Social, Political, Religious and Economic Conditions of Pre-Islamic Arabia

1) Religious condition
The religions followed at that time included
 Small numbers of Jews and Christians
 Some the monotheistic Hanifs (followers of Prophet Ibrahim)
 A segment of Zoroastrians
 Majority of the population was pagan, animistic, idolatrous, and polytheistic. These Arab
idolaters did not believe in life after death or reincarnation. Their real religion, however, was
materialism and hedonism.
Hedonism is the ethical theory that pleasure is the highest good and proper aim of human life. So
it suggests living and behaving in ways that mean you get as much pleasure out of life as
possible. Usually it is seen in the sense of the satisfaction of desires.
2) Political Condition
There were two superpowers, Byzantium and Persia. Besides waging war with one another
directly, they also opposed one another by means of proxies.
The Arabian society in the 6th century CE in which Prophet Muhammad (s) grew up had no
political organization. Arabs were divided into tribes which were governed by tribal leaders.
Tribalism, racism and classism were deeply rooted . Most of the time, Arabs were busy in inter-
tribal wars. There was neither any centralized system of state and government, nor any proper
system for maintaining law and order.
3) Social Conditions
Family system was highly patriarchal. Polygamy was a norm and there was no limitation of any
maximum number of wives having at once. People even used to marry sisters at the same time.
Some people used to marry their step mothers. Adultery and prostitution were also wide spread
in the society. Social union was created through tribal association,lineage and kinship.
Class system was established based on economic and political grounds.The rich exploited the
poor. The powerful enslaved the weak. Majority of women were viewed as sexual objects and
treated as chattel. In many tribes, female children were considered a burden and a sign of
humiliation so they were buried alive.They could be brutalized without mercy. The custom of
slave-trade was common and ill-treatment of slaves was witnessed everyday.
The Arabs in the time of ignorance were on moral decline but some good morals were still highly
valued and practiced wholeheartedly. These include bravery, generosity, hospitality, self-respect,
fulfillment of one’s promise and commitment.
4) Economic Conditions
In pre-Islamic Arabia the economy was divided into different aspects like agriculture, industries,
markets, trade and different ways of funds. All these markets were owned by the rich people of
Makkah but their employees or workers were from the middle or lower class. They would work
hard for only a little share of the profit.
Rich Arabs would trade with China for luxuries, Africa for crafts, Syria for carpet and India for
spices. Levies were imposed on anyone, such as travellers, foreigners and caravans for entering,
staying and leaving the city of Makkah. Another levy would be paid for catering for their animals
and belongings. Looting and plundering the trade caravans while travelling was also common.
Bribes were common among them for “progress”. High rate of interest was imposed on the
borrowers. The lenders were mainly the chiefs of Makkah or the Jews. Each year it would
increase by one hundred per cent. At the end of the third year and beginning the fourth year, the
properties of the borrower would become the properties of the lender, sometimes including wife
and children.

Social, Economic and Political Reforms done by the Prophet (SAWW)

1. Social Reforms
Reforming the Family Institution: Islam gives significant importance to the institution of
family, that is why the Prophet (SAWW) emphasized on the responsibilities towards ones family.
He asked to provide respect, care and protection to family. He also described mutual duties and
rights of all the family relations like husband, wife, parents, children, and relatives. The major
principle of respect, compassion, forgiveness, tolerance and Ihsan (treating with best of manner
even those who are somewhat offensive in behavior) were introduced to lay the foundation of a
happier and peaceful family.
He introduced clear principles and family laws related to marriage, divorce, and inheritance.
Prohibition of all illegal relationship Methods: The Holy Prophet (SAWW) prohibited all kind
of illegal (Haram) methods of forming relationships like adultery, prostitution, homosexuality
etc. All these types result in spiritual, moral, mental and physical illness of people.
Neighbour rights: Prophet Muhammad (SAWW) stressed upon fulfilling the rights of neighbour
and taking care of them.
