Question
Describe the features of tribes of the Arabs.
Solution
The Arabs were divided into tribes (qabila), each led by a chief who was chosen partly on the basis of his family connections but more for his personal courage, wisdom and generosity (murawwa). Each tribe had its own god or goddess, who was worshipped as an idol (sanam) in a shrine (masjid).
Many Arab tribes were nomadic (Bedouins), moving from dry to green areas (oases) of the desert in search of food (mainly dates) and fodder for their camels. Some settled in cities and practised trade or agriculture.
Muhammad’s own tribe, Quraysh, lived in Mecca and controlled the main shrine there, a cube- like structure called Kaba, in which idols were placed. Even tribes outside Mecca considered the Kaba installed their own idols at this shrine, making annual pilgrimages (Hajj) to the shrine.
