The Persian Empire was one of the greatest political forces of the region before the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), was commissioned to convey the message of Islam. The Persian Empire, which surpassed the Byzantine Empire in fame and power, went through many stages before and after the Bi‘thah (the commissioning of prophethood). This article will discuss the corruption that was rampant before the time of Bi’thah, in the political, religious and social systems of the Persian Empire.
Historical overview
The Sassanian dynasty ruled the Iranian Empire during the seventh century CE. Persia was the center of the empire, which also encompassed the eastern parts of Turkey and Iraq. However, its western borders were not defined, owing to the empire's instability. There were times when the Sassanid Empire conquered the Levant, for example in 614 CE when it overran Syria and seized Jerusalem. Then it seized Egypt in 616 CE. However, Heraclius, the Roman emperor did not surrender, he reorganized his empire, mobilized his armies and defeated the Persians in Asia Minor in 622 CE. Afterwards he regained Syrian and Egypt in 625 CE and inflicted a resounding defeat on the Sassanid Empire in 627 CE, 6 AH, near the ruins of Nineveh, which led to the revolution of the capital Ctesiphon against Khosrau II. His successor Chosroes concluded a reconciliation truce with Heraclius.
The Persian state remained unstable, due to the many revolutions and internal coups that saw 14 emperors assume power over Persia during the following nine years. This led to disunity among the population and made the empire a stage for internal sedition, until the Arabs overran it during their conquests.
Political life
The political system was autocratic where the emperor, usually called Khosrau, enjoyed unlimited authority. Emperors were often described as gods. Indeed, Khosrau Parvez described himself as ‘the eternal man among gods,’ and ‘the very great god among men,’ which indicated his hubris and arrogance. To historians he was a spiteful, hypocritical, greedy and ill-livered king. They said that his main concern was to fill his treasuries with unjust acquisition from his wretched people. He would resort to astrologers, diviners and sorcerers and consult them about important decisions.
Economic life
The powerful among the people monopolized wealth and indulged in gratifying their worldly pleasures. They amassed their riches through usury, taxes, and heavy tolls levied on the weak peasants and the common people, who, thereby, became poorer and more miserable. It was forbidden for any commoner to practice any other craft than his father’s. The urban common people would pay tributes, like peasants did, and practiced trading and handicrafts. They lived in conditions better than those of the peasants who were not allowed to leave the land they cultivated, were forced to do unpaid work and who were drafted, against their will, to the warring armies. Tax collectors would extort extra money, in addition to the arbitrary estimation and imposition of taxes they were already subject to, especially during times of war.
Cultural and religious life
The Persians had not embraced any true religion. Only very few people were Christian or Jewish, while most followed Mazdaism.Zoroastrianism began to be the official religion of the state from the third century CE. The Zoroastrian clergymen were so morally corrupt that they were described as greedy, indulgent apostates. Khosrau II exerted effort to revive Zoroastrianism, renew the temples of fire and disseminate a new exegesis for the Avesta. At that time, anyone who abandoned Zoroastrianismwould be executed.
The doctrine of Zoroastrianism is dualistic, as Zoroastrians believe in the existence of two gods: Ahura Mazda (Ohrmazd), the god of light; and Ahra Mainyu (Ahriman), the god of darkness, who fight over the dominance of the universe. Good humans support the god of good, while evil humans support the god of darkness. Zoroastrianism also hallows fire, and fire temples were established all over the state. Zoroastrian clergy were known as Mawaabithah, each of whom presided over a group called Haraabithah, who served fire in every town.
Such invalid and ridiculous beliefs could neither inspire human souls with tranquility and inner rest, nor satisfy spiritual aspiration or grant their followers supreme morals or rules of social justice.
Social life and moralities
In Iran, social life was based on casteism - according to lineage and ownership. The nobles and the common people were strictly separate. Each person had a particular, sharply-defined rank in the community. The Sassanian policy dictated that no one should try to aspire to a social status higher than his hereditary status. Polygamy was the norm in family life. Incestuous marriage was also common. Women were similar to slaves: a husband could give his wife up to another man without the woman’s consent. There was also a widespread custom of child adoption. Society also felt widespread pessimism; moral and social corruption was prevalent soon after Mazdak, who was born in 487 CE, propagated the philosophy of Mazdakism.
On the whole, the world was suffering from extremely vile conditions, so Allah The Almighty commissioned the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), to convey the true religion - the message of Islam - which was mercy for the entire humanity. Those who choose Islam choose to be happy in this life and in the Hereafter, and those who reject Islam choose to be doomed and to be wretched in this life and in the Hereafter.
