Highlights on History
It has been confirmed orally that the Arabian Peninsula was the cradle of an advanced civilization since the beginning of human history. These civilizations successively flourished and declined, settling in the fertile parts of the Arabian Peninsula. Sometimes they isolated themselves but usually they had contact with their neighbours. There were, at different times, Tasm, Jadees, Saba'a and Aad in the south and Thamud and Madyan were in the north.
Old drawing of Al-Masjid Al-Haram [Full size]
These civilizations prospered and perished, but Allah, the All-Wise, desired that the cultural history of this peninsula be perpetual. Its actual history started when Allah, the Almighty, honoured it by sending Abraham, the Father of the Prophets (peace be upon him), to build the Ancient House and settle with his family in the heart of this peninsula. Makkah, at that time an arid area, was designated as Umm UI Qura (Mother of Cities).
The offspring of Ismail Ibn Ibrahim (peace be upon them) multiplied after they had raised the foundations of the Sacred House. This arid valley was changed, becoming the direction of the hearts and the place of assembly for Muslims, it nourished their spirits and refreshed their souls and fruits were brought to them from all parts of the world.
Allah, the Supreme, selected from the people of Makkah and the offspring of Abraham (peace be upon him), the seal of His Prophets and Messengers, Muhammad Ibn Abdullah (blessings and peace be upon him). The Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him) called to monotheism, and from Makkah Al-Mukarramah to Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, to the borders of the Arabian Peninsula, the call for righteousness poured forth to echo around the world.
The concept of the map of the Earth through history (right) [Full size]
A map of the Earth by Al-Jehany, tenth century A.D. (left). [Full size]
The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) was sent at a time when the society of the Arabian Peninsula had degenerated in its social, political and economic conditions. It was incredible that the inhabitants of the Arabian Peninsula proved that only Islam could dramatically have influenced, developed and motivated the Arab society of that time. This society developed and flourished when Islam came into being and offered to the Jahiliyah (pre-Islamic period of ignorance) community the creed that inculcated their minds and souls with new values. When Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace be upon him) guided them towards a new look at the universe, this world and the hereafter, radically changing their traditional pre-Islamic outlook, he released their huge potential and united them after years of dissension Islam altered social and political systems and made all Muslims equal brothers, with preference determined only by one's grasp of the creed, adherence to it, and abidance by its judgements, as demonstrated by one's manners, behaviour and relations with others.
When the new creed predominated in the Arabian Peninsula, the new religion of Islam was introduced to neighbouring countries. Here started a new cultural role in human history led by Arabs and Muslims for many countries. Whenever the history of world culture is mentioned, Arabs and Muslims occupy a high place. They have contributed bright and glittering pages in the book of universal civilization and culture.
