The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume I — Page 59
II - Arabia & its Inhabitants 59 Goats and sheep are also found in great abundance and the wealthy possess herds upon herds. Cows and oxen also live, but buffalos do not exist in Arabia. Among wild animals, lions and cheetahs are found in certain areas. Wolves, hyenas, monkeys and jackals, etc. , are found in significant number. Moreover, deer, and in mountainous terrain, wild goats can also be found. Wild donkeys are also existent and are fondly hunted by the Arabs. In the category of birds, whilst excluding common birds, only the ostrich is worthy of mention. This is an exceedingly large bird with extended legs and runs with such speed as even horses cannot contend. Among the animals that crawl and slither, only one type of chameleon is found abundantly, though snakes, etc. , are also existent. The locust, whose meat is consumed, is found in large quantity and it causes severe damage to gardens and crops, etc. Near the coast, fish is also found and people catch it for the purpose of consumption. Mineral resources are minimal in Arabia. Moreover, valuable and conducive ores and metals are as if equal to none. Some lead and copper along with minimal amounts of silver and iron are found. Coal, sulphur and salt are also available, and gold is also found in some places. An English-man by the name of Mr. Burton also embarked on an expedition in pursuit of gold but was unable to gain success in his endeavour. Pearls are also extracted from the seashores in Baḥrain, which result in substantial commerce, and now, enormous oil reserves have also been discovered in Arabia. Territorial Division In relation to its territorial division, Arabia is divided into many parts. The more significant sections are as follows: 1. Ḥijāz: Refers to the western coastal region stretching along the Red Sea from Yemen to Syria. Makkah, Ṭā’if, Madīnah and Jeddah are the larger cities that significantly populate this area. In the era of the advent of Islām, the tribes of the Banū Kinānah, Hudhail, along with the tribes of the Hawāzin from the ‘Arab-e-Musta‘ribah 1 and some tribes of the Banū Qaḥṭān such as the Azd also resided in this region To the south of Ḥijāz, another renowned region (which to some is included within its boundaries) is an area called Tihāmah as well, which is also situated along the coast of the Red Sea. 1 The Arabia of Immigrants (Publishers)