Highlight the sociopolitical background of the Jahilliyah Arabs.
The Social Background
Arabs where tribal people meaning they were grouped together according to their common ancestors. Within tribes there were clans. Some tribes were wealthier than others as the people did not share their wealth which created problems especially to the poorer tribes. Muhammad was part of a tribe Quraysh tribe, within his tribe there was his clan (hashim) which were not making a lot of money and became poorer.
Because the social system was based on clans there was no way to deal with discontent. There was no way of dealing with economical situations as the only way of solving things during this time was through vendetta- you kill one of my clan, ill kill one of yours- or war.
Women had low social status and female babies were often killed at birth, other parts of Arabia where more advanced than Makkah.
The Political Background
Arabia was ruled by the Byzantine Empire at this time which was extremely advanced and a civilized society.
The Sassanian Empire ruled in the east of china to Iraq which has an advanced agricultural system and its own philosophies and literature.
These two were at war with each other from 614-628CE and religious disputes where occurring in these areas on the edge of Arabia.
Tribes are made up of clans; each clan had a leader (usually an elder). Can leaders would have almost a council to discuss tribal issues. The most powerful tribe were the Quraysh. Within tribes all members were very loyal and killing each other in a tribe was forbidden.
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