Rise of Muhammad and the Foundation of Islam (Research Paper Sample)

Name
Instructor
Course
Date
Social, Political and Economic Conditions in Pre-Islamic Arabia that led to the Rise of Muhammad and the Foundation of Islam
Introduction
The state of affairs in pre-Islamic Arabia is a far cry from the current state of affairs in Arabia. The role of Islam in the paradigm shift witnessed in the Arabian Peninsula cannot go unmentioned. This is because the rise of the prophet Muhammad and Islam are the key driving forces behind the transformation of the Arabian Peninsula, and the Arabian people by extension. Nonetheless, it is also noteworthy to acknowledge that the rise of Muhammad and Islam is attributed to the social, political and economic conditions in pre-Islamic Arabia. This is because these conditions provided Islam and the prophet Muhammad with the divine opportunity to address all the dilemmas, both moral and political, that the Arabians faced, and to present Islam as the solution.
Political Conditions
The political arena in pre-Islamic Arabia is one that depicted no form of organization and rule. The Arabian people were largely desert dwellers without any form of organization. The Arabian population was divided into tribes, all of which led separate lives. The inability of these different Arabian tribes to unite is responsible for the anarchy that pre-Islamic Arabia suffered. Each tribe had its own leader, the chief, who served as the ‘judge’ of the tribe. The chief was responsible for settling disputes of varying natures between members of the tribe. Despite this authority, it was clearly understood that the chief wielded only moral and not political authority, over the tribe. This inability of the tribe to be ruled by an individual left the tribe’s members to their own devices insofar as matters involving other tribes were involved.
A pertinent love for vendetta was also a common feature of pre-Islamic Arabia. The absence of the rule of law saw many individuals take matters into their own hands. The result of such actions was ceaseless warfare in Arabia. The tribes constantly fought with each other as a means of settling scores. In addition to this, the anarchism inherent in the Arabs also jolted many of them into war. To the Arabs, war was perceived as another pastime or leisure activity that allowed them to hone their combat skills. The only form of organization in pre-Islamic Arabia was ‘The Mela’. This was a ‘committee’ of the chiefs of all the tribes alongside other prominent figures from the tribes. Nonetheless, The Mela only arrived at decisions after the motion had been supported unanimously. This, in essence, prevented any tribe or individual from ruling.
Economic Conditions
The economy of pre-Islamic Arabia was not as strong as that of Islamic Arabia. The economy of this nation was hinged on slave trade, agriculture and business. The varied nature of the population in Arabia also played a key role in the economic landscape of this ancient state. The Jews who lived in Arabia were the most successful farmers and entrepreneurs. Their keen interests in farming and business saw them sit atop the social food chain. They invested heavily in caravans and practiced usury. Being the most profitable form of business in pre-Islamic Arabia, usury ensured the Jews reaped tremendous profits from their lending activities. They would lend money at exorbitant rates, and this would bring them huge profits. Capitalists and other moneylenders also played a central role in the economy of pre-Islamic Arabia. Their massive investments in Caravans particularly singled them out as a rich and powerful class of individuals. The caravans of the capitalists traded in gold, silver bars, perfumes, spices and even slaves. All these commodities proved invaluable in pre-Islamic Arabia. The caravans travelled to Bahrain, Iraq, Syria and Yemen.
The economic imbalance in pre-Islamic Arabia is a pivotal factor in the foundation of Islam. The practice of usury was specifically developed to ensure that the rich get richer while the poor get poorer. For this reason, the need to eliminate the practice of usury and charging interest on money lent was a significant factor in the success of Islam. This is because it sought to establish equality in the society. The slaves and poor, who formed the most oppressed social class in society, would have an opportunity to realize equality in treatment and consideration insofar as financial matters were concerned. The province of Hijaz was the major economic center in pre-Islamic Arabia. Urban centers such as Makkah and Yathrib also formed the backbone of the economic sector in pre-Islamic Arabia.
Social Conditions
The Arabian society was predominantly male-oriented. The norms and customs followed by the Arabian tribes paid very little attention to women and their place in society. As a result, the woman was considered a sex object in pre-Islamic Arabian culture. The inability of the woman to speak out for herself, or engage in m...