Manat: Pre-Islamic Goddess of Fate
Manat was one of three pre-Islamic goddesses worshiped in the Kaaba in Mecca before the rise of Islam. She was revered as the Goddess of Fate.
Etymology and Translation
- Etymology: Derived from Arabic, Manāt (مَنَاة)
- Arabic Translation: مناة (Manāt)
- Turkish Translation: Manat
Description and Historical Context
Manat was known in pre-Islamic Arabian religion as the goddess who controlled fate and destiny. In tradition, she was often identified as one of the daughters of Allah, resulting from God’s supposed marriage to a jinn (a supernatural being).
Her idol stood alongside those of other major pre-Islamic deities at the Kaaba, the sacred sanctuary in Mecca. The reverence for Manat was such that her cult extended beyond Mecca to other significant Arab locations, including Medina and other parts of the Arabian Peninsula.
Denouncement in the Quran
Manat is explicitly denounced in the Qur’an, Surah An-Najm (53:19–20), where the three goddesses (Al-Lat, Al-‘Uzza, and Manat) are discussed and dismissed as mere names invented by their ancestors without divine warrant:
<p>“So have you considered Al-Lat and Al-‘Uzza? And Manat, the third - the other?” (Quran 53:19-20)</p>
Destruction of the Idol
Manat’s idol, along with other pagan artifacts, was destroyed in 630 CE when the Prophet Muhammad and his followers conquered Mecca. This act was part of broader efforts to purify the Kaaba and reaffirm monotheism by eliminating idol worship and polytheistic practices.
Suggested Books for Further Study
- “The Arabian Nights in Historical Context: Between East and West” by Saree Makdisi and Felicity Nussbaum
- “Islam: The Straight Path” by John L. Esposito
- “The Qur’an: An Encyclopedia” edited by Oliver Leaman
- “The Hajj: The Muslim Pilgrimage to Mecca and the Holy Places” by F.E. Peters
Takeaways
- Polytheism in Pre-Islamic Arabia: Manat exemplifies the rich tapestry of polytheistic beliefs and practices prevalent in pre-Islamic Arabian society.
- Transformative Impact of Islam: The destruction of Manat’s idol underscores the profound changes Islam effected within Arabian religious and cultural landscapes.
- Qur’anic Critique: The mention of Manat in the Quran highlights the text’s role in confronting and abolishing pre-Islamic idolatry.
Conclusion
Manat serves as a symbolic reminder of the spiritual transformation that occurred with the advent of Islam. Where she once stood as a representative of fate and polytheism within the Kaaba, her rejection and the subsequent embrace of monotheism marked a significant shift in the religious life of Arabian society. Through rigorous scholarship and historical analysis, one can discern the intricate interplay between pre-Islamic traditions and the emergent Islamic worldview, rendering Manat a critical subject of study in the context of early Islamic history.
This dictionary entry combines etymology, historical context, religious critique, and scholarly references to offer a thorough understanding of the deity Manat within pre-Islamic and Islamic paradigms.
