Pre-Islamic Arabia

Abstract

This chapter is about the political institutions and the customary laws of pre-Islamic Arabia, some of which were incorporated into Islamic law. Though pre-Islamic Arabia is scarcely documented, Arabian sunna is known to us from contemporary sources and historiography. The first unit is about a historical overview of various Arab political entities in the south (Hadramaut, Saba’) and the north (Nabateans, Palmyra) with an eye on Mekka. The second unit concentrates on tribal societies and their mechanisms in politics, decision making and conflict resolution. The third unit analyses legal institutions concerning family law, laws of inheritance and criminal acts.