Before the coming of Islam, the people of the Arabian Peninsula lived in a period the Arabs later called the Age of Ignorance (Jahiliah). This does not mean they lacked all skills, but that they had strayed from the worship of one God and followed harmful customs.
Geography and Way of Life
The Arabian Peninsula is a large, dry land of deserts. Because water and green land were scarce, many Arabs were nomads (Badawi) who moved from place to place herding camels, sheep and goats. Others lived settled lives in towns such as Mecca and Yathrib (later called Medina), where trade and farming were possible.
Mecca was an important trade centre. Caravans passed through it carrying goods between Yemen in the south and Syria in the north. The Kaabah in Mecca was also a place many tribes visited.
Society and Beliefs
Arab society was built on tribes, and loyalty to one's tribe was very strong. This led to long feuds and wars between tribes. Among the harmful customs of the Jahiliah age were:
- Worshipping many idols instead of one God.
- Burying baby girls alive because daughters were seen as a burden.
- Gambling, drinking and unfair treatment of slaves and the poor.
- Frequent tribal warfare over honour, water and grazing land.
Remember
- Jahiliah means the Age of Ignorance before Islam.
- Most Arabs were nomads (Badawi); Mecca was a key trade centre.
- Society was tribal, and idol worship was common.