Prophet Muhammad ﷺ Transforms the Arab Tribes into a Nation
Evelyn Copeland says: “Before Muhammad ﷺ, the Arabs were a nation with no significance, their tribes and communities held little importance. When Muhammad came, he raised this nation anew, almost miraculously, dominating the world and governing it for long periods. The Prophet performed miracles because he led this steadfast Arab nation to abandon idols and accept the Oneness of God… He succeeded in creating a new character for the Arabs, guiding them from darkness to light” (1).
Life among Arabs before Islam was governed by tribal systems, with no unifying bond between tribes, only continuous wars and conflicts. The Prophet ﷺ transformed these fragmented units into a single nation based on faith in God, united under Islam.
German thinker Rudi Bart emphasizes: “For centuries, Arabs lived in the deserts and oases of the Arabian Peninsula, spreading corruption, until Muhammad brought them together into a unified, cohesive entity” (2).
The Virtue of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ for the Arabs
The Prophet ﷺ united the Arabian Peninsula for the first time in history, bringing Arabs from the darkness of ignorance into the light of knowledge and guidance.
Russian researcher Arlonov states: “Muhammad ﷺ abolished his people’s pagan customs, united the Arab tribes, enlightened their minds and eyes with the knowledge of the One God, refined their morals, prevented bloodshed and the burying of daughters… These actions indicate he was a great reformer, with enlightened thought and penetrating insight” (3).
Irish orientalist Herbert Wail in his book The Great Teacher says: “Six hundred years after the appearance of Christ, Muhammad ﷺ emerged, removed illusions, prohibited idol worship… He guided the misguided to the straight path” (4).
One of the Greatest Sins is Denying the Role of the Prophet ﷺ
M. J. Durrani says: “I am convinced that one of the greatest sins is to deny that divine man who established God’s kingdom among warring peoples without law, idol worshipers, committing vile deeds, transformed their thinking, changed their customs and ethics, gathered them under one banner, one law, and one religion… A nation that had not produced a single great man for centuries now produced thousands of noble souls under his influence” (5).
Lady Evelyn Copeland adds: “Muhammad ﷺ performed miracles by leading the Arabs to abandon idols and accept the Oneness of God… Yet he remained humble, cleaning his house, repairing his sandals, and working for God and humanity” (6).
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as the Founder of the Arab National Community
Researcher Qustaki Humsī states: “If the leader of Quraysh is the Prophet of Muslims and founder of their religion, he is also the Prophet of the Arabs, and founder of their national community… He unified the Arabic dialects, abolished tribal rivalries, and was the greatest savior of Arabs from the chaos of ignorance, laying the cornerstone of their renaissance” (7).
Historian Arnold Toynbee confirms: “The Prophet Muhammad dedicated his life to ensuring monotheism in religious thought, law and order in governance. This was achieved through Islam, which transformed Arabs from a nation of ignorance to a civilized nation, then spread Islam beyond the peninsula to illuminate the world” (8).
The Noble Hadith as Evidence of the Great Transformation
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“O Ansar! Did I not find you lost, and Allah guided you through me? Were you not scattered, and Allah united you through me? Were you in need, and Allah enriched you through me?”
They said: Allah and His Messenger are trustworthy (9).
How Did the Prophet ﷺ Transform the Arabs?
Arabs were like raw materials, wasted by ignorance. The Prophet ﷺ revived them with faith, unearthed their hidden potentials, and placed each person in their proper role, producing men who changed the course of history.
For example, Umar ibn al-Khattab, who was a camel shepherd, became after Islam a founder of a great state that defeated Khosrow and Caesar, establishing justice, piety, and virtue.
The Greatest Virtue of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ for the Entire World
Mr. Senks says: “Muhammad’s greatest virtue is not only in uplifting the Arabs, but elevating the whole world even today… He freed the human mind from the heavy chains of the soothsayers and restored pure monotheistic thought towards God” (10).
Thus, Arabs and non-Arabs alike were elevated from the darkness of ignorance to the light of civilization, thanks to the message of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, whom Allah made a mercy to all worlds.