Many non-Muslims as well as some ill-informed Muslims are of the view that Islam is quintessentially an Arab religion trying to enforce Arab culture on its adherents. This is far from it as will be shown below.
Islam rather came with its own ethos, values and culture but not rejecting the good aspects in the existing cultures. It related with the Arab culture as it related, and relates, with other cultures. It had got contacts with non-Arabs such as the Persians, the Mongols, the Uzbeks, the Malays, the Ethiopians, the Europeans as well as many others.
It is an historical fact that pre-Islam Arab was filled with hurrendous and terrific practices known as Acts of Jaahiliyyah (Ignorance).
Some Arab tribes before the advent of Islam used to kill their daughters by being buried alive. The reason? Girls don't bring honour.
The Qur'aan refers to that practice when it says:
'And when the female (infant) buried alive (as the pagan Arabs used to do) shall be questioned.' Quraan 81 vs 8.
Women were generally despised in pre-Islam Arab, denied of many rights and made objects of enjoyment (as the present day Jaahiliyyah in Europe and America has made women). Women would not inherit they would rather be inherited. Islam came and raised her status, and almost paired her with men.
The Book of Islam says:
'Verily, the most honourable of you with Allah is that (believer) who has At-Taqwa. Verily, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.: Quraan 49: 13
The Quraan also says:
'...And they (women) have rights (over their husbands as regards living expenses, etc.) similar (to those of their husbands) over them (as regards obedience and respect, etc.) to what is reasonable, but men have a degree (of responsibility) over them. And Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.' 2:228
Men and women have their assigned roles in Islam, and the roles are complementary. In fact the Messenger of Allaah - sallallahu alayhi wa sallam - describes the wife as the one to guard the homestead and bring up reputable men and women.
Other aspects of Arab culture that Islam supplanted were manners of the Arab festivals. It changed everything and brought Eidul Fitri and Eidul Ad'haa.
The manners of marriage were also modified. Some forms of marriages were outrightly outlawed an example of which is Nikaah Shigaar - two families exchanging women as wives with no bride price involved.
The manners of welcoming the newborn were also modified. Smearing newborn's head with blood of ram slaughtered for him became prohibited, among other things.
Manners of trading were modified. All forms of forced trading such as mulaamasah (touch-and-buy), mulaabadha (it hits you you buy it), buying foetuses of animals, paying for animal male mating females, engaging in riba (usury) among several others were prohibited.
Wailing over death, tearing clothes and shaving the hair of the head in state of agony, bragging with one's lineage, finding faults in other people's tribe, seeking rain via stars, divination through arrows, eating animals that died by falling or accident, women exposing their nakedness, seeking powers through jinns and magic, trailing cloths on ground (for men) were all among Jaahiliyyah practices removed by Islam.
While every form of idolatry practices were removed, it came with its own forms of worship such as Salat (which was never known to the Arabs), Zakat and fasting.
And it says there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, that cannot be seen (in this life), that establishes Himself on His Throne above the Seven Heavens, that is closer to all His creation with His Knowledge, that gives life and takes it, that provides for all and is full of mercy to all His creatures, Whose Will is done and cannot be questioned as to what He does.
That Muhammad is His slave and Messenger whom He sent to explain His Book (Al-Quraan) to them. That obeying him is tantamount to Obeying Him, and vice versa. That Muhammad is not a deity to be worshipped beside Him but a harbinger of glad tidings to the believers and punishment to the disbelievers. That believing in him is believing in the Prophets and Messengers that had preceded him, and vice versa.
That all forms of worship be it making supplications, seeking protection, showing reverence, bowing, prostrating, making vows, making slaughters, seeking succour, exercising fear, etc, are for Allaah alone. Directing them to any being, living or non living, dead or alive is Shirk (polytheism), and that is the most hateful sin to Allaah. Whoever dies associating partners with Him in any of worship shall not be forgiven by Him in the Last Day and shall be thrown into the Hell to abide therein forever.
Also one of the areas where Islam removed all idolatry practices is the Hajj (Pilgrimage). It returned it to how Allaah the Mighty commanded Nabiyy Ibrahim (Prophet Abraham) - peace and blessings on him and other Prophets - and after him, Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), to establish him.
The Messenger of Allaah - sallallahu alayhi wa sallam - had said: 'Follow my examples for your hajj rites.' (Saheeh Jaami: 7882).
