The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume I — Page 77
II - Arabia & its Inhabitants 77 Rituals and their Veneration It shall now be mentioned that upon the advent of Islām, Arabia was composed of many religions which adhered to diverse doctrines and different ideologies. However, with respect to lifestyle and national character, all of Arabia was under the same precept. Moreover, the habits and characteristics mentioned above were common to all. In the time of the Jāhiliyyah , there was a Jewish Chieftain in Yathrib named Fiṭyūn. This wretched man’s general order throughout the city was that any girl who was to be married was first required to come to his home first. Hence, at the time of marriage, a majority of the Jews in Yathrib would send their unmarried girls to his home before they were lawful to anyone else. Eventually, a man, in his indignation, killed Fiṭyūn. 1 Similarly, in this era, the Christians were also in an awful state, as acknowledged by Muir himself in his book. 2 Therefore, in Arabia, with regards to lifestyle, characteristics and national customs, whether Idolaters, Jewish or Christian, all were similar in hue. The blazing arena of bloodshed, devastation, gambling, fornication and drinking burnt in every corner. Similarly, it was common among all to conform to rituals, to such extent as religion became inconsequential before them. Strange rituals disseminated throughout the country. For example, one ritual was to seek lot by divining arrows. In other words, ten people would include their share in a sacrifice, after which its division would not be through proportionally equal shares; rather lots were drawn by divining arrows. In this manner, people would acquire their share by the lots which were drawn to them, while others would remain without any share at all. Every arrow was assigned a name to which differentially separate portions were assigned. The seeking of omens by divining arrows was also a commonly practised ritual. Prior to the commencement of any task, omens would be taken by divining arrows. Divining arrows were also placed in the Ka‘bah as well and people would go there to seek omens. It was also common to take omens by the flight of birds. Among various Arabian tribes, another eccentric custom was after departing for travel, if for some reason, a return was necessary during the course of travel, they would not enter through the front door, rather, they 1 Sīratun-Nabī, By Shiblī Nu‘mānī, Volume 1, p. 148, Bāb Madīnah Munawwarah awr Anṣār, Published by the Ḥudhaifah Academy, Urdu Bazār, Lahore (2000) 2 Life of ‘Mahomet’, By Sir William Muir, pg. xcv, Reprint of the 1894 Ed. , Published by Voice of India New Delhi