Life and Teachings of the Prophet Muhammad
1. Arabia before Islam
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Of these ancient Arabs there were a sizeable number who were
known as Hanif. These people were truth seekers and they shunned
idolatry. They lived an aloof, social life. They used to say:
“O, God, I do not know how You should be
worshipped. Had I known, I would have certainly
worshipped you in that manner.”
These circumstances of the ancient Arabs and their moral
qualities had a close affinity with Islam. These people true in
nature, were as if potential converts of Islam. Therefore when the
Prophet of Islam began his preaching in 610, these Hanifs took no
time in responding to his call and became his devoted companions,
Abu Bakr ibn Abi Qahafa being one of those Hunafa. What
distinguished the Arabs from others was that they could not afford
to reject a truth when it had become clear to them. That is why in
the initial stage of the Prophet’s call, due to some
misunderstanding, a number of them turned against the Prophet
Muhammad. But when finally they learned that what the Prophet
was telling them was nothing but the truth, they took no time in
entering the fold of Islam. There are a number of incidents in the
books of Seerah to this effect.
Thus the sending of the Final Prophet was not without reason.
It was a well-planned decision of God which He in His Own
knowledge decreed. These Arabs were the living people who were
selected by God to lend full support to His final Prophet, so that
he might fulfill the divine mission.
