Basic HTML Version
22
identical to generosity in both pronunciation and spelling. Gambling was also another
practice of theirs closely associated with generosity since the proceeds would always go to
charity. Even the Noble Qur’ân does not play down the benefits that derive from wine
drinking and gambling, but also says,
“And the sin of them is greater than their benefit.” [2:219]
3. Keeping a covenant: For the Arab, to make a promise was to run into debt. He would never
grudge the death of his children or destruction of his household just to uphold the deep-
rooted tradition of covenant-keeping. The literature of that period is rich in stories
highlighting this merit.
4. Sense of honour and repudiation of injustice: This attribute stemmed mainly from excess
courage, keen sense of self-esteem and impetuosity. The Arab was always in revolt against
the least allusion to humiliation or slackness. He would never hesitate to sacrifice himself to
maintain his ever alert sense of self-respect.
5. Firm will and determination: An Arab would never desist an avenue conducive to an object
of pride or a standing of honour, even if it were at the expense of his life.
6. Forbearance, perseverance and mildness: The Arab regarded these traits with great
admiration, no wonder, his impetuosity and courage-based life was sadly wanting in them.
7. Pure and simple bedouin life, still untarnished with accessories of deceptive urban
appearances, was a driving reason to his nature of truthfulness and honesty, and
detachment from intrigue and treachery.
Such priceless ethics coupled with a favourable geographical position of Arabia were in fact the
factors that lay behind selecting the Arabs to undertake the burden of communicating the Message
(of Islam) and leading mankind down a new course of life.
In this regard, these ethics per se, though detrimental in some areas, and in need of rectification in
certain aspects, were greatly invaluable to the ultimate welfare of the human community and Islam
has did it completely.
The most priceless ethics, next to covenant-keeping, were no doubt their sense of self-esteem and
strong determination, two human traits indispensable in combatting evil and eliminating moral
corruption on the one hand, and establishing a good and justice-orientated society, on the other.
Actually, the life of the Arabs in the pre-Islamic period was rich in other countless virtues we do not
need to enumerate for the time being.
Click on View to read this book online under free books www.islamicbulletin.com