The Historical Transition of Islamic Religion

Religion makes many people globally find meaning in life and gives humans a sense of hope in life because life is full of challenges. These challenges led many people to depression and despair. Still, religion reassures humans that an ultimate someone is watching over them who has a better reward at the end of the awaiting time. The reward is not for the faint-hearted, and different religions prescribe the defilers of laws. The two largest religions globally are Christianity and Islam. Christians believe in one God and Jesus as his son, while Islam believes in their God, Muhammed[1]. The Islamic religion is one of the youngest religions, and it originates in Arabia, an independent country with citizens with similar appearances. Before the Islam religion, Arabians embraced polytheistic beliefs, Judaism, Christianity, Manichaeism and Zoroastrianism and they were not united. These will explain widely the beliefs and transitions that followed the theme of diversity.

The countries that formed Arabia were; Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and a large part was occupied by Saudi Arabia. Before the transition to Islam, Arabia was inhabited by nomadic tribes that were hunters and gatherers. These tribes survived on milk, meat and blood from the animals they reared. The nomadic and protective nature of these tribes increased the levels of insecurity because they raided for animals, gold, women and fabric. The Arabian tribes occupied the southern part of the Syrian Desert. They did not move to occupy the other parts due to insecurity and uncivilization, which is having an undeveloped culture and way of life by not being concerned and lacking to show care to others.

After inhabiting communities in Arabia for a while, they started embracing civilization, especially from the 300BCE to 300 CE, especially from the Arabian living in the northern parts of Arabia, which enabled them to serve as aides for the Eastern part tribe that experienced civilization was Dilmun that was experienced in the 600CE[2]. These led to the formation of several kingdoms for the south; they were; Sabeans and Mandaeans, and for the east, it was Samad. The Roman Empire took over the northwestern part around 106 CE TO 630 CE and renamed it northwestern Arabia Petraea. The Sassanian, Iranian, and Parthian empires took over the other remaining parts.

Before the introduction of Islam in Arabia, Christianity had already set its roots in the area. As mentioned by Paul about Arabia in the New Testament book of Galatians chapter 1:15-17 and Arabian Christianity dominated the southern part. The city of Najran was the center of Christianity due to many worship places in the center. The Christians viewed Christ as an individual highly inspired by God and a fellow man who would connect humans with God. The Arabian Christian did not believe in the holy trinity (God the father, son and the Holy Spirit).

Unlike Islam, Judaism is a group of believers that only believe in and worship one God. The act of believing and worshipping one God is called Monotheism, and Judaism is considered the oldest monotheistic religion in the world. According to the Jewish religion, who were also inhabitants of Arabia before the introduction of Islam, they also believed in one God. Like Islam, who believed in their one God, the Muhammed and their Gods talked to the people through prophets, dreams, and dreams and visions. There were also Jews in Arabia who went to the Jewish places of worship in Babylon and Palestine.

The Jews observed their sabbath day either at home or in the synagogue by saying three prayers a day; if at home and in the synagogue, they would use a prayer book called siddur and often led by a rabbi[3]. The prayers were sung, and in the prayer mood, they all stood as a reminder to honor their God. For Islam, they worshipped by praying and reciting the Quran and believed in life after death. The men and women prayed in different rooms (bowing, kneeling prostration and reciting their praises to their God), and for the Christians, they worshipped by praising, reading the scripture from their Holy Bible, praying from various sorts, sermons and celebrating the holy communion.

Zoroastrians also existed in Arabia before the introduction of Islam, and these communities believed in one God, and their God’s name was Ahura Mazda meaning an all-wise God. They believed their God was everywhere, powerful and all-knowing, and they believed in doing more charity work and being good to everyone (avoiding hatred by solving issues whenever they arise and not holding grudges toward others). Ahura was also believed to be a God of good things and happiness, the owner of life and an unchanging God who they believed to be the same as the God of the Christians.

The Islamic religion came as a result of the political, social, economic, cultural and military development of Arabia[4]. After Islamic civilization in most parts of Arabia, more people were drawn closer to their God; there was a connection and belief between the earth and heavens, brought the belief to the world, balanced the mind and the heart and finally created a channel between science and faith by enlightening the importance of moral development and its importance[5]. This civilization contributes to global development by improving technology, developmental science and integrating cultures.

 In summary, the experience of change and the diversion of religion in all the based religions transforms the individual and the whole community. The changes are not limited to person by are contributed an individual decision, compulsory marital conversion, forced change and deathbed change. Finally, religion as a whole, regardless of which has benefits, improves the self-esteem, improves the health and well-being of an individual and reduces chances of divorce, Drug and alcohol abuse, crimes, divorces, childbirth before wedlock, immorality, suicides, anxiety and prejudices. The existence of uncivilization caused the states, as mentioned earlier.

Bibliography

Avanzini, Alessandra. “By land and by sea: a history of South Arabia before Islam recounted from inscriptions.” By land and by sea (2016): 1-378.

De Lacy, O. L. (2013). Arabia Before Muhammad. Routledge.

Gries, Peter, Jenny Su, and David Schak. “Toward the scientific study of polytheism: Beyond forced‐choice measures of religious belief.” Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 51, no. 4 (2012): 623-637.

Muir, William. The Life of Mahomet and History of Islam to the Era of the Hegira: With Introductory Chapters on the Original Sources for the Biography of Mahomet and on the Pre-Islamite History of Arabia. Vol. 4. Smith, Elder & Company, 1861.

[1] Avanzini, Alessandra. “By land and by sea: a history of South Arabia before Islam recountedfrom inscriptions.” By land and by sea (2016): 1-378.

[2] De Lacy, O’Leary. Arabia Before Muhammad. Routledge, 2013.

[3] De Lacy, O’Leary. Arabia Before Muhammad. Routledge, 2013.

[4] Gries, Peter, Jenny Su, and David Schak. “Toward the scientific study of polytheism: Beyond

forced‐choice measures of religious belief.” Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 51, no. 4 (2012): 623-637.

[5]Muir, William. The Life of Mahomet and History of Islam to the Era of the Hegira: With

Introductory Chapters on the Original Sources for the Biography of Mahomet and on the Pre-Islamite History of Arabia. Vol. 4. Smith, Elder & Company, 186.