Pre Islam Arabia

When did Islam begin

Islam began in the Arabian Peninsula about 1400 years ago.

what was the Arabian peninsula like before Islam

Before Islam, the Arabian Peninsula was inhabited by nomadic tribes that travelled in search of water and pasture. There were also towns and cities which were important centres of trade and commerce (Mecca and Yathrib)

what were clans

clans were several family groups which formed the basic social structure. A group of clans would form a tribe, led by an elected chief

why was tribal warfare common

Need for revenge meant tribal warfare was common, as the only source of protection were tribal members

Gender in the arabian peninsula

Arabia was a strongly male oriented society. The treatment of women varied from tribe to tribe. Some a women could become a successful businesswoman if they were a widow (Khadij, Muhammed’s first wife is an example of this)

Wealth in the arabian peninsula

Large disparity between wealthy and poor, little equality.

What were the religions in the Arabian Peninsula

Before Islam, the Arabian Peninsula was home to a wide range of religious tradition, including Judaism, Christianity, Zoroastrianism (God of light, God of Dark)

how did the people adhere to religions

they were mostly polytheist with local gods and goddesses serving as protectors of individual tribes

Mecca in Pre Islam

There was a central shine of the gods and goddesses. It was known as the Ka’ba and it housed idols of 360 gods and goddesses.

What do Muslims call the time before Islam

This time before Allah is considered by Muslims as ‘The Age of Ignorance’ (Jahiliyyah)

What were Makkah

Makkah were merchants, caravan traders in Syria, Iran, Iraq, Bahrain. Trading in spice, metal

What were Yathrib

they were part of farming and agriculture, Jewish industry

what are the Bedouin (tribes)

nomadic tribes as well as settled communities in the Arabian Peninsula before Islam

what is the Ka'ba

is Mecca's most sacred religious site. It is believed by Muslims to have been built much earlier by the prophet Abraham and his son Ishmael (centuries before Muhammad) and renovated from time to time

what is Usury

money lending (100% interest rate) that suppressed freedom