The Political and Commercial Interactions of Mecca before Islam with the Nabataeans, Byzantium, and Persians

The Political and Commercial Interactions of Mecca before Islam

Abstract

This study examines the significance of Mecca as a major religious and commercial hub in the Arabian Peninsula and as a central intersection along international trade routes. Its location between Yemen and the Levant made it a key stop for caravans, with trade constituting its primary economic activity. Over time, various tribes settled in Mecca, culminating in the emergence of Quraysh, who organized its political and economic affairs. Quraysh established Ilaf agreements with neighboring tribes and states to secure trade routes amid regional tensions between the Byzantine and Persian powers. These agreements enabled the winter journey to Yemen and the summer journey to the Levant, enhancing Mecca’s commercial influence. The paper explains how these interactions shaped Mecca’s position and strengthened the economic and political role of Quraysh, demonstrating their decisive impact on pre-Islamic Meccan history.