Arabian Peninsula is the homeland of Islam. Nomadic Arabs (Bedouins) lived in Arabian Peninsula; they were organized as independent clans and tribes and worshipped variety of gods. Arabia also had some sedentary, and agricultural areas; some of them were located on important East–West trade routes; and Mecca was the most important trade center. In Mecca, Kaaba was the most prominent religious shrine. Quraysh tribe controlled local trade and pilgrimage and enjoyed very high social status. The prophet of Islam, Muhammad Ibn Abdullah (570–632 c.e.), was born to the top house of Quraysh. The revelations to Muhammad from Allah started in 610 c.e.
Prophet Muhammad came with radical new teachings: monotheistic, Muhammad as “the seal of the prophets”, return to old, pure religion of Abraham, central tenet: submission to Allah (Muslim is “one who submits”) need to create a new society of social justice, equality, and care for others (the umma). The core message of Islam is summarized in the Five Pillars of Islam: first pillar is simple profession: “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of God.” Prayer five times a day at prescribed times, generous giving to help the community and the needy, fasting during the month of Ramadan, pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj).
The Islamic state grew to include all or part of Egyptian, Roman/Byzantine, Persian, Mesopotamian, and Indian civilizations. Many people in and out of Arab Empire converted to Islam; and Arabic culture and language spread widely.
Quran improved the situation of women in various ways: it banned female infanticide, gave women control over their own property, granted limited rights of inheritance, required woman’s consent to a marriage, recognized a woman’s right to sexual satisfaction.
No comments:
Post a Comment