The Essence of Islam – Volume I — Page 316
316. Essence of Islam-1 has affected the whole Islāmic world. His honour revived the world. In Arabia, adultery, drinking and fighting were rife. Human rights were completely disregarded. There was no sympathy for mankind. Even the rights of God were repudiated altogether. Stones and plants and stars were invested with Divine attributes. Diverse types of shirk were widespread. Not only man but even human genitals were worshipped. If a person possessing a sane nature were to observe those conditions even for a short while he would behold a terrible scene of darkness, wrongdoing and tyranny. Paralysis strikes on one side, but this was a paralysis which had struck both sides. The world had been completely corrupted. There was security neither on water nor on land. . The Holy Prophet [peace and blessings of Allāh be on him] appeared in this age of darkness and destruction, and reformed perfectly both sides of the balance and reestablished the rights of God and the rights of man on their true centre. The moral power of the Holy Prophet [peace and blessings of Allāh be on him] can be estimated by considering the condition of the age. The persecutions to which he and his followers were subjected and the treatment that he accorded to his enemies, when he obtained power over them, demonstrate the height of his rank. . There was no torment that Abū Jahl and his companions did not inflict upon the Holy Prophet [peace and blessings of Allāh be on him] and his devoted companions. . Poor Muslim women were tied to the feet of camels which were then driven in opposite directions and their bodies were thus torn asunder; their only offence being that they believed: