دراسات في تاريخ عمان

converting the people and Christianity also spread through the Nestorian Lakhmids of al-'Iraq who enjoyed political influence over the Arab Gulf region before Islam. However، the influence of Christianity remained lim- ited in the Gulf region as it was associated with the political and military activities of the Romans and Abyssinians.

As for Judaism، it is difficult to estimate the exact period of its spread into the Gulf area. It seems، however، that the Jews came as traders and immi- grants، mainly from al-'Iraq، and distinguished themselves in commerce، finance and agriculture although they remained a small minority. The teachings and complicated rituals of Magiasm had no appeal among the Arabs. Besides، it was associated with the expansionist policy of the Sasanids. The hegemony of Islam put an end to it، and the worshipping of fire was no more heard of in the Gulf.

THE SPREAD OF ISLAM IN AL-BAHRAYN

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Al-Bahrayn is one of the regions in the Arab Gulf which accepted the Is- lamic da'wa peacefully. Early Islamic sources، as well as local Gulf his- torians describe how Islam spread in al-Bahrayn، the 'delegations' (wufud) of the tribes to Prophet Muhammad and the many letters exchanged be- tween the Prophet and a number of distinguished personalities in al- Bahrayn.

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Many differently phrased and presumably independent accounts agree that the people of al-Bahrayn were prepared for a new da'wa and ready to ac- cept a new religion." Early historians agree that the Prophet himself took the initiative and sent a letter with Al-Ala' b. al-Hadrami to Al-Mundhir 12 b. sawa al-Tamimi in Hajar calling upon him to accept Islam. Historical accounts differ on the date of this letter، but it is only natural to assume

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