7th Century Middle East Essay

Carrie Grumhaus

February 24, 2018

Intro to Middle East

Seventh Century Middle East

For centuries, the Middle East has been the home to powerful empires, innovative technology and flourishing cities. Hundreds of emperors and leaders made laws and instituted values trying to leave their mark on these ever-changing societies, however no one was as effective as the Final Prophet. Around 613 CE, a prophet known as Muhammad began to preach new revelations and share the religion of Islam. As his teachings, values and beliefs gained a following in cities and eventually throughout the entire Middle East, evident changes in the social structure, culture and value systems were evident. This new religion had a profound impact and led to noticeable advances

In pre-Islamic societies, little attention was given to slaves and the poor. As seen in Antar and Abla one’s title as a slave is defining and is the first thing people notice and remember when making decisions and in all interactions. Antar even with all his successes and accomplishments was not allowed to marry Abla not because her father didn’t trust Antar to provide and protect her but because of his technical status of a slave. The existence of this title not only limited Antar’s opportunity but to all other that were free he was seen as inferior, even if he was stronger and more

In The Good Neighbor of sheikh allowed a poorer man to live near him and for seven years provided for him and his sons. However, when the sheikh learned that one of the younger sons was interested in his daughter he exiled the man and his sons. When the man learned of the reasons why, he cut off his son’s head and brought it to the sheikh in order to prove his loyalty and with this he was accepted back into the tribe. This story proves how seriously relationships between tribes and friends were. The neighbor also recognized that the little bit of wealth that he had accumulated was a result of this friendship and without it his survival wasn’t