ʿAtīrah (عتيرة)
Definition and Historical Context
ʿAtīrah (Arabic: عتيرة) refers to a specific sacrificial practice among idolatrous Arabs during the pre-Islamic period. This ritual involved offering a sacrifice, typically a sheep or goat, during the month of Rajab, one of the sacred months in the Arab calendar. The term ʿAtīrah is also recorded in earlier texts and signifies a customary ritual among the Arabs before the advent of Islam.
Etymology
The word ʿAtīrah is derived from the Arabic root ع ت ر (ʿayn-ta-ra), which relates to the act of sacrificing or offering. In Turkish, this might be transliterated similarly as ʿAtīrah (عتيرة).
Islamic Perspective
The practice of ʿAtīrah was initially sanctioned by the Prophet Muhammad at the beginning of his mission to make certain concessions for the newly converted community who were transitioning from their old customs to Islamic practices. This period is known for its gradual integration of Islamic precepts while tolerating certain pre-Islamic traditions that did not directly contradict the new faith.
However, as Islamic teachings became more established, the Prophet Muhammad explicitly abolished the practice of ʿAtīrah. This abolition is documented in Hadith literature, notably in the Mishkāt al-Maṣābīḥ (a collection of Hadiths), particularly in Book iv, chapter 50, where the Prophet is reported to have declared: “Let there be no Faraʿ nor ʿAtīrah”. The term Faraʿ refers to another pre-Islamic sacrificial practice. The hadith implies a clear break from such older customs to establish a purer form of monotheistic worship free from pre-Islamic polytheistic rites.
Significance
The abolishment of ʿAtīrah underscores the transition from pre-Islamic practices to a more defined Islamic identity, prescribing the way Muslims should perform rituals and worship. This reflects the broader efforts of early Islamic leadership to distinguish Islamic practices from those of surrounding cultures and to solidify monotheistic principles.
Books for Further Studies
- “The Life of Muhammad” by Ibn Ishaq - Translated by Alfred Guillaume
- “Islam and the Arabs before the Messenger” by Shaukat Ali
- “The Religion of Islam” by Maulana Muhammad Ali
- “Islamic Spirituality: Foundations” edited by Seyyed Hossein Nasr
Takeaways and Conclusion
The term ʿAtīrah (عتيرة) provides valuable insight into the process of religious and cultural shifts in early Islamic history. Understanding the transition from pre-Islamic sacrificial practices to an exclusive monotheistic worship helps contextualize broader changes during the formative period of Islam. The evolution of religious rites from the time of Prophet Muhammad marks an important step in establishing an Islamic identity distinct from earlier customs.
Key Points:
- ʿAtīrah: Pre-Islamic sacrificial practice in the month of Rajab.
- Initial Permittance and Later Abolishment: Initially permitted by the Prophet Muhammad and later abolished to establish pure monotheistic practices.
- Cultural and Religious Shift: Reflects the transition from polytheism to monotheism in Islamic history.
In conclusion, the abolishment of ʿAtīrah demonstrates the dynamism within early Islam to reformulate and solidify its religious practices in opposition to older traditions, consequently establishing a distinctly Islamic ritualistic identity.
