PRE-ISLAMIC ARABIA

In Islam, many taboos surround the bodies of men and women, who must also perform all kinds of purification rites to get rid of their supposed defilement. These taboos are not specifically Islamic because they exist most of the time within other religious traditions. But where do they come from and what is their history? Why is pork, to cite a well-known example, unclean for Muslims? As we will see in this section, these taboos have their roots in archaic Near Eastern beliefs and representations. We will also see why(s) they were incorporated into the new religion.

At the Origins of Mecca

Mecca (in Arabic: makkah) is the most significant city in Islam. Located to the west of the Arabian Peninsula, in a remote and volcanic…

YATHRIB BEFORE ISLAM

Medina is a sacred city for Muslims, on the same level as Mecca. According to Islamic tradition, the Prophet chose the oasis as the place…