6. Pre-Islamic Arabia

Overall summary

Pre-Islamic Arabia was a place of jahiliyah (ignorance) which mostly served as a rocky neutral ground between 3 jealous empires. There was no national identity, just a mixture of religious, cultural and trading groups moving around. The most significant settlement was Makkah, which was fueled by money from pilgrimmage. Common beliefs included animism and the practice of divination surrounding hubal and the 3 daughters.