Unity: The Prophet of Allah (SAWW) taught the lesson of Human Unity. He insisted that all
human beings are like brothers to one another because they are all children of Adam and Eve.
Equality and social justice: Islam strictly orders to treat all human beings equally. So, the
Prophet Muhammad (SAWW) ended all forms of discrimination created on the basis of race,
tribalism, lineage, language, colour, and economic classes. He himself respected all people and
did not discriminated on any superficial criterion.
He (SAWW) practiced the system of social justice and fairness. No society can flourish in
absence of justice.
Disapproval of Slave-trade: He condemned the evil norm of slave-trade and described the
rights of slaves in detail. He and his companions freed a number of slaves and also helped them
financially to set them freedom.
Helping the Weak: He always sided with the weak and oppressed. His companions also
followed his footsteps and helped the weak by all possible means.
Introducing Social Ethics: He taught people to avoid social evils like abusing, backbiting,
spying, humiliating, defaming or insulting others. He encouraged them to treat one another with
respect, forbearance,
Obligation of Seeking knowledge and character building: Islam made it compulsory to seek
knowledge and spread it. No community can make progress in any field without intellectual
growth. Parents, teachers and the society is held responsible for character building of the
generations.
Obligation of Charity: He taught that greatness was not in having but in giving. The ways of
obligatory charity (Zakaaat) and optional charity were introduced social well-being. He gave
away all of his wealth to help the poor and the needy. He encouraged people to do as much
charity as they could.
Special Emphasis on Fair Treatment of Women: Prophet Muhammad (SAWW) advocated the
just treatment of women in every role and status. He preached that women must be treated with
love, honor, respect, and dignity. He (SAWW) denounced the sacrifice of children to pagan gods
and the burying alive of baby girls.
Freedom of Faith: He (SAWW) introduced a humane and fair way of living with people of
diverse faiths and beliefs. He gave them freedom to profess their faith and govern themselves
according to their own faith and traditions within their own communities.
Collectivism: He stressed on collectivism and asked the believers to practice self-sacrifice and
prefer collective well-being over the individual gains. He himself faced persecution, torture and
suffering for the sake of collective well-being.
Cooperation for righteousness: He unified the society on the idea of cooperation in
righteousness and not to cooperate in evil and wrongdoing. He taught the people to stand firm for
siding what is right and help one another to combat the wrong.
Conclusion:
The reforms done by the Messenger of Allah (SAWW) created a socially responsible and morally
upright society. It manifested the real picture of social coherence, harmony and peace. It is
exemplary for all the times coming afterwards.
2. Political Reforms (System of State and Government)
Islam presented a real concept of a welfare state , that was materialized through Prophet
Muhammad (SAWW) in a very short period of time in the form of State of Medina.
Sovereignty belongs to Allah Only: He (PBUH) established the state with the ideology of
Sovereignty of Allah Almighty and made it clear that everyone including himself is a servant of
Allah Almighty.
Man, a Vicegerent of Allah: He headed the state as the legal assistant (Khalifah) of Almighty
Allah and exercised his authority as a sacred trust of Allah Almighty. He governed people within
the limits prescribed by Allah Almighty and enforced His law only.
Supremacy of the Laws of Allah: He followed the law of Allah and established all the rules
based on the Holy Quran. It is the duty of the state to provide sufficient opportunity to the public
for living their life according to Quran and Sunnah. State is also responsible to educate and train
people according to Islamic teachings and keep them united.
Assurance of Basic Human Rights: He enforced basic human rights in true sense that include
right of life, property, basic needs of life, respect, justice, education, freedom of religion,
freedom of expression etc.
Consultative Method of Decision Making: He (PBUH) declared the government a “welfare
State.” He enforced the method of consultation for administration and governance. It was
customary for him to seek the advice of his associates.
Selection of officials on Merit: He (PBUH) always selected people for the governmental offices
on the basis of merit that included their strong character and competencies required for the task.
