Pre Islamic Arabia, the world is wandering in darkness. Values and moralities are nonexistent.

People would practice and encourage their own desires and needs, not carong for the rights and needs of others. This would cause a lot of injustice and indiferences amongst one another. When addressing the King, Jafar ibn Talib explains: "We were people of ignorance, we break off ties of kinship, treated our neighbours badly, and the strong amongst us abused the weak." 1 Allah has stated the truth in his Revelation regarding the people of Arabia by stating: Corruption has appeared throughout the land and sea by [reason of] what the hands of people have earned so He may let them taste part of [the consequence of] what they have done that perhaps they will return [to righteousness]. 2 The Messenger of Allah was definitely sent as a means of mercy upon mankind (21:107) 3 He taught the lost and arrogant a way of life and a way of creating peace and unity amongst one another. As Jafar ibn Talib continues to explain: "He commanded us to speak the truth, to be faithful, to be good to neighbours and to refrain from crimes and bloodshed. He has forbidden us from lying, taking property from orphans and slandering chaste women." 4 Amongst the corruption, Tribes men had ruler ship over everyone, including the Kings. The basis of unjust affairs amongst the people of Arab was created from here. The rich would abuse their power and status over the poor and deal unjustly with them. It is not a theocratic system in the sense that a certain class of people assume divine rights. 5 The political outlook of Islam should be understood in order to derive full pleasures of what the Messenger has taught us. And this is based upon many principles, the first and most important is to understand that every deed of the Muslim individual or group of individuals must be inspired and guided by the law of God, the Quran. 6 Allah has stated in the Holy Quran regarding the rules and regulations that he has sent down upon the Messenger as to be being the only way to success and creating justice amongst the people (5:47-50). 7 In another chapter of the Holy Quran it is stated: Indeed, this Qur'an guides to that which is most suitable and gives good tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a great reward. 8 Due to class differences amongst the leaders of Arabia, a norm was created amongst the privileged and the non-privileged of control and order. Also known as the master and slave relationship, many took this relationship as a means of gaining wealth and respect cheaply by being unjust and cruel towards their slaves, while a minority fulfilled the rights of their slaves and were kind towards them.

Earning a livable income was very limited. The main ways the Arabs would earn was by festivals and trading. Backward minded people took a step back from earning and raised their hands towards the rich and those that where doing well for themselves in their businesses. The Messenger is reported as having said: "it is far better for one to take a rope and an axe, cut wood and bundle it, then sell the bundles in order to eat and give charity, than to beg from others who may give or not give." 9 A trend developed where shopkeepers would not be just in giving customers their full rights. They would decrease the amount of what the customer had a right over and expected full income in return. A stern punishment for those that commit such treacherous acts is mentioned in the Holy Quran; Woe to those who give less [than due], [1] who, when they take a measure from people, take in full. [2] But if they give by measure or by weight to them, they cause loss. [3]10 Allah has made compulsory on those who are working for others or who simply work, to be honest and efficient in their work. The Messenger taught everyone to deal in a fair and just manner, no regards to who it is. Women also held a status in the business end of the market. The greatest example of this is none other than the noble wife of the Messenger, Khadija. Her business talents were inherited by her father who was a successful businessman himself. It is said that when the Quraysh's trade caravans gathered to embark upon their lengthy and arduous journey either to Syria during the summer or to Yemen during the winter, Khadija's caravan equalled the caravans of all other traders of the Quraish put together. From the wealth that she had gained, she would spend profusely on clothing the poor, spending on her family; provide the means of marriage for those of her kin who could not afford to do so. Because of her just and fair trading, she gained a high status of respect amongst the Arabs, thus being the reason of her marriage to the Messenger. The issue regarding the status of women in Islam in the era of the Messenger has been subject to many debates and issues. Women were referred to as property and were often passed down as inheritance. Allah has stated in his Revelation: O you who have believed, it is not lawful for you to inherit women by compulsion.11 The inheritance that the women would be taken from them. Women were made to become prostitutes by their own husbands and the fathers would not give their daughters any choice in marriage, Allah has also stated: And live with them in kindness. For if you dislike them, perhaps you dislike a thing and Allah makes therein much good.12 Men would marry and commit illicit acts with as many women they would like. Allah has stated: marry those that please you of [other] women, two or three or four. But if you fear that you will not be just, then [marry only] one13

Notes
1 2

Ablasan Al Nadv, Muhammad the Last Prophet: A Model for All Time, p45 Ablasan Al Nadv, Muhammad the Last Prophet: A Model for All Time, p13 Quran (30:1)

3 4 5 6 7

Quran (21:07) Ablasan Al Nadv, Muhammad the Last Prophet: A Model for All Time, p52 ammdah Abd al-, Islam in focus, p127 ammdah Abd al-, Islam in focus, p127 ammdah Abd al-, Islam in focus, p127 Quran (5:47-50)

ammdah Abd al-, Islam in focus, p127 Quran (17:9)

9 10

ammdah Abd al-, Islam in focus, p123 ammdah Abd al-, Islam in focus, p124/5 Quran (83:1-3)

11 12 13

Quran (4:19) Quran (4:19) Quran (4:3)