Changes brought to the Arabian community by the Prophet according to the Koran
Every civilization that has rose owes its development to the advancement of human rights and laws. During the 7th century, the Islamic society rose based on the same principles. Prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam brought about social reforms that led to a significant change in the way Arabs lived. His accomplishments brought a change of view towards education, race, gender, religion, and conflict resolution. The rise of Islam in the Arabian Peninsula can be successfully attributed to the social change brought about by Prophet Muhammad. This paper demonstrates three great changes brought to the Arabian community by the Prophet according to the Koran, Ibn, and Ishaq’s biography.
- Religious change
According to the Koran Muhammad changed the religious beliefs of the Arabian society. Before the 6th century, the Arabian society had polytheistic practices as part of their belief system. The worship of idols, magic, and divination were common practices in Arabian society. However, after the Koran was written these doctrines were abolished. In his book, the Prophet shed light on the falsehood of traditional customs. He encouraged monotheism preaching that there is only one true God, Allah. He also made the people aware of the darkness of superstition, divination and fortune-telling.
In the biography of Ibn, Muhammad’s son, it is clear that the Prophet changed the aspects of worship in the Arabian society. Ibn affirms that aspects of worship such as prayer and fasting were brought to Islam by Muhammad. Additionally, Islamic pilgrimage, where millions of Islam people would go to Mecca was as a result of Muhammad’s teachings. These forms of worship led to unity, solidarity, and cooperation among the Arabs in the Arabian Peninsula. The haji and zakat, which are also forms of worship also arose from the teachings of Muhammad.
Ishaq’s biography of Muhammad also outlines that the prophet changed the religious practices of the Arabian people by emphasizing the importance of education and instructions. Based on his biography, the prophet had ordered that the most blessed people in the society were those who read, understood, and taught the Koran. The prophet wanted all Muslims regardless of age, gender, or race to be well informed with all respective aspects of human life. He believed that education would enable every individual to bring about positive change to society.
- Political change
The teachings in the Koran established policies through which created a sense of security. The first masjid perpetuated a sense of brotherhood that was important in providing love and security towards Muslims. The Koran teaches that closeness and affection are important in creating a sense of cooperation towards all Muslims. In Medina, the Prophet’s home town, the political structure allowed the Muslims to relate with others; Jews, and other polytheists, without breaking their unity. Muhammad was the head of state in Medina, and he related with other non-Muslims according to the principles of rights.
Ibn affirms that Muhammad disapproved tribalism. In the age of ignorance, before the Prophet’s establishment of the Muslim community, there was a great sense of tribalism. Muhammad created a sense of religious brotherhood that brought together people from different races, religion, and language. He created a balance between the Ansar and Muhajir tribes that had been conflicting for a long time. The feeling of being in a tribe was an essential part of survival in the pre-Islam Arabian society. However, after the creation of Islam, there was a sense of unity among the different tribes that worshipped Allah.
According to Ishaq, Prophet Muhammad promoted the sense of care in appointing leaders. In his biography, he points out that Muhammad believed that leaders were accountable for what the followers would do. According to the Prophet, leaders ought to act with a sense of responsibility towards society. During Muhammad’s time, the appointed administrators were graceful, humble, and merciful. All these were leadership attributes which Muhammad believed were crucial in enlightening the society. Additionally, he believed that people would support those leaders who had these special characteristics.
- Economic change
In his teachings in the Koran, the Prophet was clear that land should be cultivated. He emphasized that when one was not cultivating their land they should allow their fellow brother to plant the land. Medina was an agriculturally based community and it was through the Prophet’s insights that the people there were able to maximize their productivity. Furthermore, the teachings of the Koran which encouraged brotherhood allowed for many emigrants to move to Medina strengthening their economy. The prophet enlightened the Arabians on the importance of harmonizing with their neighbours allowing important trade agreements that led to the flourishing of the economy in the Arabian Peninsula.
Ibn emphasizes that through Meccan migration Medina was able to develop their economy. The Ansar provided a haven for the Muslims who had travelled from across the world to Mecca for the religious pilgrimage. The Meccan Muslims worked and in this way alleviated much work for the Ansar. There were economic problems in the Muslim community until the battle of the trench where the Zakaat balanced the economy in favor of the poor. The economic problems of the Arabian society were greatly alleviated by the people who came for Mecca. It was because of this flourishing of the economy that some Arabian people were able to leave an inheritance for their children.
Ishaq suggests that Muhammad promoted several measures which resulted in the development of trade in the Arabian Peninsula. According to his biography, the Prophet established a new market after the emigration of Muslims to the Arabian Peninsula. He promoted the earnings of Halal and discouraged the purchase of things which were considered Haram. He strictly forbade people from earning through unscrupulous ways. Muhammad also announced the importance of developing a commercial life by ensuring the society had important traders like blacksmiths, tailors, carpenters and other skilled laborers who are the backbone of civilization.
The spread of Islam to become globally accepted is largely owed to Prophet Muhammad’s social reforms. His approach towards humanity and how a society ought to be like was and still is generally accepted. However, Islam today has been grossly tainted with gender discrimination and terrorist activity all which are against what the Prophet stood for. It is important to understand that the Prophet instituted teachings that promote the wellbeing of everyone regardless of gender, religion or race. The violation of his teachings comes about from years of obfuscation by religious leaders and Muslim extremists. It is not surprising that Muhammad’s humane teachings were accepted and led to the development of the Arabian Peninsula to what it is today.