The Divine Education Model in the Family of the Prophets (Part 140)
Educational Lessons from the Life of the Messenger of Allah, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
The Conditions of the World Before the Birth and Prophethood of the Noble Messenger (PBUH)
The Conditions of the Countries and Nations of the World Before Islam
The Roman Empire
Social Disorder and Economic Problems
In the Eastern Roman Empire, social disorder had reached its peak. Despite the difficulties faced by the general population, taxes and bribery had also multiplied several times. The confiscation and seizure of people’s property was another calamity that had caused people to become deeply resentful and angry with the government, to the extent that they preferred accepting any foreign government over their own. Widespread confrontations and strikes took place for this reason. In 532 CE, three thousand people were killed in a clash in the capital.
Despite the urgent need for frugality in living expenses, people had fallen deeply into extravagance and had reached the extreme of wasteful spending. Acquiring wealth by any possible means and spending it on pleasure and sensual indulgence had become the sole aspiration of many individuals. The foundations of virtue and the principles of morality had collapsed. In an effort to free themselves from restraints in satisfying their sexual desires, people preferred a single life over married life. As Sismondi states: “Justice was bought and sold like a commodity in the marketplace, while treachery and bribery were encouraged by the society of that time.”
Gibbon says, “By the end of the sixth century, the government had reached the final stage of decline.”
“The Eastern Roman Empire was, in reality, like a tree whose broad shade had once benefited people, but of which nothing now remained except a dry trunk that was becoming more withered day by day.” [1]
The Religious and Economic Conditions of Egypt Under Roman Rule
Despite possessing the blessed Nile and vast, fertile lands, Egypt in the seventh century was one of the most miserable countries under the influence of Christianity and the Roman government. From Christianity, the people gained little beyond disputes and debates concerning the nature of Jesus (AS), metaphysics, and divine philosophy. By the seventh century, these disputes had reached their worst form and had exhausted the intellectual and practical capacities of the people. As for the Roman government, the people of Egypt experienced nothing but brutal religious violence and disgraceful political tyranny. Within ten years, the Egyptian people suffered so much bitterness and hardship that Europe would experience only over several decades during the period of the Inquisition.
Ultimately, Egypt became detached from many of its aspirations in life and from its religious and spiritual mission. Although it was a Roman colony, it had no political freedom, and although it followed the Christian faith, it was deprived of religious and intellectual freedom.
Dr. Gustave Le Bon says in his book The Civilization of the Arabs, “Egypt was forced to accept Christianity. Through this, it reached the final stage of decline. It was only the conquests of the Muslims that saved it from this calamity.”
At the same time, the Romans had chosen Egypt as a milch cow, consuming all its produce and exhausting its resources. Alfred says, “The Roman government had imposed heavy jizya and enormous taxes upon the people of Egypt, and there is no doubt that Roman taxation was extremely burdensome and implemented without fairness.” [2]
If we examine the condition of the Roman Empire, we encounter a society that outwardly possessed power, splendor, greatness, and civilization, yet internally struggled with deep social and economic problems. The authoritarian government imposed heavy taxes and enormous pressure on the people, while the weaker classes of society lived in poverty and deprivation. Under such circumstances, some families became so burdened by debt and economic difficulties that they sold their children in order to pay their debts.
In contrast, the wealthy classes and those in positions of power enjoyed abundant resources and lived in comfort, luxury, and indulgence.
On the other hand, the Romans also considered themselves followers of religion; however, merely claiming religious devotion could not save society from oppression, discrimination, and corruption. Thus, if religion remains merely a claim and a slogan and is not manifested in conduct, justice, trustworthiness, and respect for people’s rights, it cannot lead society to prosperity and happiness.
The important lessons that can be drawn from this significant historical situation are as follows:
Outward power and greatness, as well as apparent progress and civilization, are not signs of the success of a society and do not necessarily bring it happiness and prosperity.
When heavy taxes and burdensome economic laws are imposed upon people without regard to justice, they can destroy the lives of the weaker classes, create widespread dissatisfaction with the government, and ultimately contribute to the collapse and destruction of the state.
Religious devotion is not merely a matter of claims and slogans. The reality of religious commitment and the effects of faith are manifested in justice, mercy, trustworthiness, respect for human rights, and opposition to oppression, among other things.
History is not merely for entertainment or for narrating the stories of past generations; rather, history is a mirror from which lessons should be drawn for reform.
One of the factors that contributed to the worsening of social problems and disorder in the Roman state was the withdrawal of some people from establishing families and the declining inclination toward marriage. As the institution of the family weakened, many moral and social values were also damaged, creating conditions for the spread of immorality, reduced family responsibility, and weakened social bonds.
The family is the first institution in every society for raising individuals, transmitting values, and developing a sense of responsibility. Therefore, when marriage and family formation are weakened in a society, their consequences are not limited to individual lives; rather, in the long term, they can also affect the social structure and future of that society.
[1] Al-Nadwi, Abu al-Hasan Ali al-Hasani, An Examination of the Conditions of the World, translated by Abd al-Hakim Uthmani, Ihsan Publications, 2nd ed., 1388 SH, pp. 78–79.
[2] Al-Nadwi, Abu al-Hasan Ali al-Hasani, An Examination of the Conditions of the World, translated by Abd al-Hakim Uthmani, Ihsan Publications, 2nd ed., 1388 SH, pp. 79–80.