All the rites of Hajj being carried out by the Muslims today be it Tawaaf (circumambulation of the Ka'abah), Sa'y (pacing between Safa and Marwa), kissing the Black Stone, standing at Arafah, throwing pebbles at Jamaraat, etc, were by the Instructions of Allaah to Prophet Ibrahim then Prophet Muhammad - sallallahu alayhi wa sallam.
The Black Stone was originally a White Stone that came from Jannah (Paradise) but which the sins of men turned black after much touching. Ibn Abbaas - radiyallahu anhuma - reported from the Messenger of Allaah - sallallahu alayhi wa sallam - that he said:
الØجر٠الأسود٠من الجنَّةÙØŒ وكان أشدَّ بياضًا من الثّلجÙØŒ Øتى سوَّدَتْه خطايا أهل٠الشّÙركÙ.
'The Black Stone was from Jannah. It was whiter than the snow until made black by the sins of the polytheists.' Recorded by Abu Daawud, An-Nasaai, Ahmad and others and graded authentic by Al-Albaani in Saheeh Targheeb (1146).
The Prophet - sallallahu alayhi wa sallam - used to kiss it as a show of affection (for something from Jannah), and he if he could not (due to traffic), he would point a staff at it and kiss that staff.
Allaah the Mighty said severally about how the Ka'abah was buiit, how the Tawaaf was commanded, slaughter of animals at hajj, etc, in the Verses of the Qur'aan below:
Surah Baqarah:
124. And (remember) when the Lord of Ibrahim (Abraham) [i.e., Allah] tried him with (certain) Commands, which he fulfilled. He (Allah) said (to him), “Verily, I am going to make you a leader (Prophet) of mankind.†[Ibrahim (Abraham)] said, “And of my offspring (to make leaders).†(Allah) said, “My Covenant (Prophethood, etc.) includes not Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers).â€
125. And (remember) when We made the House (the Ka’bah at Makkah) a place of resort for mankind and a place of safety. And take you (people) the Maqam (place) of Ibrahim (Abraham) [or the stone on which Ibrahim (Abraham) stood while he was building the Ka’bah] as a place of prayer (for some of your prayers, e.g. two Rak’at after the Tawaf of the Ka’bah at Makkah), and We commanded Ibrahim (Abraham) and Isma’il (Ishmael) that they should purify My House (the Ka’bah at Makkah) for those who are circumambulating it, or staying (I’tikaf), or bowing or prostrating themselves (there, in prayer).
126. And (remember) when Ibrahim (Abraham) said, “My Lord, make this city (Makkah) a place of security and provide its people with fruits, such of them as believe in Allah and the Last Day.†He (Allah) answered: “As for him who disbelieves, I shall leave him in contentment for a while, then I shall compel him to the torment of the Fire, and worst indeed is that destination!â€
127. And (remember) when Ibrahim (Abraham) and (his son) Isma’il (Ishmael) were raising the foundations of the House (the Ka’bah at Makkah), (saying), “Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us. Verily! You are the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.â€
128. “Our Lord! And make us submissive unto You and of our offspring a nation submissive unto You, and show us our Manasik (all the ceremonies of pilgrimage – Hajj and ‘Umrah, etc.), and accept our repentance. Truly, You are the One Who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful.
129. “Our Lord! Send amongst them a Messenger of their own (and indeed Allah answered their invocation by sending Muhammad Peace be upon him ), who shall recite unto them Your Verses and instruct them in the Book (this Qur’an) and Al-Hikmah (full knowledge of the Islamic laws and jurisprudence or wisdom or Prophethood, etc.), and sanctify them. Verily! You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.â€
130. And who turns away from the religion of Ibrahim (Abraham) (i.e. Islamic Monotheism) except him who befools himself? Truly, We chose him in this world and verily, in the Hereafter he will be among the righteous.
131. When his Lord said to him, “Submit (i.e. be a Muslim)!†He said, “I have submitted myself (as a Muslim) to the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists).â€
132. And this (submission to Allah, Islam) was enjoined by Ibrahim (Abraham) upon his sons and by Ya’qub (Jacob), (saying), “O my sons! Allah has chosen for you the (true) religion, then die not except in the Faith of Islam (as Muslims – Islamic Monotheism).â€
Then in Surah Aal Imraan:
'96. Verily, the first House (of worship) appointed for mankind was that at Bakkah (Makkah), full of blessing, and a guidance for Al-‘Alamin (the mankind and jinns).
97. In it are manifest signs (for example), the Maqam (place) of Ibrahim (Abraham); whosoever enters it, he attains security. And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Ka’bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allah, those who can afford the expenses (for one’s conveyance, provision and residence); and whoever disbelieves [i.e. denies Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah), then he is a disbeliever of Allah], then Allah stands not in need of any of the ‘Alamin (mankind and jinns).'
