Arabs conditions before Islam

Before the advent of Islam, the Arabs were grappled in the dark night of Social, Political and
religious life. Morality had fallen low. Corruption, intolerance, persecution and wrangling of tribes
were at the peak. The pre-Islamic period as generally called as “Era of Jahiliyyah or the era of
ignorance”. So the culture is called both ignorance and foolish based on its practices and
beliefs.

Social Condition: The social conditions were very poor. The Arabs raided caravans and
robbed travelers. The society was overflowing with barbarism and superstition. The stealing,
gambling, drinking and usury were common in the society. Adultery and fornication were
uncontrolled. Slavery was a common act and the owner possessed the right of the life and
death of the slave.

Economic Condition: The economic conditions were also poor. Arabs lived in a nomadic
manner and had no proper settlement. They kept on moving from place to place in search of
pasture and water. They lived in forms of tribes and the leaders were chosen upon the basis of
wealth and bravery. Tribal disputes were common on matters like water springs, cattle herds
and horseracing. The disputes often continued for decades.

Women Status: The status of women was extremely poor. The Arab’s of pre-Islamic treated
their women as worse than animals. The women had no rights & no any social status. If a man
can afford he married as many women as he liked & he can deserted at any time whenever he
wanted. Temporary marriages were very common. On the death of a man, his sons married
their step-mother, or his brothers inherited his widows as though they were very chattels.

Culture Condition: The cultural conditions were quite good. The poetry of Arabs was very rich
and was written in majestic Arabic. Their main virtues were tribal bravery, tribal loyalty,
courage, honor and glorification of tribe. They were extremely brave but used their bravery in
the wrong path of evil and grim. They had no moral or ethical value.

Female infanticide: The female infants were buried alive within a day or two of the birth for two
reasons, poverty and shame. Historians suggest that in the pre-Islamic Arab society the poor
with kill their infant children because of poverty and rich because of shame.

Arabs condition after Islam or Impact of Islam on Arabia Society:

Following significant impact took place in Arabia:

Political Impact: Within a short period after the rise of Islam, the rival tribes of Arabia was of
unified and it led to the establishment of a big empire. A new civilization grew up which was the
best of its times. Through Arabia Islam quickly spread to other parts of the world.

Religious Impact and the Principles of Islam: With the rise of Islam, the people of Arabia got
a new religion in Islam. They gave up idol worshipping and adopted the principle of belief in
unity of a God head. They accepted Prophet Muhammad as their last Prophet and having faith
in his teachings.

Bond of Equality: After the rise of Islam, all human beings became equal. No one is the
superior to others even slavery has given rights. Islam considers that it is wrong to divide human
beings on the basis of castes, race, colour etc. Muslims all over the world consider them
brothers and treat each other on footing of equality.

Women Status: Islam elevated the status of women to great heights: so high that she stood
shoulder to shoulder with man. Islam granted women the right to ownership. They now owned
the amount of their Mehr. They could engage in trade and have their own properties. They were
also given the right to inherit the property of the deceased father and husband.

Female infanticide: One of the most common practices of "Jahiliyyah" was female infanticide.
Islam reformed any type of infanticide, male or female and put an end to any infanticide for any
reason. The Quran discusses the issue in many places.

“And do not kill your children for fear of poverty. We provide for them and for you. Indeed, their
killing is ever a great sin (Surah Al-Isra)”.

“And when the girl [who was] buried alive is asked for what sin she was killed. (Surah At-
Takwir)”.