بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِ۔1
نَحْمَدُہٗ وَنُصَلِّیْ عَلیٰ رَسُوْلِهِ الْكَرِیْمِ - 2
Introduction
The origin of Islām is traced to a period in time which, for most nations, held no real historical significance. It was when, not only the invention of printing was yet to come into existence, but also, the art of writing and composition was still in its preliminary stages of development. Based on the famous Christian calendar system, the time period of the Holy Prophetsa is stated to be from 570 A.D. to 632 A.D. It is that period in time when a majority of the nations of the world were absolutely unacquainted with the art of composition and it was prevalent to some extent in such nations who, in one form or another, were advanced politically or literally. However, as shall soon become apparent, prior to Islām not only was Arabia entirely isolated from the outside world, it was also completely devoid of every kind of educational, political and social movement internally as well. Therefore, prior to Islām, although educated individuals could be found in Arabia, the level of their knowledge was merely limited to basic reading and writing. Moreover, no literary work of the Pre-Islāmic era or historical record of ancient Arabia from this period has been preserved. Although relics and inscriptions belonging to some of the nations of ancient Arabia are present today, this source cannot, by any means, become the basis of sound and comprehensive information.
Upon the second degree comes the record of such nations and sovereignties as were, in that era, situated in the close proximity of Arabia. Among them, the Royal Empires of Rome and Persia are particularly worthy of mention. Since the geographical boundaries of Arabia met with these two nations, minimal mention of Arabia can be found at some places in the historical accounts of these sovereignties. However, certainly, this mention is very brief and pertinent to affairs only trivial in nature; therefore, no real insight can be derived in regards to the internal state of the country on the basis of this implicative information. The history of Jewish nations and the Bible can also be placed under this category, as indications towards Arabia are found at various instances.
1 In the name of Allāh, the Gracious, the Merciful (Publishers)
2 We praise Allāh and invoke blessings upon His Noble Messenger (Publishers)