The Origins of IslamThe Arabian Setting

Geography of the Arabian PeninsulaTigris River Euphrates River

Geography cont.❖ Arabians were able to avoid foreign conquest for most of its

history because of the harsh environment.

❖ Most of Arabia was desert.

❖ This made survival difficult.

Arabian Deserts❖ North: Nafud Desert

❖ South: Rub al-Khali (aka “Empty Quarter”)

Nafud

Rub al-Khali

Rub al-Khali

Deserts❖ used camels for transportation

❖ aka “ship of the desert”

❖ Why such a good choice? cab shut nostrils, flick sand from eyes with third eyelid, leathery pads on feet, remarkable digestive system, can go without water for days

What were deserts like?❖ Temperatures

❖ summer: 120+ degrees❖ winter: below zero

❖ Wind and Rain❖ winds shape sand dunes up to 500 feet tall❖ 10 inches or less of rainfall

❖ some shrubs, tough grass for grazing animals (camels, sheep, goats, jackrabbits)

❖ Clothing❖ Men: loose fitting, ankle-length gown, buttons at neck❖ Women: long sleeve gowns that reach feet

❖ Living❖ tents made of goat hair

Water❖ Arabia had no permanent rivers, which meant very little

water ran through the peninsula

❖ Arabians depended on oases.

❖ Oasis: a fertile place in the desert where a spring or well provides a water supply

What was an oasis like?❖ summer days so hot rainwater evaporates or sinks into deep

underground river channels

❖ oasis settlements depended on wells and springs to tap this underground water supply

❖ vegetation: date palms, orchard crops, ground crops

❖ became habitat for animals

❖ critical for trade routes, caravans had to replenish water and food supplies

A Tribal Culture❖ Two distinct ways of life existed in Arabia

❖ Nomadic

❖ Sedentary

Nomadic❖ people who move from place to place, with no fixed home

❖ aka bedouins

❖ lived in rural areas

❖ herded sheep and goats

❖ crossed desert on camels, stopped at oases

❖ fiercely independent and skilled in warfare

❖ raided other tribes to obtain animals and goods

Bedouin Tent

Sedentary❖ meaning settled❖ lived as farmers and traders

❖ tended field around oases❖ traders lived in towns along trade routes❖ traded: camel milk and meat, spices, perfumes, precious

metals, ivory, and silk❖ Mecca was largest town

❖ trade and wealth brought new settlers, including Christians and Jews

Political Organization❖ both nomadic and sedentary peoples of Arabia organized

themselves into tribes

❖ loyalty was to the tribe and family above rulers

So where did Arabians choose to live?

Coastal Plains❖ flat, low-lying land❖ separates plateau of land from sea❖ Arabian Peninsula coastal plain = more humid than interior

❖ humidity allowed for cultivation of crops: coffee, grains, fruits

❖ most of trade cities and ports located here - connected Arabs to Asia and Africa

Mountains❖ stretched along coast about 50 miles from sea

❖ moisture caught in mountains = frequent downpours and flash floods during rainy season

❖ survival difficult for all but wild goats❖ used terrace farming in mountains

❖ 20-30 inches annual rainfall❖ raised banks to catch rainwater for irrigation❖ crops = dates, oranges❖ people lived in isolation, not easy to travel❖ homes built with mud bricks