Prior to Islam, the foremost Arab religions were Christianity, Judaism, and Bedouin polytheism. People who used to practice Bedouin polytheism converged in Mecca. These people used the Ka’ba as a place of worship for its members. Islam developed in the seventh century. A number of individuals have been wondering how Islam became a leading religion in the Middle East. In 612, the prophet Muhammad came to Middle East. The prophet introduced activities that led to the introduction of monotheism and the end of the pagan society. In addition, prophet Muhammad altered the manner in which society operated because, during this period, a large number of Arabs were pagans who called on soothsayers for prophesies, believed in spirits, and worshipped local gods. Muhammad took it upon himself to teach the people of Middle East to worship only one God. He also informed them that the sole God was the creator of the world. In addition, he taught the people of Middle East morals and demonstrated conduct. He also developed a society which took into account compassion, justice, and equity, and also taught the people to live as intended by God (Hossein 26). This paper will look at the differences that the advent and spread of Islam had on the people and culture of the Middle East. The paper will discuss three components that were tremendously influenced by Islam.
First, the advent and spread of Islam had an impact on the culture and people of Middle East by setting up moral codes, which would help the society to advance. The Middle East would be catastrophic without the moral codes introduced by Islam. The Qur’an acted as a source of these moral codes which were employed to help shape the Middle East society. The moral codes provided by the Qur’an acted as straightforward guidance from God himself, and highlighted what were right, expected, wrong, and acceptable. There were several significant moral codes which Islam developed in the Middle East. For example, intoxication was not permitted, lewd behavior and fornication were forbidden, and the laws of society had to be obeyed. The entire purpose of these codes was to guide the people of Middle East to live in accordance to the dictation of God. Islam implements these moral codes by informing the people that if they do not adhere to these laws, then they are not living according to the desire of God, and will have to deal with the outcomes of their acts (Armstrong 45). Therefore, according to Islamic teachings, one may argue that, for every awful act, there is a consequence. This is largely because God is aware of every action and each person will be held into account in the spirit world.
Life without Islamic teachings left the people of Middle East morally deprived. It was pointless to live as life did not have any purpose or meaning. Moreover, there was no assistance to help them develop morals for their own selves. In contrast, the pagans relied on spirits and soothsayers for decision and answers. Before the advent and spread of Islam, the Bedouins of the 7th century did not have a uniting religious system. This people were largely engrossed in daily pleasures making them not to have a religion or unification. Additionally, there was no system of administration. Consequently, there was no sense of moral code or law. This encouraged individuals to take the law into their own hands. Leading and fornication were allowed, and individuals became heavy consumers of alcohol. In situations that involved the commission of crime, the aggrieved party or victim acted according to what he deemed right and attempted to dispense justice to the wrongdoer. Islam put an end to all the immoral activities. It introduced laws highlighted in the Qur’an to forbid lewd behavior, fornication, and intoxication, and make sure the laws of the society were obeyed (Sonn 37).
Second, the advent and spread of Islam helped in allowing women enjoy their freedom and rights. If it were not for Islam, members of the female population in the Middle East would have continued being dispossessed of their freedom and rights. The society did not regard females as identical to men and treated them as sexual objects. Prior to Islam in the Middle East, members of the female population were not considered to have any worth in society. Male members did not show them any form of respect. Nevertheless, the advent and spread of Islam enhanced the living conditions of females and advanced their freedom and rights. Islam asserts that the status of Muslim females is identical to the status of Muslim males. The Qur’an indicates that God has given identical responsibilities to both men and women and considers both of them to be equal. In addition, Prophet Muhammad also emphasized the significance of treating women in a similar fashion as men. He also treated females with the respect they deserved and was extremely kind to them (Sonn 66). Before Islam, male individual dominated all aspects of the Middle East society. Women did not have status in society, for example, they had no say in choosing their companions. Only males were mandated to select their spouses. In addition, remarrying was not permitted. Nonetheless, after the advent and spread of Islam both males and females have identical rights and can leave according to their desires.
Finally, prior to the advent and spread of the Islamic religion, the Middle East existed only as a collection of countries. Nonetheless, after its introduction, the Middle East existed almost exclusively under Islam. This prompted administrations in this part of the globe to largely include laws and traditions of Islam as elements in their political set up. This is because Islamic teachings assert that government and religion not only run concurrently, but are almost one and the same (Armstrong 91). It may also be argued that were democracy to be incorporated in the political environment in the Middle East, it would most probably not be modeled after countries from the Western part of the world. This is because numerous cultural practices treasured, for example, capitalism and consumerism, were held in contempt by the Islam religion. The powerful religious ties furthered by Islam ensured that the Middle East society incorporated Islamic teachings in running their governments. In conclusion, the Islamic religion has had a significant impact in the transition of the Middle East socially, morally, and politically. Ever since the advent and spread of Islam, the Middle East has developed into a society which has well defined moral codes, social practices, and political structures. People in this region can now adequately distinguish between acceptable and improper practices because these are now regarded as straightforward commands from God.
Works Cited
Armstrong, K. Islam: A Short History. New York: Modern Library, 2000. Print.
Hossein, N. S. Islam: Religion, History and Civilization. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2003. Print.
Sonn, T. A Brief History of Islam. Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishing, 2004. Print.
