The Beginning of Islamic History and the Geography of Arabia

Our Starting Point

Muslim historians have generally started their books from Adam ( عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ ) while others have done it from the creation of the earth and the heaven. But I shall begin my history of Islam from the last Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) of Allâh, for states of things before him were not beyond doubt, and there was also no particular arrangement of writing history in the world before the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم). Moreover, it is from him that the beginning of Islamic history is thought of, because it is commonly called that he was the founder of Islam and the people of his Ummah alone are called the followers of Islam, otherwise Islam has made its presence on earth right from Adam ( عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ ), the father of man.

Relation between History and Geography

Geography is very closely and strongly related to history and hence the histories recently written in conformity with the European historians contain geography. Even the biographers of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) have also included the geography of Arabia to illustrate some points. But since I mean a complete but a brief history of the Muslims, inclusion of geography means writing the geography of the whole world, for the Muslims and their rule belong to the world at large. But this is most difficult if brevity is to be kept in view.

Moreover, I have taken advantage of the good opinion about the Muslims that they must be knowing the geography of the entire world along with the maps of the countries. However, it is a part of my plan to include in the book the maps of countries and states wherever they are needed. However, this book will not contain accounts of the Age of Ignorance, Arab nations, the Quraish, practices of Ignorance etc., in great detail.

In case of the life history of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم), I have largely benefited from Sihah Sittah (the six famous collections of the Prophet's traditions made by Imam Bukhâri, Muslim, Tirmidhi, Abu Dâwud, Nasa'i and Ibn Mâjah) and preferred Ahadith books to the books of history. I have taken out common materials from the history books Târikh Tabari, Târikh Al-Kâmil of Ibn Athir, Târikh Mas'udi, Târikh Abul-Fida', Târikh Ibn Khaldûn, Târikh Al-Khulafa' of Suyuti etc., and recorded them in my book. And thus the brief account of the whole history has been recorded in the best possible manner.

I have also taken accounts from the books of contemporary historians about Islamic rules established in various countries after the decline and downfall of the Abbasid caliphate. I have also quoted here and there passages from Christian historians, but I have quoted these passages just for the sake of getting support and using them as witnesses. I have firm conviction that compared to the Muslim historians, Christians are far less in true historical qualities. Hence, we should never turn towards them for getting facts.

Chapter 1

The Country of Arabia

A little mention of Arabia is essential at the outset for the Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) was born in the city of Makkah and emigrated to another famous city Al-Madinah, which also became the first Islamic capital of the first Islamic State. Arabian Peninsula is the area which converted to Islam completely during the lifetime of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم). This country of Arabia was the first center of the grandeur of Islam. It was in this country and in its language that Revelation was sent and the last heavenly Book was revealed, which is the source of guidance to all the countries and nations of the world till the Day of Judgement. It is from this country of Arabia that the light of Islam spread to everywhere in the world. In the city of Makkah lies the Ancient House, the Ka'bah, towards which Muslims come from all over the world and appear together on the plain of Arafât worshipping and praying to Allâh, praising and glorifying His Name. We find here the wealthy and the poor side by side chanting praises of the Creator of the earth and sky. Arabia dominated the entire world and became for it the torchbearer and lamp of guidance.

Situation and Physical Features

On the map of Asia there can be seen a big rectangular peninsula. This is called the Arabian Peninsula or Arabia, which has the following four boundaries:

The Arabian Peninsula is bounded on the east by the Arabian Gulf and that of Oman; on the south by Arabian Sea or Indian Ocean; on the west by the Red Sea; on the north by Jordan and Iraq.

The total area of the Arabian Peninsula is 1,250,000 square miles of which 450,000 square miles is pure desert and forms part of a completely desolate area. The most famous desert is known as Ar-Rub' Al-Khâli (the Empty Quarter) which stretches over an area of 250,000 square miles and extends to the southeast from middle of the Arabia. On the north of this vast desert is Al-Ahsa or Bahrain, and Oman lies on the south and east of Ar-Rub' Al-Khâli. In the Arabian Gulf, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Muscat are most famous cities. On the south of Ar-Rub' Al-Khâli, we find Hadramout and Mahra, which are situated on the coast of the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. To the south and west of Ar-Rub' Al-Khâli, is San'â' which is the famous city of Yemen, situated on the coast of the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea. At the time of the advent of Islam it was the center for Christians in Arabia. To the west of Ar-Rub' Al-Khâli, lie Asir and Najrân, which are on the coast of the Red Sea. To the north of Asir, the Red Sea touches a small territory called Tihâmah, which is considered as a part of Hijâz. On the north of Ar-Rub' Al-Khâli is Najd in the shape of a square, on the east of which is Bahrain, to the west is Hijâz and on the north is the desert of Iraq and Syria. The name of the northeastern part of Najd is Yamâmah. Hijâz is situated at the west of Najd and east of the Red Sea, it includes the cities of Makkah and Al-Madinah and the harbors of Jeddah and Yanbu. Between Syria and the Hijâz lies a territory called Khaibar and Hijr. It is another territory bound by Syria, Hijâz and Najd. Inside Ar-Rub' Al-Khâli and between Hadramout and Yamâmah is a famous desolate area called Al-Ahqâf, which was once the dwelling place of the people of Ād. A look at the above mentioned places in the map will give an idea of Arabia and its famous territories.