The historical geography of the city of Mecca and its impact on spreading the Islamic call (A study in historical geography)

Abstract

The geographical location of the city of Mecca between the regions of the ancient Arabian Peninsula has drawn the features of the city's historical and Islamic civilization, and it gained its importance by playing the role of a commercial mediator that affected its political and economic role. Mecca, by virtue of its geographical location, has become a global market for trade, in addition to being a meeting place for poets and writers. After Islam, its people played a major role in spreading the Islamic call and spreading Islamic awareness, as it embraced the Holy Kaaba, which is the first house established for people to worship God. Several factors, including the geographical and commercial location of Mecca, helped in the spread of Islam in the Arabian Peninsula and the world, as it was an important commercial station before and after Islam, as it is located on the main road in the caravan line between Yemen and the Levant, which gave it characteristics and features that no other city in the Arabian Peninsula can compete with. The location between the Arabian Gulf to the east and the Red Sea to the west also played a major role in the commercial life of its residents, which contributed to the spread of Islam later through communication between different tribes and peoples. The Hajj pilgrimage had a great impact in strengthening unity among Muslims, as it meets Muslims from all over the world come to perform this sacred ritual, and the principles of Islamic law have contributed to enhancing economic, social and urban indicators and played a major role in shaping the Islamic identity and strengthening unity among Muslims on the spiritual, economic and social levels.