The Emergence of Arab Monotheism Essay Example

period, Yemen was the only region in the Arabian Peninsula that had a central government. Most Arabs, on the other hand, recognized only the authority of the chiefs of their respective tribes. Most tribal chiefs, however, based their clout on their character and personality. Thus, their rule was moral rather than political (Razwy, n.d.).

Pre-Islamic Arabian Morality: Vendetta and Asabiyya.

The complete absence of government plunged pre-Islamic Arabia into anarchy and chaos. Lawlessness was very rampant – victims of crime took the law into their own hands and personally went after the offenders. As a result, the fear of provoking reprisals and vendetta became the sole reason for exercising restraint. Vendetta was said to have “consumed whole generations of (pre-Islamic) Arabs” (Razwy, n.d.).

As legal institutions such as courts and the police were nonexistent, the tribe was the pre-Islamic Arab’s only protection against his enemies. In the process, asabiyya (tribalism or clan spirit) became more important than ethics – a tribe was obligated to protect its members, whether or not they were guilty of wrongdoing. Failure to do so would expose that tribe to obloquy, contempt and ridicule (Razwy, n.d.).

Asabiyya, in turn, transformed war into a permanent institution in pre-Islamic Arabian society. Arab tribes in this era viewed war as a dangerous sport that was based on old and gallant codes. Aside from providing as escape from the drudgery and monotony of desert life, the clash of arms allowed them to display their skills in fencing, horsemanship and archery. Furthermore, victory in war is synonymous to heroism, as well as glory and honor for a tribe. Consequently, Arabs oftentimes engaged

in senseless hostilities (Razwy, n.d.).

Glaring Economic Disparity

The Jews monopolized the economy of pre-Islamic Arabia. They were both the best farmers and the owners of the best arable lands in the country. The Jews likewise dominated the existing industries in Arabia in those days, especially armaments production. Slavery was another striking characteristic of the pre-Islamic Arabian economy. In this context, slavery was an economic institution – male and female slaves not only were bought and sold like animals, they likewise represented the lowest class in pre-Islamic Arabian society (Razwy, n.d.).

The capitalists and moneylenders, on the other hand, were the most privileged among all the Arabs. However, they enriched themselves at the expense of the poor. They became increasingly wealthy by charging exorbitant rates of interest on loans. Their borrowers, as a result, became increasingly poor (Razwy, n.d.).

Marginzalization of Women

Because pre-Islamic Arabia was a patriarchal society, women during this period were considered only as sex objects. A man, on the other hand, could marry as many women as he wanted – all at the same time. After his death, his son “inherited” all his wives except his own mother. These double standards on gender prompted pre-Islamic Arabs to practice the savage custom of burying their female infants alive in the sand. Because women have no other role in pre-Islamic Arabian society but to provide sexual gratification to men, the expense of raising them only benefits outsiders (Rawzy, n.d.).

Having no other opportunities for economic advancement, women resorted to prostitution in order to make ends meet. Whores in pre-Islamic Arabia were referred to as dhat-er-rayyat (“ladies of

the flags”) – they solicited clients by flying flags on their houses. Prostitution eventually became a thriving industry in pre-Islamic Arabia. As most Arabs were compulsive drinkers and gamblers, they had an obsessive attitude towards sex as well (Rawzy, n.d.).

The types of marriages that existed in the jahiliyya further elaborated on the loose sexual relations between men and women in pre-Islamic Arabia. The first type was the traditional Arab marriage. A man betroths his daughter to another man, to whom he pays a dowry before the marriage takes place. The second type was called nikah al-istibda (“the marriage of seeking intercourse”). In order for a childless couple to have a child, the husband orders his wife to get herself impregnated by another man (Rawzy, n.d.).

The third type of marriage in pre-Islamic Arabia involves sexual intercourse between a woman and a group of less than ten men. In the event that the woman became pregnant and bore a child, she will again call for the men a few nights after she gave birth – social tradition dictates that they cannot refuse. She will then “identify” who among them is the “father” of her child. The man whom she chooses is obliged to look after her and her child (Rawzy, n.d.).

The last type is applicable to the dhat-er-rayyat. When a prostitute conceived and gave birth to a child, the physiognomists are summoned to identify who the father is. The physiognomists do this by “(attaching the) child to the man whom they (believe is the father)” (Rawzy, n.d.). If the child remained attached to the man, then the former is automatically considered

his (Rawzy, n.d.).

Polytheism

Pre-Islamic Arabs were said to be pagans – they were devotees of many religions and worshiped many gods. The inconsistent teachings of their numerous religions and gods often resulted in conflicts and wars among the people. Below are the following categories of the religions in Pre-Islamic Arabia:

• Idol-Worshippers or Polytheists – Most Arabs in pre-Islamic Arabia worshipped many idols. Each tribe even has its own fetishes and idols. Pre-Islamic Arabs were so devoted to idol worship that they transformed the Kaaba in Mecca into a “heathen pantheon housing 360 idols of stone and wood” (Rawzy, n.d.).
• Atheists – This group referred to people who did not believe in any god. For them, the world was made of matter and was eternal (Rawzy, n.d.).
• Zindiqs – They espoused the Persian doctrine of dualism in nature. Thus, they believed that there were two gods that symbolized the opposing forces of good and evil and that they were constantly fighting for supremacy (Rawzy, n.d.).
• Sabines – They worshipped and derived messages from the stars (Rawzy, n.d.).
• Jews – The Jews came to Arabia after the Romans destroyed Jerusalem in 70 AD. Since then, many Arabs were converted to Judaism. Centers of Judaism in pre-Islamic Arabia were the towns of Khayber, Yathrib, Umm-ul-Qura and Fadak (Rawzy, n.d.).
• Christians – Christianity was dominant in the regions of Ghassan, Yemen and the town of Najran. (Rawzy, n.d.).
• Monotheists – They were the followers of the Prophet Abraham. The clans of Muhammad and Ali ibn Abi Talib came from this group (Rawzy,
  

n.d.).

The Advent of Islam

As Muhammad, the founder of Islam, was born in 570 AD (pre-Islamic Arabia lasted until the 630s), he was exposed to the aforementioned conditions and elements throughout his youth. Thus, it is no longer surprising, that, some 40 years after his birth, Muhammad began preaching a new religion whose beliefs were the exact opposite of those that prevailed in pre-Islamic Arabia. Islam, for one, believed that there was only one god, Allah. Allah used mortals such as Moses, Abraham and Jesus to impart his teachings to the people. Allah’s various laws were eventually compiled in the Koran (MSN Encarta, 2008).

The Five Pillars of Islam – the profession of faith (shahada), prayer (salat), almsgiving (zakat), fasting (sawm), and pilgrimage (hajj) – taught abstinence and self-control. The Islamic concept of jihad, meanwhile, was taken from an Arabic term meaning “to struggle (in order to please God)” (MSN Encarta, 2008). Although Western media of the 20th century often give a militant interpretation of the idea of jihad, jihad actually means exerting an effort to please Allah by avoiding worldly pleasures and living a virtuous life (MSN Encarta, 2008).

Conclusion

Islam was formed as a response to the irresponsible lifestyle of those who lived in pre-Islamic Arabia. While pre-Islamic Arabs resorted to vices (drinking, sex, gambling, etc.), Islam advocated charity, abstinence and self-control. Thus, it is very ironic that Islam is currently associated with fanaticism and violence.