Page:The young Moslem looks at life (1937).djvu/39

Rh To make matters more complicated from a political point of view, it must be remembered that both the Roman and Persian empires had "spheres of influence" in the country, and there were settlements of Jews and Christians as well.

The people were chiefly shepherds and traders. Long camel caravans bearing valuable merchandise to and from the surrounding countries of Syria, Mesopotamia, and Egypt were constantly on the move. By sea Arabs on the south and east coasts had for centuries been carrying on a thriving business in silks and spices with the western coast of India.

Mecca, the chief city of the Arabian peninsula, was primarily a settlement of a tribe called the Koreish. The Koreish were held in very special regard, because to them was entrusted the care of the temple or sanctuary, known as the Kaaba, which in spite of their differences was revered alike by all Arab tribes, and to which they made annual pilgrimages. Although there was no unity in the country—since no one ruler was recognized and the tribes were more or less constantly at war with each other—Mecca was the center of a certain amount of religious unity which centered around the Kaaba.

The religion of the Arabs at this time was a form of polytheism. They followed various debasing and immoral customs. Furthermore, the Arabs up to this time had no sacred scriptures; nor had they a national religious prophet. But at the same time it seems they were fully aware of their common racial origin with