سیرتِ نبوی ﷺ کے عرب تہذیب و ثقافت پر انقلابی اثرات: ایک علمی و تحقیقی جائزہ

THE REVOLUTIONARY IMPACT OF THE SEERAH OF THE PROPHET ﷺ ON ARAB CIVILIZATION AND CULTURE: AN ACADEMIC AND RESEARCH-BASED ANALYSIS

Abstract

Every society's civilization and culture are shaped by its beliefs, customs, and social values. Throughout history, many individuals have influenced civilizations, but the biography of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) brought about a complete societal revolution that was intellectually, socially, morally, and spiritually unique and unparalleled.Before the advent of the Prophet (PBUH), Arab society was plagued with numerous evils and inhumane practices. Superstition, polytheism, tribal prejudice, ignorance, usury, gambling, alcoholism, moral corruption, racial discrimination, and oppression were fundamental aspects of this civilization. The Arabs believed in polytheism, where every tribe and household had its own deity. The Prophet (PBUH) introduced the message of monotheism and firmly established the oneness of Allah in Arab society. This ideology was not just a religious reform but also the foundation for social and political transformations, as monotheism implied not only the belief in one God but also the recognition of equality among all humans and the eradication of oppressive systems.The Prophet (PBUH) transformed acts of worship into an organized system, fostering spiritual discipline and practical organization among the Arabs. The Prophet (PBUH) introduced the principle of equality, which dismantled the traditional class-based structure of Arab society. Women's rights were restored and safeguarded. One of the most significant aspects of this transformation was the moral revolution. Arab society was immersed in falsehood, deceit, fraud, and immorality. Through his exemplary character, the Prophet (PBUH) established truthfulness, honesty, loyalty, patience, forgiveness, and justice. In a society where revenge was considered a symbol of honor, the Prophet (PBUH) promoted forgiveness and clemency. During the conquest of Makkah, he forgave even those who had inflicted immense suffering upon him and his companions.The legal and judicial system underwent fundamental changes. Previously, justice was accessible only to the powerful, but the Prophet (PBUH) laid the foundations of a system where no one was above the law. Islamic law ensured the protection of life, property, and dignity, mandated honesty in trade, promoted transparency in financial dealings, and abolished exploitative practices like usury. Instead, zakat (charitable giving) was introduced as a means of wealth distribution, ensuring economic justice.Trade was the backbone of the Arab economy, yet it was plagued with fraud, hoarding, and unfair practices in measurements and transactions.

The Prophet (PBUH) eradicated these malpractices and established a system where honesty became the foundation of commerce. Usury was declared forbidden to eliminate exploitation, and zakat was institutionalized, paving the way for a welfare-based economy. This led to a reduction in poverty and social stability.These transformations were not the result of a temporary movement or the efforts of a mere reformer; rather, they were the outcomes of the Prophet’s (PBUH) comprehensive and revolutionary mission. This revolution uplifted the Arabs from the depths of ignorance and provided them with a practical model of civilization and culture that remains a guiding light for the world even today. This transformation prepared the Arabs for global leadership and laid the foundation of Islamic civilization so firmly that it later influenced many regions of the world.Perhaps no other personality in history has brought about such profound and lasting changes through their character and teachings. The revolutionary impact of the Prophet’s (PBUH) biography on Arab civilization and culture was not confined to the Arabian Peninsula alone but continues to influence various parts of the world today.