Jahiliyyah

Jahiliyyah, from the Arabic jahiliyyah meaning “ignorance,” is a term in Islamic discourse used to designate the period and condition of society before the revelation of the Prophet Muhammad and the establishment of Islam. The term literally means “ignorance” and is contrasted with “Islam,” which signifies submission to God and guidance.

Historically, Jahiliyyah is associated most often with pre-Islamic Arabia, characterized by polytheism, tribal loyalties, blood feud, and social practices such as female infanticide, though these features varied by tribe and region. In early Islamic sources, the era is portrayed as lacking the ethical and spiritual guidance provided by revelation, and the Prophet’s mission is described as a correction and reform of those conditions.

Scholarly usage varies. In classic Muslim scholarship, Jahiliyyah denotes the era and its moral and religious ignorance. In some modern contexts, the term is extended by commentators to describe societies or cultural norms they deem to be outside or in opposition to Islamic values, though this broader usage is contested and debated among scholars and Muslims.

The concept has played a central role in Islamic historiography and theology, stressing the contrast between pre-Islamic and Islamic modes of life, and serving as a reminder of the transformative power of revelation and guidance. It remains a topic of study in Arab and Islamic history, religious studies, and modern debates about tradition and modernity.