What were the characteristics of the people of Jahiliyyah?

The characteristics of the people of Jahiliyyah (pre-Islamic ignorance) were numerous and varied, including: polytheism (shirk) with Allah, theft, adultery, female infanticide, wailing, ostentatious display (tabarruj), oppression, and the subjugation of the weak by the strong. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, used to take pledges of allegiance to abandon these characteristics.

Additionally, some of the people of Jahiliyyah possessed good qualities such as generosity, fulfilling covenants, and protecting neighbors. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, affirmed these by saying: "I was only sent to perfect noble character."