Adapted from classical sources and authored by Mehran Darg
The Kaʿbah—originally built by Khalīlullāh, Prophet Ibrāhīm (عليه السلام) as a house of monotheism—had become a center of idol worship.
Each tribe had its own idol: some worshipped Hubal, others ʿUzzā and Nā’ila.
Every household had its own deity, while the Kaʿbah, once a sanctuary of truth, stood surrounded by false gods.
(Reference: Musaddas-e-Hālī, pp. 25–27, Kutub Khāna Imdādiyyah, Deoband)
✔ Oppression, looting, and bloodshed were daily norms.
✔ Petty disputes escalated into tribal wars, with indiscriminate killing.
Despite a mother’s compassion, daughters were buried alive or thrown into wells.
One companion, after accepting Islam, recounted such a story to the Prophet ﷺ—who, upon hearing it, wept with intense grief.
(Sīrat al-Nabī, Vol. 6, p. 236)
Through his noble character, wisdom, and tireless effort, the Prophet ﷺ brought a complete transformation to Arabian society in just 23 years:
① The message of Tawḥīd spread across the Arabian Peninsula.
② Shirk and idol worship were eradicated.
③ Women were honored and became cherished members of their homes.
④ Adultery, alcohol, lying, envy, and backbiting were uprooted.
The same nation, once entrenched in tyranny, became fearful of Allah and the Hereafter.
They eagerly gave their wealth for the hope of Jannah.
Maulānā Hālī beautifully captured this change:
"Was it a thunderbolt or the voice of a guide, that shook the entire land of Arabia?"
(Musaddas-e-Hālī, p. 31)
Through the company and training of the Prophet ﷺ, misled Arabs were transformed into leaders of the world.
✔ Abū Bakr (رضي الله عنه) became "The Truthful" (al-Ṣiddīq)
✔ ʿUmar (رضي الله عنه) earned the title "The One Who Distinguishes Right from Wrong" (al-Fārūq)
✔ ʿUthmān (رضي الله عنه) was called "The Possessor of Two Lights" (Dhū al-Nūrayn)
✔ ʿAlī (رضي الله عنه) was honored as "The Lion of Allah" (Asadullāh)
✔ Former slaves like Bilāl al-Ḥabashī and Salman al-Fārsī rose to become leaders and symbols of honor.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"أصحابي كالنجوم، فبأيهم اقتديتم اهتديتم"
“My Companions are like stars; whichever one you follow, you will be rightly guided.”
(Mishkāt, p. 554)
The Qur’an bears witness to their faith and piety:
﴿أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱمْتَحَنَ ٱللَّهُ قُلُوبَهُمْ لِلتَّقْوَىٰ ۚ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌۭ وَأَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ﴾
“They are those whose hearts Allah has tested for piety; for them is forgiveness and a great reward.”
(Sūrah al-Ḥujurāt, 49:3)
The teachings of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ filled the dark corners of ignorance with divine light.
Through his noble character and the sacrifices of the Ṣaḥābah, a misguided nation was turned into an exemplary Ummah.
As the poet says:
"Those who were not on the path themselves became guides for others; what a vision it was that turned mortals into saviors."
◈ The Arab Nation: From Paganism to Revolution
✦ The Kaʿbah and Idolatry
The Kaʿbah—originally built by Khalīlullāh, Prophet Ibrāhīm (عليه السلام) as a house of monotheism—had become a center of idol worship.
Each tribe had its own idol: some worshipped Hubal, others ʿUzzā and Nā’ila.
Every household had its own deity, while the Kaʿbah, once a sanctuary of truth, stood surrounded by false gods.
(Reference: Musaddas-e-Hālī, pp. 25–27, Kutub Khāna Imdādiyyah, Deoband)
◈ Moral and Social Conditions Before Islam
✔ Oppression, looting, and bloodshed were daily norms.
✔ Petty disputes escalated into tribal wars, with indiscriminate killing.
◈ Cruelty Toward Daughters
Despite a mother’s compassion, daughters were buried alive or thrown into wells.
One companion, after accepting Islam, recounted such a story to the Prophet ﷺ—who, upon hearing it, wept with intense grief.
(Sīrat al-Nabī, Vol. 6, p. 236)
◈ The Prophetic Message and Social Revolution
✦ The Call to Tawḥīd
Through his noble character, wisdom, and tireless effort, the Prophet ﷺ brought a complete transformation to Arabian society in just 23 years:
① The message of Tawḥīd spread across the Arabian Peninsula.
② Shirk and idol worship were eradicated.
③ Women were honored and became cherished members of their homes.
④ Adultery, alcohol, lying, envy, and backbiting were uprooted.
◈ The Transformation of the Arab Nation
The same nation, once entrenched in tyranny, became fearful of Allah and the Hereafter.
They eagerly gave their wealth for the hope of Jannah.
Maulānā Hālī beautifully captured this change:
"Was it a thunderbolt or the voice of a guide, that shook the entire land of Arabia?"
(Musaddas-e-Hālī, p. 31)
◈ The Role of the Companions (Ṣaḥābah)
✦ The Prophet’s ﷺ Training
Through the company and training of the Prophet ﷺ, misled Arabs were transformed into leaders of the world.
✔ Abū Bakr (رضي الله عنه) became "The Truthful" (al-Ṣiddīq)
✔ ʿUmar (رضي الله عنه) earned the title "The One Who Distinguishes Right from Wrong" (al-Fārūq)
✔ ʿUthmān (رضي الله عنه) was called "The Possessor of Two Lights" (Dhū al-Nūrayn)
✔ ʿAlī (رضي الله عنه) was honored as "The Lion of Allah" (Asadullāh)
✔ Former slaves like Bilāl al-Ḥabashī and Salman al-Fārsī rose to become leaders and symbols of honor.
◈ The Virtue of the Companions
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"أصحابي كالنجوم، فبأيهم اقتديتم اهتديتم"
“My Companions are like stars; whichever one you follow, you will be rightly guided.”
(Mishkāt, p. 554)
The Qur’an bears witness to their faith and piety:
﴿أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱمْتَحَنَ ٱللَّهُ قُلُوبَهُمْ لِلتَّقْوَىٰ ۚ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌۭ وَأَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ﴾
“They are those whose hearts Allah has tested for piety; for them is forgiveness and a great reward.”
(Sūrah al-Ḥujurāt, 49:3)
◈ Conclusion: The Light of Islam and Prophetic Nurturing
The teachings of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ filled the dark corners of ignorance with divine light.
Through his noble character and the sacrifices of the Ṣaḥābah, a misguided nation was turned into an exemplary Ummah.
As the poet says:
"Those who were not on the path themselves became guides for others; what a vision it was that turned mortals into saviors."
