The Founding Role of the Qur'an in the Early Perception of Geography

Abstract

The main subject of our study is the exemplary Qur'anic verses that contain geographical information and some geographical content in the distinguished collection of seven (or ten) poets in the Jahiliyyah period, also known as the muallaqat. Indeed, in the context of the close relationship between geography and literature, literary texts also provide evidence of how people in the past and different cultures perceived reality.<br /> Our research aims to show that the Qur'anic text reflects the geographical perception of the period through both the relevant verses and the Jahiliyyah poetry. In this context, furthermore, our aim is to try to show the reflections of the verses containing geographical information with laconic and directive expressions in poetry texts with high literary value. The Qur'an has taken into account the human being and the environmental factors that make him "himself" from the beginning to the end; both addressed the geographical imagination of the ancient Arabs from their language/culture in verses and directed them to think about this issue.<br /> Our study derives its importance from these points. Because the Qur'an did not use the geographical imagination of the ancient Arabs only to give information, but to show the power, might, and authority of Allah and to use arguments such as the necessity of worshipping only to Him. In other words, it aimed to build a new perception of geography in Muslims. The Qur'an was not contented with this purpose only but also encouraged the believers to always think about geography.<br /> As an example, the functions of the mountains, water sources, and plants in the creation of the earth mentioned in S & umacr;rat ar-Rahman have enabled people to have more knowledge about the natural environment. As a result, the geographical information in the Qur'an has shaped people's perception of geography and enabled them to have more knowledge about the natural environment.<br /> We can give other examples in this context. In terms of its current value, people are still curious about the location of any garden in the world where Adam descended from paradise or where he was expelled because of his approaching the forbidden tree that he should not approach after living in a comfortable environment like paradise, and they even produce information about this place. Similarly, human beings have always been curious about where the Prophet Noah's ship landed, where the cave of Ashab-i Kahf is located, where the sun rises and sets, where the Prophet Zulqarnayn traveled, etc., and they have always been curious, produced information, and even did not refrain from obtaining information on these issues even from the Israiliyyat.<br /> On the other hand, Jahiliyyah poetry offers a rich and detailed view of the geography of the Arabian Peninsula. Along with the natural beauties of the geography, the poets also gave information about how it affected people's lives. In addition, the poets also showed in their poems how the difficulties presented by nature affected people's lives. In addition, the poets also gave clues about how the harsh natural conditions of the geography affected life in the Arabian Peninsula. For example, the poets often described the conditions and temperatures of the desert in their poems and showed the difficulties and beauties of nature and how they affected people's lives. For example, al-Haris b. Hilliza likened the enemy army, which was quite large, and the anxiety he felt towards them to the calamity sent to the black lofty mountains whose summits split the clouds. <br /> The primary source of our study is the Qur'an, especially the verses containing geographical information and the related content in the parables. Our secondary source is the Jahiliyyah poetry, especially the geographical content in the muallaqat. Modern sources are also included to show the contemporary value of the issue.<br /> We have limited our study to the perception of geography in early Islamic culture, especially between I.-IV. H. In this context, our research has examined mainly the relevant Qur'anic verses and the muallakat from Jahiliyyah poetry.<br /> In our study, the methods of comparison, literature review (sounding), induction, deduction, analysis, and synthesis were employed.