Accountability of the office holders: He used to do a thorough background check on each new
officer before appointing them. All of them were answerable for their performance and dignity.
Prevalence of Simplicity: The Holy Prophet (SAWW) practiced simplicity in his personal and
public life. He inserted so much simplicity in the government that luxurious style of kings and
their unlimited power were rejected.The system of simplicity and justice helped to abolish the
culture of chamberlain, door keeper, and bribe receivers.
Rule of Law: He (PBUH) enforced the rule of law. The state official and the public were equal
before law. No special privileges were introduced for anyone. It was easy to get justice.
Comprehensive Finance Management System: He (PBUH) established a comprehensive
finance management system by imposing appropriate taxes. He (PBUH) also proposed a
permanent name for each tax. He declared that taxes would be imposed upon the rich and spent
on the poor.
Foreign Affairs: He was a brilliant strategist who made alliances with members of other faiths
and communities on local and foreign levels. His diplomatic efforts were a phenomenal success
and he signed dozens of treaties. He never break any treaty.
Conclusion:
The Messenger Muhammad (SAWW) laid the foundation of a welfare state in true sense.
Everyone was provided with the basic human rights without any discrimination. It uplifted the
morality of the rulers and the ruled and also enabled people to make progress in different fields
of life.
3. Economic Reforms
An Economic system deals with the production, distribution and consumption of goods and
services. The objective of an Islamic economic system is to achieve well-being in both worlds
through all economic activities. Islam has given following golden principles of an economic
system:
Allah is the Owner and the Provider: Islam says that Allah is the owner of all the universe and
its resources. He is the one who provides livelihood to all of His creations.
Man uses the resources as a trust of Allah Almighty: Man will use all the resources as a trust
given by Allah. He is bound to use them according to the limits set by Allah. People will be held
accountable for wastage and misuse of the resources.
Concept of Halal and Haram: People will produce, distribute and consume only halal (Lawful)
goods and services. They will avoid producing, distributing and consuming haram (Unlawful).
All of unfair means of income like looting, plundering, theft, smuggling, prostitution, gambling
etc were declared haram.
Principle of Charity: Islam has enforced a proper system of charity in the form of Zakat
(compulsory charity) and Sadaqaat (optional charity). It is based upon the concept of equitable
distribution of wealth so that wealth may not be concentrated in few hands.
Prohibition of Riba: Islam has prohibited to take riba (both interest and usury) and dealing in
interest is considered as waging war against Allah and His Messenger (SAWW).
Principle of Moderation: Islam has prohibited both miserliness and extravagance. It asks to
spend moderately. It thus stresses on focusing the needs and not to run after the desires.
Principle of Equity: Islamic economic system is based on concept of equitable production and
distribution of wealth. It means wealth and resources are not given equally to all by Allah. It is
because all are not equal in their mental, physical and hardworking skills and abilities. Moreover
all people have different tests and opportunities. So, distribution of wealth can also not be equal
but it will be based on fairness and justice.
Comprehensive Finance Management System: He (PBUH) established a comprehensive
finance management system by imposing appropriate taxes. He (PBUH) also proposed a
permanent name for each tax. He declared that taxes would be imposed upon the rich and spared
for the poor.
Encouragement of Trade as a noble profession: Islam has acknowledged trade as the noblest
profession. It has been the profession of the pious Messenger (SAWW). The most important
principles of the trade set by him are truthfulness and honesty. Some important rules of trade are:
 Do not deal in haram goods and services
 Do not hoard goods (no black marketing)
 Do not hide the defects of goods while selling.
 Do not cheat in measuring of goods.
 Do not swear while selling.
 Do not charge unjust profit.
 Do not compromise on the quality.
The Islamic economy is based on economic justice and law of equity, as Allah has created both
poor and rich in the society with certain responsibilities. It is duty of the government as well as
the public to make justice among these two different categories i-e have and have not.