Arabia: An Overview of Bilādu ʾl-ʿArab (بلاد العرب‎)

Etymology and Nomenclature

• Arabic: بلاد العرب (Bilādu ʾl-ʿArab), جزيرة العرب (Jazīratu ʾl-ʿArab), عربستان (ʿArabistān)
• Hebrew: עֲרָבָה‎
• The term “Arabia” likely signifies a “barren place” or “desert”.

Geographic Division

Arabia is the large peninsula located to the east of the Red Sea and extending to the Persian Gulf. Historically, it has been divided as follows:

• By Ptolemy:

  • Arabia Petræa
  • Arabia Felix
  • Arabia Deserta

• By Arabian Geographers:

  • Tiḥāmah
  • al-Ḥijāz
  • an-Najd
  • al-ʿArūz̤
  • al-Yaman

Racial and Tribal Divisions

Arabian races are traditionally divided into three sections:

1. Al-ʿArabu ʾl-Bāʾidah (The Lost Arabs):

   • Old and extinct tribes such as ʿĀd, S̤amūd, Jadīs, and T̤asm.
   • These tribes are referred to in the Qurʾān, sanctioning their historical context according to Islamic belief.

2. Al-ʿArabu ʾl-ʿĀribah (The Pure Arabs):

   • Descendants from Joktan or Qaḥt̤ān.
   • Two main branches: The tribes of al-Yaman established by Yaʿrub and the kingdom of al-Ḥijāz founded by Jurhum.

3. Al-ʿArabu ʾl-Mustaʿribah (The Mixed Arabs):

   • Claimed descent from Ishmael and intertwined with the kingdom of al-Ḥijāz following the ancestry from Jurhum.

Key Tribes and Their Legends

• ʿĀd:

  • Settled in al-Aḥqāf and known for their legendary ruler Shaddād who built the mythical city of Iram.
  • The tribe was destroyed by divine retribution for their arrogance and idolatry.

• S̤amūd:

  • Settled first in Arabia Felix and later on the boundaries of Syria.
  • Known for their monumental houses carved in rocks. They too faced divine punishment for idolatry.

• T̤asm and Jadīs:

  • Settled between Makkah and al-Madīnah.
  • Their memorably tragic end came from internal conspiracy and eventual divine punishment.

Prophets and Divine Justice

Prophets were sent to these tribes to call them back to the worship of the One God.

• Prophet Hūd:

  • Sent to the tribe of ʿĀd, who faced destruction due to their continuous idolatry despite warnings and a three-year drought.

• Prophet Ṣāliḥ:

  • Sent to the tribe of S̤amūd, miraculously producing a she-camel, a divine sign rejected by the tribe, leading to their demise.

The Descent from Ishmael

The mixed Arabs (al-ʿArabu ʾl-Mustaʿribah) trace their lineage to Ishmael, son of Abraham and Hagar, an Egyptian slave. After being supplanted by Isaac, Ishmael and Hagar settled in Makkah, which evolved from an arid wilderness to a thriving center of civilization.

Significance in Islamic Tradition

• Well of Zamzam: Suggested to be the well that saved Hagar and Ishmael.
• Kaʿbah: Built by Abraham and Ishmael, becoming one of the holiest sites in Islam.

Genealogy

The lineage of prominent Islamic figures and tribes often tracks back to both pure and mixed Arab lineages showcasing a blend of profound ancestry and spiritual significance.

Important Generations

• From Ishmael to Muhammad with noteworthy ancestors like ʿAbdu ʾl-Mutt̤alib and Hāshim.

Suggested Readings for Further Studies

• Abū ʾl-Fidāʾ: Histories and genealogies.
• Gagnier, “Vie de Mahomet”: Insightful account of Muhammad’s life.
• Crichton’s “History of Arabia”: Detailed historical overview.
• Pocock, “Specimen Arabicarum Historiarum”: Classical Arabic history.
• Sale, “The Koran: Prelim. Dis.”: Context and translations of the Qur`an.
• Saiyid Ahmad K͟hān’s Essays: On Islamic and Arabian history.

Key Takeaways

• Arabia has a richly textured history, divided among various regions and tribes.
• Islamic tradition places significant emphasis on the divine interventions and prophetic missions throughout Arabian history.
• The genealogical connections highlight the cultural intertwining of heritage with spiritual reverence.

Conclusion

The history and cultural composition of Arabia is a vital topic in understanding Islamic civilization and theological underpinnings. Bilādu ʾl-ʿArab’s legacy, as reflected in its tribal lore, prophetic stories, and geographical distinctions, remains a cornerstone for scholars and enthusiasts of Islamic history.