History of Islam Author : Mahdi Pishva'i Publisher’s Preface Chapter One : The Arabian Peninsula; The Significance of Parentage Chapter Two : Moral Features of the Arabs Chapter Three : Sects and Religions in the Arabian Peninsula and its Surroundings The Worshipping of Jinn and Angels The commercial position Chapter One : the Holy Prophet’s Ancestors Chapter Two : The Holy Prophet’s Childhood and Adolescence Chapter Three : The Holy Prophet’s Youth Ssction Three : From Prophethood To Migration The Pioneer Groups in Acceptance of Islam Chapter Two : The Public Propagation and the Start of Oppositions Chapter Three : The consequences and reactions of Opposition to the Qur'an The Prophet's wives Section Four : From Hegira to the Universal Invitation Presented by http://www.alhassanain.com & http://www.islamicblessings.com Chapter Two : The Prophet's Major proceedings in Medina Chapter Three : Conspiracies of the Jews Chapter Four : Establishment of Muslim Military Forces The Battle of the Ditch The Prophet’s Prediction Section Five : From The Universal Invitation To The Depature of The Holy Prophet Chapter Two : The spread of Islam Imam `Ali; the Holy Prophet's successor in Medina Chapter Three : The Farewell Pilgrimage and the Demise of the Prophet A Perspective on the New Community of Muslims Publisher’s Preface In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful The precious legacy left behind by the Holy Prophet’s Household [ahl al‐bayt] (may peace be The linked image cannot be displayed. The file may have been moved, renamed, or deleted. Verify that the link points to the correct file and location. upon them all) and their followers’ preservation of this legacy from the menace of extinction is a perfect example of the all‐encompassing school [madrasah] that embraces all the different branches of Islamic knowledge. This school has been able to train many talented personalities by quenching them with this gushing fountain. This school has given scholars to the Muslim ummah who, by following the Holy Prophet’s Household (a.s), have done their best in order to clear up the doubts and skepticisms put forth by various creeds and intellectual currents both inside and outside the Muslim society. Throughout the past centuries, they have presented the firmest answers and solutions to these doubts. Presented by http://www.alhassanain.com & http://www.islamicblessings.com Anchored to the responsibilities upon its shoulders, the Ahl al‐Bayt (a.s) World Assembly has embarked on defending the sanctity of risalah [message] and its authentic beliefs which have always been opposed by the chiefs and leaders of anti‐Islamic sects, religions and trends. In this sacred path, the Assembly regards itself as a follower of the upright pupils of the School of the Ahl al‐Bayt (a.s)—those who have always been ready to refute those accusations and calumnies and have tried to be always in the frontline of this struggle on the basis of the expediencies of time and space. The experiences in this field, contained in the books of the scholars belong to the School of the Ahl al‐Bayt (a.s), are unique in their own right. It is because these experiences are based upon knowledge and preeminence of intellect and reasoning, and because they are devoid of blind fanaticism or whims and caprices. These experiences address experts, scholars and thinkers in a manner that appeals to healthy minds and pure human natural disposition [fitrah]. In a bid to assist those who are in quest of truth, the Ahl al‐Bayt (a.s) World Assembly has endeavored to enter a new phase of these worthy experiences by doing researches and translating the works of contemporary Shi`ah writers or those who, through divine guidance, have embraced this noble school. The Assembly is also engaged in the study and publication of the valuable works of pious predecessors and outstanding Shi`ah personalities so that those who search for the truth may quench their thirst from this palatable fountain where they find the truth which the School of the Prophet’s Household (a.s) offers to the entire world. It is hoped that the dear readers will not deprive the Ahl al‐Bayt (a.s) World Assembly of their valuable opinions, suggestions, and constructive criticisms in this arena. We also invite scholars, translators and other institutions to assist us in propagating the pure Muhammadan Islam. We ask God, the Exalted, to accept this humble effort and give us success to enhance it under the auspices of His vicegerent on earth, al‐Mahdi (may Allah, the Exalted, expedite his glorious advent). It is appropriate here to express our utmost gratitude to Mr. Mahdi Pishva'i for writing the book, to Dr. Farrukh Pey for translating it, to Badr Shahin for editing the translation. We should also like to thank colleagues who took part in accomplishing this task