Magan, Midian, and ʿĀd are all ancient tribes or civilizations that are mentioned in Arabic literature and
have roots in the Arabia. Magan (Arabic: ن^ اجَمِ, Majan ), known for its production of copper and other
metals, the region was an important trading center in ancient times and is mentioned in the Qur'an as a
place where the prophet Moses traveled during his lifetime.[180][181] Midian (Arabic: نَيْدَم, Madyan ), on the
other hand, was a region located in the northwestern part of the Arabia, the people of Midian
are mentioned in the Qur'an as having worshiped idols and having been punished by God for their
disobedience.[182][183] The prophet Moses also lived in Midian for a time, where he married and worked
as a shepherd. ʿĀd (Arabic: َ داَع, ʿĀd ), as mentioned earlier, was an ancient tribe that lived in the southern
Arabia, the tribe was known for its wealth, power, and advanced technology, but they were ultimately
destroyed by a powerful windstorm as punishment for their disobedience to God.[184] ʿĀd is regarded as
one of the original Arab tribes.[185][186]
The historian Herodotus provided extensive information about Arabia, describing
the spices, terrain, folklore, trade, clothing, and weapons of the Arabs. In his third book, he mentioned
the Arabs (Άραβες) as a force to be reckoned with in the north of the Arabian Peninsula just
before Cambyses’ campaign against Egypt. Other Greek and Latin authors who wrote about Arabia
include Theophrastus, Strabo, Diodorus Siculus, and Pliny the Elder. The Jewish historian Flavius
Josephus wrote about the Arabs and their king, mentioning their relationship with Cleopatra, the queen
of Egypt. The tribute paid by the Arab king to Cleopatra was collected by Herod, the king of the Jews, but
the Arab king later became slow in his payments and refused to pay without further deductions. This
sheds some light on the relations between the Arabs, Jews, and Egypt at that time.[187] Geshem the
Arab was an Arab man who opposed Nehemiah in the Hebrew Bible (Neh. 2:19, 6:1). He was likely the
chief of the Arab tribe "Gushamu" and have been a powerful ruler with influence stretching from
northern Arabia to Judah. The Arabs and the Samaritans made efforts to hinder Nehemiah's rebuilding
of the walls of Jerusalem.[188][189][190]
Arabia Petraea or simply Arabia existed from the 2nd century onwards.
Including regions in Jordan, Palestine, the Sinai Peninsula, and the northwestern Arabian Peninsula
The term "Saracens" was a term used in the early centuries, both in Greek and Latin writings, to refer to
the "Arabs" who lived in and near what was designated by the Romans as Arabia Petraea (Levant)
and Arabia Deserta (Arabia).[191][192] The Christians of Iberia used the term Moor to describe all the Arabs
and Muslims of that time. Arabs of Medina referred to the nomadic tribes of the deserts as the A'raab,
and considered themselves sedentary, but were aware of their close racial bonds. Hagarenes is a term
widely used by early Syriac, Greek, and Armenian to describe the early Arab conquerors of
Mesopotamia, Syria and Egypt, refers to the descendants of Hagar, who bore a son named Ishmael to
Abraham in the Old Testament. In the Bible, the Hagarenes referred to as "Ishmaelites" or
"Arabs.".[193] The Arab conquests in the 7th century was a sudden and dramatic conquest led by Arab
armies, which quickly conquered much of the Middle East, North Africa, and Spain. It was a significant