[IYF2012]: Islamic Civilization (part II)

The Mecca Era

At Mecca, it was the day of Dakwah, of human development, from those who were far from God, to those who start knowing who Allah is, and what Islam is all about. From those who know about Allah and Islam, to those who are committed in following the Prophets teaching and footsteps. From those who follow the Islamic teaching, to those who want to implement it in real life via dakwah and tarbiyah.

 

This doesn't mean that Islam does not cover political issues or economical issues or medical issue etc., rather it shows that during the start of building back the Islamic Civilization, construction of a strong foundation is a must in order to ensure the glorious Civilization which shall be built, shall last for a lifetime rather look tough but is weak in reality, as of a spider's web, as what is mentioned in the Quran;

 

مَثَلُ الَّذِينَ اتَّخَذُوا مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ أَوْلِيَاءَ كَمَثَلِ الْعَنْكَبُوتِ اتَّخَذَتْ بَيْتًا ۖ وَإِنَّ أَوْهَنَ الْبُيُوتِ لَبَيْتُ الْعَنْكَبُوتِ ۖ لَوْ كَانُوا يَعْلَمُونَ

The parable of those who take protectors other than Allah is that of the Spider, who builds (to itself) a house; but truly the flimsiest of houses― is the Spider's house if they but knew.

(Al-Ankabut, Chapter 29, verse 41)

 

This 13 year era, beginning from the year 610 up until 623, started its milestone with the importance of knowledge, as what was revealed in the first revelation to Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h):

 

اقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ

 

خَلَقَ الْإِنْسَانَ مِنْ عَلَقٍ

 

اقْرَأْ وَرَبُّكَ الْأَكْرَمُ

 

الَّذِي عَلَّمَ بِالْقَلَمِ

 

عَلَّمَ الْإِنْسَانَ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ

Proclaim! (or Read!) in the name of thy Lord and Cherisher, Who created. Created man, out of a (mere) clot of congealed blood. Proclaim! And thy Lord is Most Bountiful. He Who taught (the use of) the Pen. Taught man that which he knew not

(Al-'Alaq, Chapter 96, verse 1-5)

 

With a strategy of 3 years of closed forum dakwah, with around 40 followers from the best people in terms of loyalty and commitment, Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) then started his dakwah in the open air, beginning at Safa Hill, only to see episodes of oppositions, cruelty and detest just taking its place in history.

 

But with the best companions who ever accompanied Him, Mecca was really the era of dakwah and tarbiyah, which was proven to be the foundation and grass root of any civilization to be built.

 

To be continued…