especially the Presented by http://www.alhassanain.com & http://www.islamicblessings.com staff of the Translation Office for fulfilling their responsibility. Cultural Affairs Department The Ahl al‐Bayt (a.s) World Assembly Chapter One : The Arabian Peninsula; its Geographical, Social and Cultural Status The Arabian Peninsula, located in the south‐west of Asia, is the world's largest Peninsula. Extended from the north‐west towards southeast, it resembles an irregular trapezoid[1] with an area of three million and two hundred thousand square kilometers[2]. The present Saudi Arabia covers nearly four‐fifths of this Peninsula;[3] the rest, in accordance with the present political demarcation, is occupied by six political states of Yemen, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait. It borders the Aden Gulf, Bab al‐Mandab Strait, the Indian Ocean and the Sea of Oman. It borders the Red Sea on the west, the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf and Iraq on the east; and on the north borders a widespread desert extending to the valley of the Euphrates on one side, and Syria on the other. Since there are no natural borders, such as rivers or mountains, in this Peninsula, geographers have not been able so far to mark its northern border.[4] The Arabian Peninsula is surrounded by the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, the Red Sea, and the Mediterranean except for its southern sections. Nevertheless, it suffers from severe lack of water and is considered one of the driest and hottest areas of the world. It even lacks a large river or a navigable waterway. Instead, it has lands which are sometimes flooded with rainfalls. The existence of a mountain range, which starts from the Sinai Peninsula and extends all over the western border of Arabia, acting as a lofty wall, and which winds around the southwest corner of the peninsula to go around the southern and eastern sectors of Arabia as far as the Persian Gulf is the main reason for the extreme dryness of this Peninsula. Thus, Arabia is surrounded, on three sides, with this lofty mountain‐wall and this hinders humidity of the seas from entering this land.[5] Presented by http://www.alhassanain.com & http://www.islamicblessings.com On the other hand, the extent of the neighboring water is so insufficient that it could not modify the warmth and dryness of these vast African‐Asian lands which are low in receiving humidity. This is worsened by the blowing of the poisoning Monsoon winds inside Arabia which stops the rain‐carrying winds from the Indian Ocean coming from the south from entering the Arabian Peninsula[6]. Divisions of the Arabian Peninsula Both Arab and non‐Arab geographers have divided the Arabian Peninsula on the basis of the natural elements (such as weather) and on the basis of races and tribes.[7] Some contemporary scientists have divided it into three main sections in the following manner: The central section, which is called the Arab Desert; The northern section, which is called Hijaz; The southern section, which is called Yemen.[8] Division on the Basis of Natural Conditions (The south and the North) Besides these divisions, there has been, in recent years, another division proposed for Arabia which fits in well with the purposes of this book. This division is based on the life sustaining conditions which have had a tremendous effect on the lives of people, living things and plants of this region. These conditions have influenced the individual and social traits of these people and have brought forth some changes which were in existence up to the advent of Islam. There exist two drastic conditions in the Arabian Peninsula: either there is water, or there is no water. This parameter has had tremendous effects on life patterns of people: it sets apart the southern section, i.e. Yemen, from the central and northern sections. Life Conditions in the Southern Section (Yemen) Looking at the map of this land, we find a triangle‐shaped territory in the southwestern part of the Arabian Peninsula. The Arab Sea forms the eastern side of this triangle, while the Red Sea forms the western border. A line drawn from Dhahran (in the west) to Khazra’ Mount (in the east) forms the third side of this triangle. Inside this huge triangle lies a territory, called Yemen since old times. Due to the abundance of water and the regular rainfall, this region has enjoyed lucrative agriculture and dense population; Presented by http://www.alhassanain.com & http://www.islamicblessings.com in this regard, it contrasts with both the north and central part of the Peninsula. On the other hand, a dense population needs a permanent residence. For this very reason, villages and cities came to existence. The concentration of people in cities and villages creates interaction among people which is unavoidable.