THE ISLAMIC ERA

A historical event, whatever its value is the result of  a very long chain of events. Arabian peninsula was surrounded by different civilizations, some of them very old and developed, such as Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Babylonian and Persian civilizations, Philosophical and mythological thought, learnings in various fields, different beliefs and customs of these civilizations had influenced even the nomadic tribes of Arabia, what to say of town dwellers who were leading a settled life. Besides these there were Christian and Jewish scholars with whatever purity had been left  of their religious rituals and beliefs. Paganism and according to some Buddhism were also practiced. 

In the background Prophet of Islam was born in 570 or 571 A.D. in a very prominent family of Hashimites of Quraish tribe who, were direct descendants of Abraham ( Ibraheem in Arabic). This family was responsible for upkeep of Kaba. The family was worshiping single God. Prophets's grandfather Abdul Muttalib was incharge of Kaba when Abraha from Yamen attacked Mecca and had vowed toe demolish Kaba. Which was even then considered house of God. While Abraha was camping at the outskirts of Mecca he captured 200 camels of Abdul Muttalib. He went to Abraha and asked for release of his camels. Abraha asked him why he was not asking him to abandon the idea to demolish Kaba, to which Abdul Muttalib replied that camels belonged to him that is why he is asking for their release but the house belonged to God and the owner of the house would protect this house. This shows his faith about monotheisticism. 

Prophet passed his childhood as an orphan and major part of adulthood under the patronage of Abu Talib his uncle  and a powerful tribal chief. During this period he had established himself as a person of strongest character, seeker of truth and greatest custodian ( Ameen). During this period he was married to the wealthiest lady of Arabia, lady Khadija. The rites of marriage were performed by Abu Talib. During this period he used to go to Hira cave for prayers. All was well till Prophet declared that there is only one God and he was his prophet. Lady Khadija was the first woman and Ali was the first among men who embraced Islam. Opposition grew against him but Abut Talib defended him from all corners and he continued to preach the message. Prophet invited the polity of Mecca for a feast called Dawat-e-Zul-Ashira nd  conveyed the message among all present only Ali accepted.

When the persecution of Prophet and his followers gained momentum he ordered some of them to shift to Abyssinia. Prophet himself had to leave Mecca when tribal representatives led by Abu Jahel  and Abu Sufiyan collected in Darul Nadwa and scherned to kill prophet. One person from every tribe was chosen to do the job to avoid Hashimite revenge and onslaught after the killing. In the same night Prophet left Mecca and entered  Medina on 20th September 622 ( Gregorian). This event is called Hijrat and Hijar Calendar started from that day

After Hijrat some of the followers who were left at Mecca were persecuted; beside Kaba was situated in that city hence Prophet  marched to Mecca and captured this city without a fight but through a treaty Suleh-e-Hudaibiya which was signed between the parties ( at the request of Meccans)  which bore strange clauses for those who could not understand at that time, because it was a win for Prophet and the clauses of the treaty reflected as if Prophet was under pressure to sign that treaty; such as any person if captured by either party would be disposed in the manner that Prophet's side had to return the person to the other party and if opposition captured any one from followers of Islam he would not be returned. Time had proved that such provisions paid dividends to Islamic fold because the persons who were captured by opposition and retained as agreed, preached Islam and had helped to make more conversions.. 

After these battles the loosing opposition embraced Islam but there was a difference of genuine acceptance of Islam between commoners and their chiefs. Some of the chiefs had accepted Islam just to save the lives and property, Abu  Sufian, father of later Ommaiyads and foremost among the group of opposition, many of whose kiths and kins were slaughtered by Muslims in previous battles, accepted Islam after the takeover of Mecca because he saw it as a growing political organisation in which there was a better prospect for gaining political power on one hand and on the other to save his life and property. Many such occasions several persons were found keeping idols in their sleeves during the prayer ( Namaz) in the Mosques. One should keep in mind that taking revenge was second nature of Arabs of those days and very near relations of new converts were killed by Islamic followers in the battles of Badr and Uhad etc. However, most parts of Arabia had accepted Islam and it was religion of majority till the death of Prophet in 632 A.D (11 AH) and also there were no sects in Islam before this date.