Author: Dr. Noor Mohammad Mohibi
The Quran: A Miracle Beyond Time—A Study of Its Miraculous Nature (part 120)
An Extraordinary Book in Impossible Circumstances
Before moving to the conclusion and closing remarks, it is necessary to reflect upon a remarkable and thought-provoking reality—one that compels every fair-minded researcher to ponder deeply. The Holy Qur’an is a book that, despite its concise style, contains the most comprehensive collection of religious, moral, legal, and social teachings. It is not only a guide for the personal lives of human beings, but it also presents the principles and foundations of social life, human education, social justice, and even the bases of political and economic systems. For this reason, scholars have regarded the Holy Qur’an as a complete guide for humanity, addressing both the beginnings of human life and its ultimate goals and purposes.
At this point, an important question arises: How and under what circumstances was such a profound and magnificent book revealed? Was the environment in which the Holy Qur’an was revealed scientifically and culturally advanced enough to produce such a monumental work? Or were the social, cultural, and historical conditions of that era such that the emergence of such a book appears entirely unexpected and astonishing?
To arrive at an accurate and scholarly answer to these questions, three essential elements must be examined: first, the geographical and social conditions of Arabia during the time of the Qur’anic revelation; second, the cultural and literary condition of Arab society at that time; and third, the personality of the individual upon whom this divine book was revealed—the Prophet of Islam, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
The Geographical and Social Conditions of Arabia During the Revelation of the Holy Qur’an
The Arabian Peninsula in the sixth century CE—especially the region of Hijaz and the holy city of Mecca—was geographically considered one of the driest and harshest regions in the world. Most of the land consisted of scorching deserts, barren mountains, and water-scarce plains. The city of Mecca, where the Holy Qur’an was revealed and where Islam emerged, was situated among rocky mountain ranges and, due to its limited natural resources, had very restricted agricultural and economic productivity.
There were neither great rivers nor vast fertile lands in this region. The climate was generally hot and dry, and life in such an environment involved many hardships. For this reason, the people of the region mostly adopted tribal and nomadic lifestyles, and their livelihoods largely depended on animal husbandry, especially the raising of camels and sheep. Only in some limited areas did trade exist as a source of income.
From a cultural perspective as well, Arabia during that era was relatively isolated. Although trade caravans occasionally traveled between Mecca, Syria, and Yemen, these journeys were primarily economic in nature, and the transfer of knowledge and culture through them was very limited. Consequently, compared with the great civilizations of the time—such as the Sassanian Persian Empire, the Byzantine Empire, Egypt, and India—Arabia remained far behind in scientific and cultural development.
Moreover, at that time there was no organized educational system in Arabia. There were no schools in the common sense of the term, no scientific or research institutions, and no universities where various sciences were taught. Education among the Arabs was mostly informal and limited to families or tribes, and overall literacy levels among the people were extremely low.
The Cultural and Literary Condition of Arab Society
Despite the absence of scientific and research centers, Arab society possessed remarkable talent in one particular field: language, eloquence, and poetry. The Arabs naturally had a strong aptitude for eloquence and rhetoric, and the Arabic language among them had reached a peak of beauty and expressive power. Gatherings of poetry and oratory were widespread among Arab tribes, and poets held an important position within society.
In the famous Arab marketplaces, such as the market of Ukaz, poetry competitions were held, and distinguished poets would recite their poems before the public. Sometimes the selected poems were beautifully written and hung upon the walls of the Ka‘bah, later becoming known as the “Mu’allaqāt.” This demonstrates the extraordinary importance of language and literature in Arab culture at that time.
Interestingly, not only men but also Arab women were skilled in composing poetry, and some of their poems were admired for their beauty and eloquence. This literary ability was largely the result of natural talent and their linguistic environment rather than advanced formal education.
Nevertheless, these natural talents could never replace broad education and learning. Arab society at that time had little familiarity with philosophy, natural sciences, mathematics, or advanced legal systems. Even literacy itself was very limited among them, and only a small number of individuals were capable of reading and writing.
To be continued…
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