Muhammad a Prophet For all Humanity
10. The Prophet in Makkah
~ 241 ~
THE APTITUDE OF THE ARABS
Now we come to the factors that produce the
reaction that Islamic preaching evokes. However
untiring the efforts of the preacher, and no matter
how accurately he presents the true message of
Islam, it is more the disposition of his audience that
determines whether his call is accepted or not. The
character of the Arabs was a valuable factor, which
contributed towards their acceptance of Islam. They
were simple human beings, brought up in simple,
natural surroundings. Despite their superficial
ignorance and stubbornness, they retained the
qualities of their environment. Thirty million square
kilometres of desert, the hot, bare, hard country in
which they lived, was an ideal breeding ground for
the most lofty human values. An average Arab had
just one source of income—his camel. But if he had
guests he would sacrifice this invaluable beast in
order to provide them with food. If a victim of
oppression took refuge with an Arab in his tent, he
knew he had a friend who would give his own life
in defence of the wronged. Even plunderers did
their looting in a chivalrous manner. If they wanted
to snatch clothes and jewellery off a tribe’s
