Pre-islamic Arabia

Pre-Islamic Arabia Flashcards

Jahiliyyah

Referring to any society in which there is religious,social and moral chaos.

Turner Location quote

“Those who lived here eked out their existence under the harshest physical conditions, which made survival something of an achievement”

The leaders of tribes in sixth century arabia

Sheikhs

What underpinned the basic bedouin social system?

Honour,generosity, hospitality all for the goal of social justice

Esposito on tribal warfare

“Intertribal warfare was a long established activity governed by clear guidelines and rules”

How many gods were recognised in pre-islamic arabia?

360 god’s, housed in the Ka’ba. Centralization reinforced its popularity

Waines on the reliance of God in jahiliyyah

“Gods were consulted on various matters of domestic and other concerns” e.g parentage of a child

What were hanifs?

Hanifs were very strict people of moral purity and strictly monotheistic.