Pre-Islamic Society. Because resources were scarce and the food supply was not always guaranteed, and because they were always on the move Arab nomads (Bedu, or Bedouins) developed into tightly knit family units whose allegiance was to protect and defend each other against outsiders. The survival of the group depended on each individual, and the survival of the individual depended on the collective group. Living in a seemingly changeless landscape and having meager resources on which to subsist, tribesmen became socially conservative, valuing and following the traditions of their ancestors, which were passed down from generation to generation through folktales and poetry recitals around the campfire or at festivals. The most important of these ideals and values, collectively known as muruwwa, were hospitality and courage. Hospitality was necessary because of their environment, where life sometimes depended...