Makkah wa al-Madina fi al-Jahiliya wa Ahd al-Rasul

Makkah wa al-Madina fi al-Jahiliya wa Ahd al-Rasul (Mecca and Medina in the Pre-Islamic Era and the Era of the Messenger) is a historical study of the two holy cities of the Hejaz during the pre-Islamic period and the prophetic era, authored by the Egyptian historian Ahmad Ibrahim al-Sharif al-Idara fi Asr al-Rasul+1.

Background and Purpose

Al-Sharif completed the work in Cairo in November 1965, and it was published there by Dar al-Fikr al-Arabi al-Idara fi Asr al-Rasul+1. In the introduction, the author stated that classical prophetic biographies and modern historical studies often treated the broader socio-economic, political, and religious environment of pre-Islamic Arabia marginally, focusing predominantly on personal biographical narratives or minimizing pre-Islamic material and intellectual life Makkah wa al-Madina fi al…+1. He also noted that Western Orientalist scholarship frequently suffered from flawed premises, textual misunderstandings, or selective use of weak reports Makkah wa al-Madina fi al…. His stated aim was to provide a systematic, critical study of Mecca and Medina (Yathrib) as the twin urban centers of the Hejaz and the foundational setting for the rise of the Islamic state Makkah wa al-Madina fi al…+1.

Method and Sources

The author structured his methodology around primary scriptural and historical sources:

• The Quran: Relied upon as the foremost, incontrovertible mirror of pre-Islamic and early Islamic religious, intellectual, social, and economic life, documenting Arab beliefs, disputes, trade networks, and maritime activity Makkah wa al-Madina fi al…+1.
• Hadith Literature: Utilized from authenticated collections (al-kutub al-sihah) as the second foundational source, filtered through the critical principles of jarh wa-ta'dil (hadith criticism) Makkah wa al-Madina fi al….
• Classical Arabic Chronicles and Literature: Incorporating works of history, biography, genealogy, and pre-Islamic poetry, evaluated critically against the primary scriptural evidence Makkah wa al-Madina fi al…+1.
• Western and Classical Scholarship: Utilizing geographical and historical studies by Greek, Roman, and modern Western authors, including Ptolemy, Gerald de Gaury, Henri Lammens, William Muir, and W. Montgomery Watt Makkah wa al-Madina fi al…+1.

Structure and Content

The book is organized into four major parts, a conclusion, and analytical indexes:

• Part One: Geography of the Arabian Peninsula and Tribal Structure (Jughrafiyat al-Jazira al-Arabiyya wa al-Tashkil al-Qabali): Covers the geography, valleys, and main towns of the Hejaz, followed by an analysis of the tribal political system, social stratifications (freeborn, slaves, and clients), tribal customary law, levels of 'asabiyya (tribal solidarity), military traditions, and Arab seasonal markets Makkah wa al-Madina fi al….
• Part Two: The City of Mecca (Madinat Makkah): Discusses the origins of Mecca, Qusayy ibn Kilab and the rise of Quraysh, municipal governance, clan rivalries, external relations with South Arabia, the Levant, the Sasanian Empire, and al-Hira, the institution and economic impact of the Hajj and sacred months, commerce, finance, and social classes, concluding with the emergence of the prophetic mission and early opposition Makkah wa al-Madina fi al…+1.
• Part Three: The City of Yathrib (Madinat Yathrib): Details the population and social makeup of pre-Islamic Yathrib—including the Jewish tribes and the Arab tribes of Aws and Khazraj—intercommunal relations, agriculture, trade, industry, the Hijra, and the founding of the Islamic polity through the Constitution of Medina (al-Sahifa) Makkah wa al-Madina fi al…+1.
• Part Four: The Conflict Between Yathrib and Its Adversaries (al-Sira' bayna Yathrib wa Khusumiha): Examines the political and military confrontation between Mecca and Medina, detailing the battles of Badr, Uhud, and al-Khandaq (the Trench), leading up to the Treaty of al-Hudaybiyya Makkah wa al-Madina fi al…. It also covers the clashes with the Jewish settlements of Banu Qaynuqa, Banu al-Nadir, Banu Qurayza, and Khaybar, as well as expeditions involving northern tribes such as the Battle of Mu'tah Makkah wa al-Madina fi al….
• Conclusion and Indexes: Concludes with the Conquest of Mecca, the declaration of disavowal (Bara'a), and the establishment of the early Caliphate amid the Ridda wars to consolidate political unity Makkah wa al-Madina fi al…. The book ends with extensive indexes of personal names, tribes, geographical locations, and military engagements Makkah wa al-Madina fi al…+1.