Al-Tā’if in the Pre-Islamic Period

This article’s aim is to provide much needed data about the political, economic, social, and religious life of al-Tā’if, which is one of the three most prominent cities of al-Hidjāz, in the pre-Islamic period. Al-Tā’if has always yielded a strategically important place in al-Hidjāz due to its geographical location, agricultural production, commercial significance and it being located in the junction of important routes. Moreover, it also presented a gateway to al-Haramayn from the east. Even though al-Tā’if was dominated by hot desert climate and despite having severe winter conditions, it was appreciated by the notables of Mecca due to its pleasant weather in the summer, and since the historical period, this city has been a summer resort until the present day. There are various reports about whe