ISLAM FOR BEGINNERS BRS 107.pdf - CUEA

LESSON 4A BRIEF HISTORY OF ISLAM1. Jahiliyya: Arabia before the rise of IslamArabia before the birth of Muhammad had been a culturally isolated and economicallyunderdeveloped region. Most of the land is desert; rainfall is scarce, vegetation scant, andvery little of the land is suitable for agriculture. In the north of the region, several Arabickingdoms (the Lakhmids and the Sassanids) were able to establish contacts with theByzantine and the Persians Empires as early as the fifth century A.D. To the south, smallArabic kingdoms, including Saba (Sheba), were ancient centers of Arabic civilization. Butin the interior, dotted only with occasional oases, the nomadic life was the only successfulexistence.1.1 Political, economical and cultural ContextPolitically, the great Empires –Byzantine and Persian- directly or indirectly controlled thewhole world, including the Arab tribes though they were isolated. These Empires wereengaged in permanent wars of supremacy, which affected their colonies, the Lakhmidsand the Sassanids. Since wars could not allow the circulation of traders who desired tomove straight from West to East in search of new products, they had to find other ways.Thus the Byzantines were forced to come down to the South, passing through Makka andthen move up to the North as far as India.The discovery of Makka and its surroundings by the Westerners began. This situationmodified both economic and religious life of Arabia, particularly Makka. Because of wars,sea-trade routes became inaccessible. Arabian land route became important. Caravanindustry was developed. Their contacts with foreign people changed their cultures andbeliefs.There was also a creation of a settled and urban culture. The fact that wealth wasconcentrated into the hands of a few generated an alarming situation of poverty andinjustice in the City. We believe that this state of affairs called for a change that camethrough Muhammad’s preaching.Frederic N. Mvumbi,OP Page 12 of 85