BEFORE the advent of Islam in Arabia, the principal religions of the Arabs ranged from rank polytheism and gross idolatry to rigid atheism. The idolatry of the Arabs consisted in the worship of planets, fixed stars, angels and their images. At the time of sacrifices and other ceremonials, they sought the intercession of the idols as mediators with God. The ancient Arabs had seven celebrated temples dedicated to the seven planets. Besides these deities each tribe had one or more peculiar object of worship. These idols were in the form of large rough stones which they carried with them on emigration. They had several superstitious rites and customs. But in their worship of idols there was an under-current of a distinct belief in the existence of an omnipotent and supreme God whom they called Allah, who transcended all the idols and who was supposed to be the creator of the world. But the influence of religion on the social or individual life of the people was negligible and there was an absence of cultural life among the people. Human sacrifices were offered to the idols. The normal social polity was without any restraint. Fratricidal and internecine wars were waged on the slightest pretext. Life was lewd and undisciplined; drinking and gambling were rife. Daughters at a certain age were thrown down from a precipice and were thus murdered, and incest was a common occurrence. The Arabs were divided amongst themselves but possessed some remnants of power in the province of Yaman, where they had set up the four last kings prior to Mohamed. But the Greeks under Heraclius attacked them and they not only lost their new conquests but lost a part of their old dominions. It was only after the Arabs were united under Islam that they totally subdued the Greeks. In the time of Mohamed, the Grecian Empire was weak and declining but Arabia was strong and flowering. It was peopled at the expense of the Grecian Empire whence many had come to seek refuge in a free country, on account of the violence of the domineering sects; consequently they poured themselves into Arabia, which was at that time a free country, where they found a secure retreat. The Arabians were unacquainted with the luxuries and delicacies of the Greeks and the Persians and were inured to hardships of all sorts. They led a simple life. They had become accomplished chiefly in eloquence and skill in expression, horsemanship and in wielding arms and in hospitality. They were also known for their liberality. The chief occupations of the Arabs were two. Those who dwelt in towns and cities had for their vocation tilling, cultivations, breeding camels, trade and commerce. The occupation of the Arabs who lived in tents was pasturage. The tribe of Koreish to which Mohamed belonged had much to do with trade and commerce. At the time of Mohamed, the Arabs were divided into multiple, independent tribes which made it possible for Mohamed to propagate his new religion. But once they embraced his religion there was a resultant union of tribes. This in short was the state of the ancient Arabs.

—Glimpses of World Religions