Then in Surah Ibrahim:
'35. And (remember) when Ibrahim (Abraham) said: “O my Lord! Make this city (Makkah) one of peace and security, and keep me and my sons away from worshipping idols.
36. “O my Lord! They have indeed led astray many among mankind. But whoso follows me, he verily is of me. And whoso disobeys me, – still You are indeed Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
37. “O our Lord! I have made some of my offspring to dwell in an uncultivable valley by Your Sacred House (the Ka’bah at Makkah); in order, O our Lord, that they may perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), so fill some hearts among men with love towards them, and (O Allah) provide them with fruits so that they may give thanks.
38. “O our Lord! Certainly, You know what we conceal and what we reveal. Nothing on the earth or in the heaven is hidden from Allah.
39. “All the praises and thanks be to Allah, Who has given me in old age Isma’il (Ishmael) and Ishaque (Isaac). Verily! My Lord is indeed the All-Hearer of invocations.
40. “O my Lord! Make me one who performs As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), and (also) from my offspring, our Lord! And accept my invocation.'
Then in Surah Hajj:
'33. In them (cattle offered for sacrifice) are benefits for you for an appointed term, and afterwards they are brought for sacrifice unto the ancient House (the Haram – sacred territory of Makkah city).
34. And for every nation We have appointed religious ceremonies, that they may mention the Name of Allah over the beast of cattle that He has given them for food. And your Ilah (God) is One Ilah (God Allah), so you must submit to Him Alone (in Islam). And (O Muhammad ) give glad tidings to the Mukhbitin [those who obey Allah with humility and are humble from among the true believers of Islamic Monotheism],
35. Whose hearts are filled with fear when Allah is mentioned; who patiently bear whatever may befall them (of calamities); and who perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), and who spend (in Allah’s Cause) out of what We have provided them.
36. And the Budn (cows, oxen, or camels driven to be offered as sacrifices by the pilgrims at the sanctuary of Makkah.) We have made for you as among the Symbols of Allah, therein you have much good. So mention the Name of Allah over them when they are drawn up in lines (for sacrifice). Then, when they are down on their sides (after slaughter), eat thereof, and feed the beggar who does not ask (men), and the beggar who asks (men). Thus have We made them subject to you that you may be grateful.
37. It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah, but it is piety from you that reaches Him. Thus have We made them subject to you that you may magnify Allah for His Guidance to you. And give glad tidings (O Muhammad ) to the Muhsinun (doers of good).'
The Verses are clear enough because they were revealed in the Qur'aan which Allaah the Mighty said it is a Plain Book, Protected from Distortions, and that has no doubt in it.
The Arabs in pre-Islam period supplanted all the rites as handed down by Ibrahim and his son, Ismail, and replaced them with their own ways.
For instance, they would circumambulate the House nakedly while they whistled and clapped their hands in the process. They were very far from guidance.
'Their Salat (prayer) at the House (of Allah, i.e. the Ka’bah at Makkah) was nothing but whistling and clapping of hands. Therefore taste the punishment because you used to disbelieve.' 8:35
They made all the idols for themselves upon the belief that Allaah the Mighty was too far away in the heaven, that their idols such as Laat, Uzzah, Manaat, etc, would help quicken their wishes to Allaah whom they could not see. They never denied the existence of Allaah the Mighty but said they needed intermediaries between them and Him.
'And those who take Auliya’ (protectors and helpers) besides Him (say): “We worship them only that they may bring us near to Allah.†Verily, Allah will judge between them concerning that wherein they differ. Truly, Allah guides not him who is a liar, and a disbeliever.' 39:3
Hope our readers can see the similarities between those people and the Isese devotees of today. The Iseses would claim that they believe in a Supreme Being they call Eledumare and that He has some Orishas such as Obatala, Orunmila, Sango, Osun, Yemoja, Olókùn, Èṣu, etc, whom they invoke to attain the blessings of that Eledumare. No difference!
Yet, there were good aspects of the Arab culture which Islam retained and made more ambivalent. Examples of such is hospitality to strangers, bravery and acts of valour, being resolute on one's decisions, etc.
The question still remains, 'did Islam come to destroy the people's culture?' We shall delve more on this in the next piece. See you then Inshaa Allaah.
(Note: All the Quraan translations here have been adapted from the Noble Quraan of Dr Muhsin Khan and Professor Taquideen al-Hilaalee).
