The Life of the Prophet (saws)

4. The Makkan scene at the start of Prophethood

Poetry was the most respected form of literature

The majority of Arabs at that time could not read or write

Literature

Makkah was a tribal society and thus lineage and ancestry was key

Protection was provided by one’s tribe

Tribes

Morally speaking, life in Makkah left much to be desired

Gambling and drinking parties were common practice

Morality

Deviation from the pure faith of Ibrahim and Ismail started long before the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (saws)

The religious beliefs of the Arabs bore little resemblance to the faith preached by the Prophets

The Arabs borrowed idolatrous worship from other nations and idols were commonplace

The Arabs allocated the idols a middle, intermediary position between them and God

Idolatry

Women were treated as inferior to men They were not allowed any share in

inheritance, and instead were treated as part of the inheritance of the deceased!

The heir disposed of the wife of the deceased as he pleased

A man could marry any number of women, divorcing them at will

The birth of a girl was received with a feeling of gloom and disaster

Women

The Arabs viewed death as bringing the absolute end of life

Resurrection was considered absolutely impossible

Death

The Arabs were not without virtues They rated bravery, faithfulness,

truthfulness and hospitality very highly However, these virtues were overshadowed

by the pursuit of pleasure which was characteristic of that society

Virtues

End