Islamic Civilization: Origins, Culture, and Norms in Pre-Islamic Arabia

This essay provides an overview of the origins, culture, and norms of Islamic Civilization in Pre-Islamic Arabia. It explores the lifestyle, beliefs, and values of the people in this era and the impact of Islam on the society. The essay also discusses the transition of culture and norms.

Running head: ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION 1
Islamic Civilization

ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION 2
Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................3
Question.................................................................................................................................3
Thesis statement.....................................................................................................................3
Background of events.................................................................................................................3
Analysis......................................................................................................................................4
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................7
Reference List............................................................................................................................8

ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION 3
Introduction
The main aim of the essay is to present an overview of the scenario with regard to the region
of Arabia prior to the advent of the religion of Islam. It is intended to focus on the aspect with
regard to the origins of Islam. The culture, lifestyle, norms and values would also be taken
into account. The aspect of the group of Bedouin would also be delved into and analyzed
accordingly as far as their social outlook and kinship is concerned1. The aspect related to
Islamic Civilization would be dealt with in the essay thereby presenting an in-depth analysis.
It would also present the beliefs with regard to the social life of people in Pre-Islamic Arabia.
Question
What were the ways in which lifestyle was governed in the Pre-Islamic Arabia taking account
of the traditional beliefs and values?
Thesis statement
Islamic civilization has played an extremely vital role with regard to the shaping up of
lifestyles of people to a huge extent in an organized manner with reference to the following of
a set of norms and values on a regular basis as far as the transition and development of Pre-
Islamic Arabia is concerned.
Background of events
Various events occurred during the period of 600 -1400 with reference to the Pre-Islamic era.
These events are mainly related to various kinds of civilizations. The period was known as
Jahillya by Islamic scholars as it was infested by ignorance. It also involved various conflicts
and battles amongst kingdoms and tribesmen primarily for the purpose of acquisition and
ownership of lands. The events related to Pre-Islamic Arabia also mark the migration of the
Arabs to the areas mainly comprising of Egypt and North Africa. The main reason for such
kind of exodus implied the scarcity of food and fertile land in the Arabian Peninsula2. There
were also various invasions as a result of the armed conflicts and battles in Pre-Islamic
Arabia. The period of 600 -1400 marked the early stage of Islam with regard to the spreading
of the awareness related to the teachings of Prophet Mohammed, the founder of the religion
of Islam. However, various kinds of sects of Islam also evolve thereby implying their own
values, tradition and culture along with different kinds of lifestyles. The events pertaining to
Pre-Islamic Arabia also involve the aspects which led to the advent of Islam and subsequently
spreading at a huge level thereby addressing the issues prevalent in the Pre-Islamic Arabia in
terms of the reformation of culture and norms most notably in the aspect of religion. As a
result, the events played an important role in the foundation of Islam at a huge level.
1 F.M. Denny, Pre-Islamic Arabia: Beliefs, Values, Way of Life. An Introduction to Islam (4th ed. (New
York: Routledge, 2011), 38. Retrieved from https://ebookcentral.proquest.com
2 Abdel Salam Sidahmed,. Islamic fundamentalism. (6th ed. Abingdon: Routledge, 2018), 100

ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION 4
Analysis
Pre-Islamic Arabia primarily consisted of people known as Semites. The Pre Islamic era
involved Jahili Poetry3. The first recorded poet in terms of such poetry is Imru-al Qais. He
was one of the major poets during sixth century AD. Jahili Poetry played an important riole
in the development of Arabic language in the Pre-Islamic Arabia. After his death, he was
hailed by Prophet Muhammad along with critics of Arabic literature as the most unique poet
of Pre-Islamic Arabia. Besides, Imru-al Qais, the other notable poets of Pre-Islamic era
include Tarafa, Al-Khansa, Labid, Al-A’sha, and Al-Nabigha. During the eighth century, the
best of these poems were collected into Mu’allaqat on the basis of their connection towards
the Kaaba. It is imperative that the Mu’allaqat acts as a reliable source for Jahili Poetry. As a
result, it is observed that the traditions of the literature of Pre-Islamic Arabia can be inferred
from Jahili Poetry4. The aspects related to culture and lifestyle can also be observed by the
virtue of Jahili Poetry with reference to Pre-Islamic Arabia. It subsequently implies the
functionalities of societies pertaining to Pre-Islamic Arabia. Jahili Poetry has been one of the
most notable events of Pre-Islamic Arabia5. There also exists a massive cap between the
composing of the poems and the execution and application of the poems through actual
writing taking account of Pre-Islamic Arabia as far as Jahili Poetry is concerned. Classical
scholars of Arabic background have categorized Jahili Poetry as qasida and qit’a. The
wordings of the poetry were taken into account rather than the summarization of the poem as
a whole in order to convey the message intended. As a result, the poems had short ideas.
Some of the poems also implied the aspects of wars and conflicts.
The Bedouins are a group of nomadic people prevalent in the desert areas of Arabia and
North Africa. There are various tribes of Bedouins as far as their organization at a social level
is concerned. Their primary activities include the rearing of camels and goats for various
3 M. McDonald, Orally Transmitted Poetry in Pre-Islamic Arabia and Other Pre-Literate Societies.
Journal of Arabic Literature, 9 (1978): 20. Retrieved from
http://www.jstor.org.ezproxy.library.yorku.ca/stable/4182992
4 J. Brown, The Social Context of Pre-Islamic Poetry: Poetic Imagery and Social Reality in the Mu C
Allaqat. Arab Studies Quarterly, 25, no. 3 (2003): 40. Retrieved from
http://www.jstor.org.ezproxy.library.yorku.ca/stable/41858448
5 Monroe, J. T. Oral composition in pre-Islamic poetry. In Early Islamic Poetry and Poetics. 4th ed.
(Abingdon:Routledge, 2017), 50.

ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION 5
purposes and activities. They are perceived to be nomadic tribesmen whose origin dates back
to the events pertaining to Pre-Islamic Arabia. They are both pastoral and non-pastoral in
nature. The non-pastoral nomads mainly comprise of the Solubbas who are prevalent from
the ancient times and have a lifestyle which is in resemblance with the pre-historic times.
Their activities mainly comprised of woodwork and hunting of animals. During the pre-
Islamic era, they were mainly concentrated around the Arabian Peninsula. The pastoral
Bedouins were the ones who engaged in activities related to grazing of animals for various
purposes, most notably food sources. The Bedouins had their own culture and lifestyle with
regard to art and music. Kinship amongst Bedouins was based on the system of patriarchy
and is still continuing. As a result of the advent of Islam, the Bedouins have drifted their
religious allegiance towards Islam with regard to the territorial aspect. The Bedouins have
their own cultural practices in the form of traditions such as music, art and literature.
However, the Solubbas were totally different kinds of Bedouins6. They used to depend on
animal skin for clothing and shelter and also carrying of water. Besides animals, the Solubbas
also used to kill flightless birds such as ostrich for the purpose of executing their passion with
regard to hunting activities7. They had also their own distinctive style of music and poetry
with regard to culture and tradition. As a result, it is imperative that the Solubbas were one of
the most dangerous and barbarous groups of tribesmen in Pre-Islamic Arabia thereby being
classified and categorized as one of the most uncivilized groups of people. Their primary
occupations and activities pertained to carpentry and mental work. The other groups of
Bedouins inducted them as guardsmen to protect their areas and localities from enemy attacks
but treated them as inferior and despised them accordingly. The Solubbas were also utilized
by the Bedouins for the purpose of activities related to the carrying of goods on their back
from one place to another. The Solubbas were also engaged in activities to help those
Bedouins who fell ill as far as caring is concerned. They were also engaged in activities
related to the rescuing of travelers.
The society of Pre-Islamic Arabia primarily focused on the indigenous beliefs pertaining to
polytheism, Judaism, Zoroastrianism and Arabic Christianity in its ancient form. Civilizations
such as Thamund and Dilmun were prevalent in Pre-Islamic Arabia to a huge extent.
Additionally, various kingdoms existed in Pre-Islamic Arabia thereby depicting art and
culture in form of music, literature and poetry in various forms. The civilization pertaining to
6 A. Betts, The Solubba: Nonpastoral Nomads in Arabia. Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental
Research, 274, no. 1 (1989): 65. doi:10.2307/1357053
7 M. Maraqten, Hunting in pre‐Islamic Arabia in light of the epigraphic evidence. Arabian archaeology
and epigraphy, 26, no. 2 (2015): 215.

ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION 6
Egypt was also a notable event of the Pre-Islamic Arabia which shaped up Islam in its
modern and current form. The dominant religion of Pre-Islamic Arabia was comprised of
polytheistic beliefs pertaining to various spirits and deities. It implied the worshipping of
various gods and goddesses. During the sixth century, the redevelopments in the form of
politics and religion started to develop. As a result, it led to the advent of Islam thereby
addressing the issues relating to the worshipping of deities in the form of idols. It also
resulted in the destruction of idols at the Kaaba which is considered to be the holiest place for
Muslims all over the world taking account of the current trends. The Bedouins practiced the
religion concerning animism which implies the spirituality contained in various plants and
animals. Prophet Muhammad vehemently condemned polytheism to a huge level thereby
implying that there is only one God8. He further stated that idols are merely objects and do
not represent God in any form. As a result, he posed a threat for the local tribesmen.
However, when Islam was spread a t a huge level, the issues related to polytheism and the
worshipping of idols were addressed and resolved accordingly as more and more people
followed his teachings thereby leading a more organized lifestyle9. It also led to the
development of the society as a whole to a huge level thereby resulting in the transition in
terms of culture and norms along with values.
Women had no rights in Pre-Islamic Arabia and were governed by patriarchy with regard to
the tribal law in the Pre-Islamic Arabia. The events pertaining to the advent of Islam led to
the upliftment of women to a certain extent. Women had no control with regard to marriage
and were left with little or no scope to part ways with husbands in Pre-Islamic Arabia. They
had to leave there maternal home to stay with their husbands. They had also no property
rights as far as inheritance is concerned10. In most of the families, male child was preferred.
Women were confined to mainly household work in Pre-Islamic Arabia. However, in the
upper class society, women did enjoy certain rights, most notably pertaining to the
inheritance of the family property with regard to ownership and possession. As a result, it is
imperative that gender equality was almost non-existent in Pre-Islamic Arabia as women
were not treated on par with men. Rather, they were considered to be the inferior sex. Their
main task with regard to family was to bear children. The husbands had the discretion of
8 Gerald Hawting, The Development of Islamic Ritual. 8th ed. (Abingdon: Routledge, 2017), 140.
9 E. Wolf, The Social Organization of Mecca and the Origins of Islam. Southwestern Journal of
Anthropology, 7, no. 4 (1951): 350. Retrieved from
http://www.jstor.org.ezproxy.library.yorku.ca/stable/3628510
10 F. E. Peters, The Arabs and Arabia on the eve of Islam. 3rd ed. (Abingdon: Routledge, 2017), 100.

ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION 7
annulling the marriage without the consent of their wives. Such kinds of aspects were mainly
prevalent amongst the Bedouins. In terms of marriage, they had to adhere to the contract.
During the times of armed conflict, women were captivated by the rival tribesmen and
displayed in the slave market of Mecca. As a result, they were sold from the slave market
either as wives or as slaves. The concept of Mahr is prevalent in Islam to a huge level. It
implies the dower paid by the groom’s family to the bride for the purpose of marriage. Such
an aspect was also prevalent in Pre-Islamic Arabia. As a result, it is imperative that women
were curtailed from presenting their viewpoints in terms of marriage in the Pre-Islamic
Arabia.
Music in Pre-Islamic Arabia was loosely based on the ancient forms of music prevalent in the
region of Middle East. As the period was popularly known as Jahillya as mentioned above,
high notes were used in terms of music as far as recital of poems by the poets is concerned.
The musical instruments served only the musician. The tradition and culture of various
groups implied different kinds of music. The main aspect of the music in Pre-Islamic Arabia
was mainly vocal without any major instruments. Various kinds of music evolved in the Pre-
Islamic Arabia11. The poetic aspect was taken into account with regard to music12. The advent
of Islam resulted in the improvisations with regard to composition of music thereby implying
a drastic shift with regard to music. As a result, music started to be composed in a more
systematic and organized manner13. In Pre-Islamic Arabia, music and poetry defined way of
leading life at a massive level as far as various kinds of norms and values are concerned.
Additionally, music and poetry played a vital role in the defining of the society with regard to
the following of various kinds of lifestyles amongst clans and tribes. Melody was emphasized
in music as a result of the advent of Islam. It is imperative that music displayed the culture
and identity of the respective group to a huge extent thereby the customs and values of the
group in question being inferred upon in a more feasible manner. Music had also played a
vital role in the defining of the aspect of the society to a huge level with respect to traditions.
11 R. Harris, Situating the Twelve Muqam: Between the Arab World and the Tang Court. In Situating the
Uyghurs Between China and Central Asia . 6th ed. (Abingdon: Routledge, 2016), 100.
12 Bo Utas, Women in Islamic societies. 6th ed. (Abingdon: Routledge, 2016), 110.
13 I. Khan, NIKAH IN THE PRE-ISLAMIC ERA: A CRITICLE REVIEW IN LIGHT OF
SHARIA'H. The Scholar-Islamic Academic Research Journal, 3, no. 1 (2017): 50.

ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION 8
Conclusion
As observed form the aforesaid discourse, it can be concluded by stating that the aspect
related to Pre-Islamic Arabia has been justified and appropriate. The background of the
events with regard to the shaping of the religion of Islam and its early stages has also been
presented. The analysis has been accordingly carried out pertaining to the lifestyle and culture
of people in Pre-Islamic Arabia. The religious aspect related to Judaism, Christianity and
various kinds of polytheism have also been highlighted in the aforesaid discourse along with
Prophet Muhammad propagating for monotheism by addressing the issues associated with
polytheism pertaining to the worshipping of various deities. The lifestyles of Bedouins have
also been explained properly and appropriately as far as the condition of Pre-Islamic Arabia
is concerned. The plight of women in Pre-Islamic Arabia has also been discussed and
demonstrated accordingly. The aspect related to music in terms of culture and tradition has
also been described. The norms and values in Pre-Islamic Arabia have also been taken into
account. In a nutshell, the discourse presents an overview of the lifestyle which was
prevalent in Pre-Islamic Arabia.

ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION 9
Bibliography
Betts, A.. The Solubba: Nonpastoral Nomads in Arabia. Bulletin of the American Schools of
Oriental Research, 274, no. 1 (1989): 61-69. doi:10.2307/1357053
Brown, J.. The Social Context of Pre-Islamic Poetry: Poetic Imagery and Social Reality in the
Mu C Allaqat. Arab Studies Quarterly, 25, no. 3 (2003): 29-50. Retrieved from
http://www.jstor.org.ezproxy.library.yorku.ca/stable/41858448
Denny, F.M. Pre-Islamic Arabia: Beliefs, Values, Way of Life. An Introduction to Islam (4th
ed., pp. 32-46.) (New York: Routledge, 2011). Retrieved from
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com
Harris, R. Situating the Twelve Muqam: Between the Arab World and the Tang Court.
In Situating the Uyghurs Between China and Central Asia (pp. 95-114). 6th ed.
(Abingdon: Routledge, 2016).
Hawting, Gerald. The Development of Islamic Ritual. 8th ed. (Abingdon: Routledge, 2017).
Khan, I.. NIKAH IN THE PRE-ISLAMIC ERA: A CRITICLE REVIEW IN LIGHT OF
SHARIA'H. The Scholar-Islamic Academic Research Journal, 3, no. 1 (2017): 42-55.
Maraqten, M. Hunting in pre‐Islamic Arabia in light of the epigraphic evidence. Arabian
archaeology and epigraphy, 26, no. 2 (2015): 208-234.
McDonald, M. Orally Transmitted Poetry in Pre-Islamic Arabia and Other Pre-Literate
Societies. Journal of Arabic Literature, 9 (1978): 14-31. Retrieved from
http://www.jstor.org.ezproxy.library.yorku.ca/stable/4182992
Monroe, J. T. Oral composition in pre-Islamic poetry. In Early Islamic Poetry and
Poetics (pp. 1-54). 4th ed. (Abingdon:Routledge, 2017).
Peters, F. E. The Arabs and Arabia on the eve of Islam. 3rd ed. (Abingdon: Routledge, 2017).
Sidahmed, Abdel Salam. Islamic fundamentalism. 6th ed. (Abingdon: Routledge, 2018).
Utas, Bo. Women in Islamic societies. 6th ed. (Abingdon: Routledge, 2016).
Wolf, E. The Social Organization of Mecca and the Origins of Islam. Southwestern Journal
of Anthropology, 7, no. 4 (1951): 329-356. Retrieved from
http://www.jstor.org.ezproxy.library.yorku.ca/stable/3628510