Location & Nature of Arab Tribes

                                                                                                                                                           

     Beyond a shadow of doubt,  the biography Muhammad represents a complete picture of the magnificent Divine Message that he communicated to deliver the human race from the swamp of darkness and polytheism to the paradise of light and monotheism. An authentic and comprehensive image of the Message is therefore only attainable through careful study and profound analysis of bolt the background and issues of such a biography.  In view of this,  a whole chapter is introduced here about the nature and development of Arab tribes prior to Islam as well as the circumstances and environment that surrounded the Prophet`s mission. 

     Linguistically, the word “Arab” means deserts and barren land without water and vegetation. Ever since the dawn of history, this term has been used for the Arabian Peninsula and its people.

     The Arabian   Peninsula is enclosed in the west by the  Red  Sea and Sinai, in the east by the Arabian Gulf,  in the south by the Arabian Sea,  which is an extension of the Indian Ocean,  and in the north by  Shaam  ( ancient Syria ) and parts of  Iraq.  The area is estimated between one million and one million and three hundred thousand square miles.

     Thanks to its geographical position, the Peninsula has always had great strategic importance. Considering its internal features,  it comprises mostly deserts and arid areas,  which made it inaccessible to foreigners and invaders and allowed its people complete liberty and independence through the ages, despite the presence of two neighboring great empires.           

      Its external setting,  on the other hand,  caused it to be the center of the ancient world and provided it with sea and land links with most nations at the time.  Thanks to this strategic position, the Arabian Peninsula became a center for trade, culture, religion and art.