Page 14 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

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Moseilomah, maintained such a stout resistance, that the mon of Hojaz wore
obliged to offer terms. The result was that the people of Nejd retained their
liberty and independence on tho condition of making a nominal profession
of Islam.
4. During the eleven centuries which intervened bctwcon tho rise of Islam
in the seventh century, and tho outbreak
Qmiral viffu of Arabia : tht old tmpirt of Yemen,
of tho Wahabis in tho eighteenth century,
the history of Arabia !s almost a blank. The progress of affairs, however, wa9
largely inlluencod by previous ovonts, which have been much neglected by his­
torians, but which may, perhaps, bo briefly indicated hero. It appears that,
about a century beforo tho advent of Mahomet, tho old empire of Yemen, of
which dim memorials aro preserved in Himyaritio inscriptions, was already on
tho decline. Originally established iu Southern Arabia, it had gradually extended
over tho flojaz, Nojd, and Oman, and also over an undefined territory beyond
the exact limits of those provinces. This Yemenite empire was broken up by
Abyssinian invasions. On tho north-west the territory of Ghassan was finally
-absorbed in the Byzantine empire. On the north-east tho territory of Hoira,
iu like manner, became an outlying province of Persia, which was at that time
under the dominion of the Sassanidos. On the south tho Yomanite dynasty was
subsequently resuscitated by a Himayarite Chief, who drove out the Abyssi­
nian invaders, and established his rule over a large and important territory, of
which Oman was a viceroyalty ; but this Yomanite dynasty, like that of Heira,
was compelled to pay tribute to Persia. In the centre the rude clans of Nejd
established their independence, and exercised a supremacy over other quarters
of the peninsula.
Tour Oonrnminti in Arabia at t\a advent of 5. At the advent of Mahomet there
Mahomet.
were thus four different Governments in
Arabia:—
lit—The Byzantine empire on the north-west, which had extonded its
frontier to within an easy distance of Medina.
2nd—The Persiau province of Heira on the north-east, which extended
from the lower Euphrates to the Persian Gulf, and inland to the limits of
Nejd Proper.
3rd.—The Yemanite rule, including Oman, and also paying tribute to
Persia.
4th.—The Nejd tribes on the central table land, who were groupod round
the prophet Mosoilemah.
Besides these four Governments, several small but energetic Jewish com­
munities possessed independent strongholds. The Bedouin tribes also, who had
been emancipated by the great convulsion which had rent Central and Northern
Arabia from the empire of Yemen, had obtained considerable importance, and
did much to aggravate the .prevailing confusion.
6. The political idea of Mahomet and his companions in Hcjaz was to
conquer the entire peninsula, and bring
Trogrtn of Uunulman eonqueet in Arabia.
it under one law, religion, and dominion.
The result is a matter of history. The Greeks were vanquished, and tho
authority of the Byzantine empire was banishod for over from Arabia. The
Persian authority in Heira was overthrown by the fiery enthusiasm of the early
Mussulmans. The people of Yemen suffered themselves to be incorporated
into the Hojaz empire almost without a blow. The Jews were either driven
out or extinguished. The people of Nejd alone stood aloof under their prophet
Moseilemah, and only gave in a nominal adherence after a sovcrc and obstinate
struggle. Under such circumstances, tho people of Nejd still nourished a bitter
hatred against Hcjaz and Islam, and natui-ally yielded to the tendency to
abandon their allegiance to the prophet of Hcjaz, and to return to their ancient
customs and institutions.
7. Horo it may bo remarked that the political strength of Islam lay in the
Political condition of Arabia bitietin tit nvmth faot that it was a rallying point for a
and ngiutnth tmturiu. the dwellers in towns and enthusiasm*
lovers of Arab freedom, against tho lawlessness of tho Bedouin marauders and