Period of Idolatry

Over the centuries, the pure monotheism of Ibrahim was gradually diluted and debased and the Hajj rites as transmitted by Allah to Ibrahim became adulterated with pagan rites.

In this way, the purity of worship for God which Ibrahim had performed and passed to his first-born son was eroded over the centuries until, by the time of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), there was nothing much left and the darkness of paganism and idolatry lay across the land. Matters could not be set right until the prayer was answered:

"Our Lord! Send amongst them
A Messenger of their own,
Who shall rehearse Thy Signs
To them and instruct them
In Scripture and Wisdom.
And sanctify them:
For Thou art the Exalted in Might,
The Wise.

S. 2:129