The Era of Islam : A Quran Perspective

Islam is a religion that is based on total submission to the will of Allah (God) and guides during periods characterized by spiritual and moral darkness. The Quran revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) during the era of islam contained a complete system of life that transformed Arabia and the whole world. In this era, the Quran was also seen as a divine guidance from heaven that acted as the constitution for social, economic, political, and spiritual reforms.

The Beginning of the Era of Islam

The Islamic Era commenced when the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) received his first revelation of the Quran in 610 A.D. This situation changed everything about human history as it brought Allah’s message directly to men. Before Islam, there used to be idol worshiping in Arabia along with a lack of knowledge among its inhabitants, conflict between tribes, and different kinds of social injustices including women’s oppression and poverty exploitation.

Allah describes the state of humanity before the advent of Islam as being in clear error:

وَإِن كَانُوا۟ مِن قَبْلُ لَفِى ضَلَـٰلٍۢ مُّبِينٍۢ

“And indeed, they were before in manifest error.”

(Surah Al-Jumu’ah 62:2)

Revelation of the Quran A Guidance and Mercy

Over 23 years, the Quran was revealed addressing the emerging Muslim community’s needs. It guided in all life aspects giving solutions to social, economic, and political problems. The verses in the Quran are full of wisdom promoting justice, mercy, and worshiping Allah only.

The Quran is referred to by Allah as a way to guide mankind

   ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبُ لَا رَيْبَ ۛ فِيهِ ۛ هُدًىۭ لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ

“This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah.”

(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:2)

In individual spiritual lives and laws for society, the Quran serves to provide guidance. Shariah or Islamic law which is derived from the Quran established justice and eliminated all social evils that were rampant in pre-Islamic Arabia.

Transformation of Society

One important effect of Quran revelation was that it changed Arabian society completely. The idol worship was abolished by Islam; Tawhid concept (monotheism) was introduced; furthermore, equality among all people irrespective of race, rank or sex is considered as paramount according the religion.

The Quran commands believers to stand for justice

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُونُوا۟ قَوَّٰمِينَ بِٱلْقِسْطِ شُهَدَآءَلِلَّهِ

This verse reveals how Islam enhances social justice and advocates for fairness on all occasions even when it goes directly against personal gain.

The Role of Women in the Era of Islam

Sure! Here’s a shorter version: “Before Islam, women had no status or rights. The Qur’an uplifted their status by granting them inheritance rights, entitlements to education, and involvement in social matters. The Quran also urges kindness and respect towards women.”Sure! Here’s a shorter version: “Before Islam, women had no status or rights. The Qur’an uplifted their status by granting them inheritance rights, entitlements to education, and involvement in social matters. The Quran also urges kindness and respect towards women.”

وَعَاشِرُوهُنَّ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ

“And live with them in kindness.”

(Surah An-Nisa 4:19)

In this verse lies a remarkable transformation; it emphasizes the need for kindness and respect toward women something that was virtually unheard of during Islamic Prehistory.

Political and Economic Reforms

Islam also brought forth important political and economic changes. The leadership concept in Islam is predicated on Shura (consultation) and justice principles. Hence, rulers are expected to base their ruling on fairness and accountability as explained in the ëfforts of Quran on ethical deals

وَأَمْرُهُمْ شُورَىٰ بَيْنَهُم

“And those who have responded to their lord and established prayer and whose affair is determined by consultation among themselves.”

(Surah Ash-Shura 42:38)

Islam had introduced economic principles like Zakat (charitable giving) while forbidding Riba (usury), making wealth distribution fair thus poverty alleviation. This encourages fairness when trading.

وَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلْوَزْنَ بِٱلْقِسْطِ وَلَا تُخْسِرُوا۟ ٱلْمِيزَانَ

“And establish weight in justice and do not make deficient the balance.”

(Surah Ar-Rahman 55:9)

This verse promotes economic justice, encouraging fairness in trade and transactions.

The Spread of Islam A Message for All Humanity

The message was not limited to Arabia only but it was for everybody. O mankind! When presented repeatedly by the Quran on the righteousness path and homage to genuine God’s call. It is clearly expressed in the following verse of Al-‘Imran Allah’s Book.

وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَـٰكَ إِلَّا كَآفَّةًۭ لِّلنَّاسِ بَشِيرًۭا وَنَذِيرًۭا

“And We have not sent you except comprehensively to mankind as a bringer of good tidings and a warner.”

(Surah Saba 34:28)

Pre Islamic Era Jahiliyah

The period preceding the coming of Islam in the Arabian Peninsula is referred to as Jahiliyyah (the Age of Ignorance) or the,pre-Islamic period in history. It was an age characterized by a social, moral, and spiritual decline during which people’s lives were determined by ignorance, superstitions and tribalism. The term “Jahiliyyah” denotes a total absence of knowledge as well as deeply rooted immorality.

1- Social and Moral Decay:

Arabian society during the Jahiliyyah epoch knew no peace due to numerous social evils. It was only tribal loyalty or blood that defined individuals hence leading to endless conflicts that destroyed families completely. Also, these wars known as tribal feuds could go on for generations over trivial matters driven by pride and vengeance.

The Quran describes this state of constant conflict

 وَكُنتُمْ
عَلَىٰ شَفَا حُفْرَةٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلنَّارِ فَأَنقَذَكُم مِّنْهَا

                 “And you were on the edge of a pit of fire, and He saved you from it.”                             

(Surah Al-Imran 3:103)

2- Idol Worship and Superstition:

Widespread idol worship characterized this period as called Jahiliyyah. The Kaaba in Mecca, originally built by Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), had been filled with idols while almost every tribe had its gods. Hence there were superstitions and blind adherence to false deities which diverted people from pure worship of Allah.

              Allah denounces this false worship in the Quran

      أَفَرَءَيْتُمُ ٱللَّـٰتَ وَٱلْعُزَّىٰ

              “So have you considered al-Lat and al-‘Uzza?”

(Surah An-Najm 53:19)

3-Injustice and Women Abuse

During this period, women underwent a great deal of oppression. They were treated like property, disinherited and subjected to acts such as killing female infants by burying them alive due to shame or as a means of avoiding poverty. The Prophet Muhammad opposed these acts resolutely, while the Qur’an raised their status.

4- Economic Exploitation and Riba

Greed and exploitation defined Jahiliyyah’s economy. Riba (usury) was everywhere; hence, it made poor people suffer from it. Rich men had the monopoly over trade and resources; little care was taken for social justice or anyone else’s welfare.
This was while Islam condemned these greedy practices by establishing Zakat (charitable giving) system which enabled wealth distribution among the less fortunate.

Conclusion

The Act of Islam, as per the Holy Quran, symbolizes a period of radical change which created the basis for an equitable and peaceful world. Following this divine revelation, ignorance and suffering were replaced with wisdom and fairness. Thus it is that the rules governing this time still provide permanent instructions bringing relief to both individuals and societies. Indeed, the holy Quran has no expiry which is why it calls everyone under its trust to live in faith harmony with justice and peace.