Seerat-un-Nabi ﷺ (Episode 9)

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*Seerat-un-Nabi ﷺ (Episode 9) - Al-Ma'rifat Manzil*

In the last episode, the beliefs of the polytheists of Hijaz and Arabia and the history of idol worship were described. In this episode, we will present a brief overview of other religions and faiths present in Arabia at the time of your ﷺ blessed birth.

*Judaism*

After idol worship, the second most important religion in Arabia was Judaism. These people settled in this land for two reasons. First, 500 years before the birth of Hazrat Isa (AS), when the Babylonian king "Nebuchadnezzar" ravaged Palestine, many Jewish tribes fled to save their lives. A few of these tribes came towards Arabia and settled there feeling safe.

The second very important reason was that Jews knew from the prophecies of Torah and Psalms that Allah was soon going to send His last Prophet ﷺ in Arabia. They considered this Prophet as their savior, so they came and settled here waiting for the last Prophet. Since from Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) till you ﷺ, all prophets came from Bani Israel, they thought the last Prophet would also be from Bani Israel. But when you ﷺ received prophethood, despite all the signs of the last Prophet mentioned in Torah and other scriptures being clearly visible in you ﷺ, the Jews of Arabia refused to accept you ﷺ as Prophet merely out of jealousy that you ﷺ were from Bani Ismail instead of Bani Israel.

First they settled in Yathrib (Madinah) and Khaibar. Due to their influence, some locals also converted to Judaism. Then in 354 BC, two Jewish preachers reached Yemen from Yathrib, and due to their influence, the Himyari king of Yemen "Yusuf Dhu Nuwas" accepted Judaism, so Judaism flourished greatly in Yemen.

Due to their knowledge and wealth, they considered themselves much superior to Arabs and considered Arabs as "Ummi" i.e., ignorant. This racist nation considered itself beloved of God. They thought hellfire would not touch them for more than a few days. Although they had lost all virtues - usury had become their habit, altering Torah as needed was common. Religion was like a maid in their house. Since they considered themselves superior, all kinds of deceit against others was lawful to them. Yet despite worldliness, they had monopoly over theology in Madinah. Their influence can be judged by the fact that if a tribe of Aus and Khazraj had no children, they would vow that if they had a son, they would make him a Jew.

*Christianity*

The third important religion among Arabs was Christianity. About 250 years after Hazrat Isa (AS), under the influence of Roman Christian government, Arab tribes towards Syria accepted Christianity. On the other side, the Arab king of Hirah "Nu'man bin Mundhir" accepted Christianity so many people there became Christians. While in Yemen, when some people became Christian due to preachers, the Jewish king Yusuf Dhu Nuwas oppressed and killed them. When this news reached Rome, the Caesar was furious. He ordered the King of Abyssinia, a Christian ruler in Roman influence, to avenge. So an Abyssinian army came and defeated Yusuf Dhu Nuwas and established Christian government in Yemen.

"Abraha bin Ashram" was a commander of this army who gradually became the semi-independent king of Yemen. He was a staunch Christian and did immense work for Christianity. Remember, this is the same Abraha who built a grand church in Sana'a in competition with Kaaba and then attacked Makkah to demolish Kaaba.

Christians of that time, instead of teachings of Isa (AS), had become followers of "St. Paul". St. Paul was earlier a Jew. He claimed Isa (AS) ordered him in a dream to spread his religion. So he became Christian and gradually turned Christianity from a divine religion into a religion full of Shirk. He included the concept of Trinity - three gods, declared Isa (AS) as son of God. He deluded Christians that Isa (AS) atoned for all sins by crucifixion, so they are free to sin. Under St. Paul's influence, Christians considered confession before a priest enough. However, compared to Jews, their moral condition was somewhat better and they had ability to accept truth. This can be seen even today - among those who accept Islam after knowing its truth, Christians are much more than Jews.

*To be continued InshaAllah...*