The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume I — Page 187
VI - Commencement of <mark>Prophet</mark>hood 187 “O Ye People! Surely you and your idols which you worship are the fuel of Hell. ” 1 These statements had blazed a fire among the Quraish, and they stood up united to oblit<mark>era</mark>te Islām. 2. With the exception of idolatry, the customs and morals of the Arabs have been mentioned in the beginning of t<mark>his</mark> book. The arena of adultery, alcohol, gambling, pillaging, murder, and unlawful gains w<mark>as</mark> ever ablaze. Islām, on the other hand, condemned <mark>such</mark> things. <mark>As</mark> <mark>such</mark>, by accepting Islām, they were compelled to adopt a new way of life, and the Quraish were not prepared for t<mark>his</mark> in the le<mark>as</mark>t. Similar w<mark>as</mark> the c<mark>as</mark>e with ritualism, which had, <mark>as</mark> if, become part of the Arab religion. Islām, on the other hand, prohibited and crushed all vile, immoral, and irreligious rituals. 3. To honour the traditions of <mark>their</mark> ancestors and follow them, whether right or wrong, w<mark>as</mark> a part of the Arab religion. For t<mark>his</mark> re<mark>as</mark>on, they insisted: “Nay, we will follow that wherein we found our fathers” 2 However, Islām declared God-given intellect an arbitrator between truth and falsehood, and with regards to <mark>their</mark> idolatrous ancestors, it clearly <mark>sa</mark>id: “Shall they then follow <mark>their</mark> fathers, even if they had no sense at all and no guidance?” 3 4. The Quraish were a very arrogant people. These people thought of no one like unto themselves. <mark>As</mark> far <mark>as</mark> slaves were concerned, they <mark>especially</mark> desired to deb<mark>as</mark>e them and keep them down-trodden. Quite the contrary, with respect to rights, Islām dispelled all <mark>such</mark> 1 Al-Anbiyā’ (21:99) 2 Al-Baqarah (2:171) 3 Al-Baqarah (2:171)