SImilarities Between Pre-Islamic Arab Culture and Islam: Perceptions / Conversions and Arab Imperialism.

Islam came on the scene in 7th-century Arabia, suspiciously deeply inspired by the sociocultural pattern of the area we now refer to as the Middle East. Despite its revolutionary monotheistic [ 1 God ] message, it seems it absorbed and retained many aspects of pre-Islamic Arab culture on closer inspection, allowing it to resonate with its earliest followers. 

However, as Islam became more popular beyond the Arabian Peninsula or today's Middle East, non-Arab communities often  saw it as a tool of Arab imperialism, very similar to the way Christianity was wielded during European colonialism by christian European mission- aries [Aries/ Ares was the ancient Greek god of war or  the spirit of battle] .  

This perception is not without reason, as the historical experience of forced conversions and cultural domination led many to view Islam with suspicion. 

So what are the similarities between Islamic culture and pre-Islamic Arab culture and why did many non-Arabs  see Islam as a means of Arab cultural expansion, with linguistic, historical, and cultural references highlighting this phenomenon even today ?

Similarities Between Islamic Culture and Pre-Islamic Arab Culture

1. Language/ Linguistic Expression

Pre-Islamic Arab Culture: The Arabic language was central to Arab identity even before Islam. It was the vehicle of oral poetry, which served as a storage mechanism for history, values, and tribal achievements. Pre-Islamic poetry, known for its eloquence and expressive power, celebrated themes of bravery, honour, and hospitality.

Islamic Culture: The Quran, Islam's holy book, is in classical Arabic, emphasising the language’s continued significance. The poetic nature of the Quran, with its rhymed prose and linguistic mastery, mirrored pre-Islamic poetic traditions, ensuring that it resonated deeply with the Arab audience. The importance of Arabic as the sacred language of Islam guaranteed forever that Arab culture remained influential globally.

2. Tribal Values and Social Structure

Pre-Islamic Arab Culture: Tribal loyalty (asabiyyah) was the backbone of Arabian society, with kinship ties determining one’s identity, protection, and social status. Hospitality, honour, and bravery were key values upheld within this structure.

Islamic Culture: Although Islam tried to establish a universal community (Ummah) that transcended tribal divisions, it still retained aspects of tribal organisation. Early Islamic society, especially under the Rashidun Caliphate (632–661 CE), operated within the tribal framework, with many leaders coming from prominent tribes. The concept of Jihad, emphasising courage and loyalty, can be seen as a continuation of pre-Islamic valour/ bravery, now redesigned toward defending the Islamic faith.

3. Pilgrimage and the Kaaba

Pre-Islamic Arab Culture: The Kaaba in Mecca was a sacred site long before Islam, serving as a pilgrimage centre for various tribes who visited to honour their idols and conduct trade. This annual pilgrimage was a significant social and economic event.

Islamic Culture: Islam preserved the pilgrimage (Hajj) but transformed it into a monotheistic ritual dedicated to Allah. By maintaining the Kaaba as the focal point, Islam ensured continuity with pre-Islamic practices, making it easier for Arab converts to adopt the new faith without abandoning their traditions.

4. Legal and Social Practices

Pre-Islamic Arab Culture: The customary laws (known as "urf") guided social behaviour, including marriage, trade, and conflict resolution. Practices like polygamy, blood money (diya), and arbitration by tribal elders were standard.

Islamic Culture: Islamic law (Sharia) integrated many elements of these customary laws, formalising and modifying them. For example, Islam retained polygamy but restricted the number of wives to four, provided they are treated equitably. Blood money remained a part of Islamic legal practice, demonstrating how Islam adapted and integrated pre-Islamic norms.

Perceptions of Islam as Arab Imperialism

As Islam spread beyond the Middle East however erroneous the term might be geographically, it encountered other cultures, many of which saw it as a form of Arab cultural imperialism. This perception came from the cultural and linguistic dominance imposed by the spread of Islam, which often led to the marginalisation of local traditions.

1. Forced Conversions and Resistance

The Yoruba in West Africa: Historical records indicate that the Yoruba people referred to Islam as "Esin Imale," which translates to "the religion of the Malians or Knowledge by force," suggesting foreign invasion / dominance. Many Yoruba associate Islam with the military conquests of the Mali and Songhai Empires, viewing it as an imposed faith rather than one freely chosen【Doi, A. R. I. (1984). "Islam in Nigeria." Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London】.

India's Experience with Islam: In India, Islamic expansion is often associated with forced conversions and invasions by the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire. The term "Islam ka ghulam" ("slave of Islam") reflects the image of being subjugated to an Arab or foreign faith, illustrating the view of Islam as an agent of imperialism【Eaton, Richard M. (2000). "The Rise of Islam and the Bengal Frontier, 1204–1760." University of California Press】.

The Berbers of North Africa: Although many Berbers embraced Islam, they often saw it as a tool of Arab domination. The term "Ajami," meaning non-Arab, was used to differentiate themselves from Arab Muslims, highlighting their resistance to losing their indigenous identity【Abun-Nasr, Jamil M. (1987). "A History of the Maghrib in the Islamic Period." Cambridge University Press】.

2. Cultural Domination and Arabization

Islamic expansion often resulted in the Arabization of non-Arab cultures, where adopting Arabic language and customs was seen as part of embracing Islam. This is exactly how Christianity spread with European languages and culture during colonial times. The introduction of Arabic as the language of worship and the adoption of Arab names and customs contributed to the belief that Islam was synonymous with Arab identity.

3. Indigenous Spirituality and the Struggle for Identity

Many indigenous groups, such as the Yoruba or Berbers, struggled to maintain their ethnic spiritual beliefs in the face of Islamic expansion. These communities often hid their practices or blended them with Islamic elements to survive. For example, the Hausa term "Maguzawa" refers to those who adhered to traditional beliefs despite pressure to convert, showcasing the resistance to adopting Islam as part of an Arab cultural package【Last, M. (1967). "The Sokoto Caliphate." Longmans】.

Islam shares very deep similarities with pre-Islamic Arab culture, from linguistic continuity to social norms, proving its roots in Arabian society and as it spread, it often encountered resistance and was seen as an agent of Arab imperialism, particularly when conversion was accompanied by military conquest or cultural dominance. The experience of forced conversions, linguistic shifts, and cultural assimilation led many non-Arabs to see Islam as an extension of Arab influence, much like how Christianity served European imperial ambitions, reinforcing the idea that religions are often tools of cultural and political expansion. 

The reality ? Islam's spread was complex, involving a mix of genuine spiritual appeal, cultural adaptation, and, at times, coercive practices and yes non-Arab societies still view Islam with a sense of scepticism and resistance even today.