I looked at the Jahili community in a different light now. They were not stupid. They were not cavemen. In fact, they were quite modern in their economic and political system.
Or rather, today's community is modelling the Jahili economic and political system? Interesting....
'Ala kulli hal...
Islam came in at the right time. It is a saviour to the human civilisation, and it's applicable in today's context. Timeless...
Allahu Akbar.
Enjoy reading my theories =p
Its not wholesome. Still amateurish.
Nevertheless, let's embrace "balligh 'anni walau aayah"
Discuss the distinctive characteristics of the Quraisy in Makkah during the Jahiliyyah period.
Towards the end of 5th century A.D, Qusayy; Quraisy's first leader, had settled in the Meccan valley beside Kaabah. He managed to take control of Mecca and expel Bani Khuza'ah which was the reigning power who failed their sacred trust to guard the house of Allah. Since then, the Quraisy had successfully managed and protected the sacred city of Mecca and its holy Kaabah which was visited by Arabs all over the peninsula. Ideally situated at the crossroads of the two major trade routes of Arabia; the Hijaz Road which ran along the eastern coast of the Red Sea and linked the Yemen with Syria, Palestine and the Transjordan, and the Najd Road which linked the Yemen with the Iraq, the Quraisy engaged themselves in trading and stock breeding business, thus creating the city into the centre of commercial trade. The Quraisy was a powerful tribe in Arabia, and therefore, shaped their distinctive characteristics or abilities such as intelligence in trading, shrewdness in commerce, and great hospitality to guests. This paper aims to only discuss THREE traits of the Quraisy which writer thinks are distinctive as opposed to other Arabs in other cities in Arabia.
As mentioned, the Quraisy was blessed with abundance of wealth due to its geographical situation as well as the existance of the sacred house in the city. Mecca was the centre of trade and worship, attracting millions of visitors. The coming of people offered wealth and noble status to the Quraisy in Mecca. Commerce and trades opportunities allowed the Quraisy to exercise their intelligence and ability in business management such that by the end of the 6th century A.D, they had gained control of most of the trade from Yemen to Syria. In fact, their capability to strategise the caravan system to ensure effectiveness and safety travelling for trading purposes was commended in the Qur’an in a surah named after the qawm itself.
Instead of sharing their wealth equally according to the old tribal ethic, individuals were building up personal fortunes. Their new prosperity had severed their links with traditional values and many of the less successful Quraisy felt obscurely disoriented and lost. They believed that money and material goods could save them and they wanted as many of these things as they could get. This new individualistic and capitalist society challenged the traditional ethic and belief of muruwwah, which holds the ideology of dedicating chilvalrous duties of protecting the weaker members in the community. "Each man for his own" ideology started to creep in, and ensuring the survival of own's family and new social status is of more paramount importance than ensuring the tribe's survival. Quraisy had shown its distinct development into an individualistic and capitalist society which was unlike other Arabs in other cities who were still upholding the traditional concept of muruwwah.
The Quraisy's noble status in the eyes of the Arab world may have also formed a rough and arrogant front. The community was confortable enough with the status given unto them that a slight change may pose as a huge threat to their social structure. This image was clearly illustrated by Rasulullah’s family members during his early years of prophethood. Anger and spite were shown to the prophet, even by his uncles and aunts. One example is Abu Lahab’s wife who made effort to make Rasulullah's (PBUH) journey to the suq (marketplace) a torny and dangerous path. The image was clearly different of the Arabs in Medina who welcomed Rasulullah and his new teachings graciously with open arms. Yet again, the characteristic of arrogance is another distinct trait which the Quraisy exclusively possessed.
Another distinct characteristic of the Quraisy which deserve mentioning in this humble article is that, these groups of people were mentioned several times in the holy Qur'an, describing its situation before prophethood period (refer surah 48 verse 96, surah 33 verse 33, surah 5 verse 50, surah 3 verse 54 and of couse surah Quraisy) It is apparent that Allah has given special interest and mention about this community which are lessons worth learning by today's ummah.
While some scholars and historians may have described the Jahiliyah period as the age of ignorance, the writer begs to differ. As highlighted in this paper, the Quraisy in Mecca was not ignorant. They were not illiterate, and not all of them were incapable of intellectual wisdom. In fact, due to its strategic geographical location for trades and the sanctuary of the holy Kaabah, these factors gave them the opportunity to be distinctively advanced and modern in their political structure, as well as economic achievement as compared to their Arab counterparts in other cities. However, in their material progressiveness, their hearts became hollow, yearning for spiritual provisions and rationale. Islam was first received by the Arabs of Mecca in an atmosphere of cut-throat capitalism and high finance. Moral values were confused of, and spritual restlessness surfaced. Fortunately, the coming of Islam, the religion of Allah, sheds light and positivism to these characteristics and meanings to their existence and success.
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