The MetropolisHistorical records, collections of pre-Islamic poetry, and what is known of the habits, cus-
toms, norms and traditions of the Arabians show that the people of Makkah had already
been drawn into the stream of urban culture from their earlier rural, nomadic existence.
The Qur'aan describes the city as 'the Mother of towns'.
"And thus we have inspired in thee a Lecture in Arabic, that You may warn the moth-
er-town and those around it, and may warn of a day of assembling whereof there is no
doubt. A host will be in the Garden and a host of them in the Flame". [Qur'aan 42:7]At another place Makkah is designated as the 'land made safe'.
"By the fig and the olive, by Mount Sinai, and by this land made safe". [Qur'aan 95:1-3]The Qur'aan also calls it a city.
"Nay I swear by this city— And You art an indeweller of this city". [Qur'aan 90:1-2]
Makkah had long passed from nomadic barbarism to the stage of urban civilization by the
middle of the fifth century. The city was ruled by a confederacy based on mutual coopera-
tion, unity of purpose and a general consensus on the division of administrative and civil
functions between self governing clans, and this system had already been brought into
existence by Qusayy b. Kilab. Prophet Muhammed (r) being fifth in the line of succession to
Qusayy b. Kilab, the latter can be placed in the middle of the fifth century.
Makkah, thinly populated in the beginning, was located between the two hills called Jabl
Abu Qubays (adjacent to Mount Safa) and Jabl Ahmar, known as 'Araf during the pre-lslamic
days, opposite the valley of Quaqiq'an. The population of the town increased gradually
owing partly to the reverence paid to the Ka'bah and the regardful position of its priests and
attendants, and partly because of the peace prevailing in the vicinity of the sanctuary. The
tents and shacks had given place to houses made of mud and stones and the habitation had
spread over the hillocks and low-lying valleys around the Ka'bah. At the outset the people
living in Makkah abstained from constructing even their housetops in a rectangular shape
like the Ka'bah since they considered it to be a sign of disrespect to the House of God, but
gradually the ideas changed; still, they kept the height of their houses lower than that of
that Ka'bah. As related by certain persons, the houses were initially made in a circular shape
as a mark of respect to the Ka'bah. The first rectangular house, reported to have been built
by Humaid Bin Zuhair, was looked upon with disfavor by the Quraysh.