Pessimism among Arabs before Islam and at the Time of the Mission

Abstract

AbstractForeboding is an umbrella term which includes the two contradicted meanings of both good omen and pessimism. The second meaning prevailed since it carried this indication when occurred in the Quranic text as describing the case of the polytheists and rejecters of the Prophets ( AS ) on one hand, and also for the frequent historical texts and proverbs and verses functioning the second meaning among the Arabs before Islam on the other hand.The prophetic Hadiths had mentioned foreboding as a predominant tradition and their attitudes were determined by two directions; the first one rejects and forbids superstition to the extent that it is made equal to Polytheism as the Prophet (PBUH) said " foreboding is polytheism " if it means pessimism because it is regarded a dangerous social disease leads to doctrine deviation and fosters a spirit of despair and frustration, and then inaction, and this is contrary to the Islam's call and urge to work and perseverance.The second direction blesses and urges foreboding if it means optimism , as the Prophet said " I like Optimism", they replied " what is Optimism? " ; he said " the good word ( call ) " which means that our prophet (PBUH) urged us to work and forbade