives being sadly wanting in them.
5. Pure and simple bedouin life: The bedouin Arab lifestyle, still
untarnished with the accessories of deceptive urban appearances, was a
driving reason to their nature of truthfulness, honesty and detachment
from intrigue and treachery.
Such priceless ethics coupled with the favorable geographical position
of Arabia were in fact the factors that lay behind the Arabs being
chosen to undertake the burden of communicating the Message )of Islam(
and leading humankind down a new course of life.
The most priceless ethics, besidesbeing true to their covenants, were
no doubt their sense of self-esteem and strong determination -- two
human traits indispensable in combatingevil and eliminating moral
corruption on the one hand, and establishing a righteous and just
society on the other.