Idols (وَثَن) in Islam
Etymology and Translations
- Arabic: وَثَن (was̤an), plural: أَوْثَان (aus̤ān)
- Alternative Arabic Term: صَنَم (ṣanam), plural: أَصْنَام (aṣnām)
- Turkish: Put
Historical Context
In pre-Islamic Arabia, idolatry was prevalent. Various tribes worshipped different idols, each possessing unique attributes and forms. With the advent of Islam, the Prophet Muhammad sought to eradicate idol worship and establish monotheism centered around Allah.
Qur’anic References
The Qur’an explicitly mentions and condemns the worship of idols. Several idols are named specifically to illustrate the historical context of idolatry in Arabia.
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Al-Jibt and At-Tag̲h̲ūt:
- Sūrah An-Nisā’ (4:51): “Hast thou not observed those to whom a part of the Scriptures hath been given? They believe in al-Jibt and at-Tag̲h̲ūt, and say of the infidels, ‘These are guided in a better path than those who hold the faith.’”
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Al-Lāt, Al-‘Uzzā, and Manāt:
- Sūrah An-Najm (53:19-20): “Have ye considered al-Lāt, and al-‘Uzzā, and Manāt, the third thereof?”
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Wadd, Suwā‘, Yag̲h̲ūth, Ya‘ūq, and Nasr:
- Sūrah Nūḥ (71:23): “And they have said, ‘Ye shall surely not leave your gods: ye shall surely neither leave Wadd, nor Suwā‘, nor Yag̲h̲ūth, nor Ya‘ūq, nor Nasr.’”
Prominent Idols in Pre-Islamic Arabia
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Al-Jibt (الجبت) and At-Tag̲h̲ūt (الطَّاغُوت): Believed to be idols of the Quraysh tribe, revered by some renegade Jews to curry favor with the Meccan polytheists.
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Al-Lāt (اللات): The chief deity of the Banu Thaqif tribe at Ta’if, seen as a feminine counterpart to Allah.
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Al-‘Uzzā (العزي): Often identified with the planet Venus, worshipped under the form of an acacia tree by the Banu Ghatafan tribe.
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Manāt (مناة): A large sacrificial stone venerated by the Banu Khuzā‘ah and Banu Huẓail tribes.
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Wadd, Suwā‘, Yag̲h̲ūth, Ya‘ūq, and Nasr: Initially individuals of repute during Adam’s time, these figures were posthumously deified.
- Wadd (ود): Worshipped by Banu Kalb, symbolizing heaven in human form.
- Suwā‘ (سواع): Venerated by the Banu Hamdān tribe, represented as a female deity.
- Yag̲h̲ūth (يعوث): Adopted by the Banu Madiḥ as a lion-shaped deity.
- Ya‘ūq (يعوق): Revered by the Banu Murād tribe, depicted as a horse.
- Nasr (نسر): Worshipped by the Himyar tribe as an image of an eagle.
Other Idols and Idolatry Contexts
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Hubal (هبل): A prominent idol, possibly originating from Syria, found in the Ka‘bah as an anthropomorphic figure.
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Isāf (اساف) and Nā‘ilah (نائلة): Idols placed on Mounts Safā and Marwah, holding significance in pre-Islamic pilgrimage rituals.
- Habhah (هبحة): A venerated stone where camels were sacrificed.
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Ḥajaru ‘l-Aswad (الحجر الأسود): The Black Stone, still a significant structure in Islamic rites but stripped of its idol nature by Muhammad.
Scholarly References
To delve deeper into the subject, consider these foundational texts:
- “The Qur’an: A New Translation” by M.A.S. Abdel Haleem
- “The History of the Arabs” by Philip K. Hitti
- “Idol Worship in Pre-Islamic Arabia” by Ibn al-Kalbi
- “The Life of Muhammad” by Ibn Ishaq, translated by A. Guillaume
- “Islamic History: A Very Short Introduction” by Adam J. Silverstein
Key Takeaways
- Evolution of Monotheism: Islam’s confrontation with idolatry marked a critical transition from polytheism to monotheism.
- Qur’anic Condemnation: The Qur’an explicitly criticizes and rejects idol worship, emphasizing pure monotheistic worship.
- Historical Context: Understanding these idols provides insight into the religious landscape of pre-Islamic Arabia and the transformative impact of Islam.
Conclusion
The eradication of idol worship was a cornerstone in establishing the Islamic faith and its monotheistic essence. The references to pre-Islamic idols in the Qur’an underscore the significant religious and cultural shift that Islam introduced to the Arabian Peninsula.
