Waṯani Religion: Lesser Deities

Assalamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

These are some lists of the Arab deities worshiped by Arabs around Arabian Peninsula... They are mentioned within Classical Arabic literature and in hadiths but not mentioned in the Glorious Quran.

Lesser Deities

Manaf

Worshiped by women, however, they would have to avoid the vicinity of the shrine when they were in menstruation. Polytheist Quraish also named their sons as Abd al-Manaf or the servant of Manaf especially those among the Huḏail clan. Manaf means the Height or a higher place.

Dhu al-Khalāṣ

Represented by an idol in the shape of a white fire stone and carved with a crown. Venerated by the bani Daws, bani Khats'am and bani Bujailah, in Yemen and in Tabalah in between Mecca and Medina. The servants of this deity were among the bani 'Umamah from Bahilah bin A'shar. 

Dhu al-Shara

A kind of black stone worshiped by the Ishmaelites among the clans of Nebayot and Duma, who respectively were the descendants of Ishmael's eldest and sixth sons. It was considered as "a child of a maiden" and the god of fertility. Another name of this deity was Dusares or Dhu Shura. The bani al-Harit also possess the idol of this deity within their living place.  

Dhu al-Kaffayn

The deity worshiped by the Daws tribe, and the idol was kept by Amr bin Hamamah. It means "he who has two palms" and was destroyed by Tofayl bin Amr who is a Muslim from Daws tribe.

Al-Fals

An idol in the form of man made from red stone in the middle of Aja Mountain. The servants of the idol was Bawlanites, Bawlan was the person who began to worship this deity. The last Bawlanite who worship this deity was known as Sayfi. 

Al-Ya'bub

The deity of Jadilites located in Thayyi. Before this deity, they worshiped another deity but their idol was stolen by the Asadites. So, they adopted al-Ya'bub as the substitution.

Asaph Naylah

Asaph bin Ya'ala and Naylah bint Zayd were a legendary figures. They were a couple of lovers from Yemen. They performed the pilgrimage in Mecca. While they arrived in Mecca, they entered the Cubicle Shrine structure and took the chance to commit adultery in the structure when no one was there. They were cursed to be two stones. They were brought out from the structure and taken home. These idols were worshiped by the Khuza'a tribe and the Quraish. Those who perform pilgrimage to the shrine also venerated them with different names given to them as according to the customs happened at that time, between the Ishmaelites and other clan such as Hudhail bin Mudrikah.  

Al-Toraiya

A deity considered as the god of rain. It means "an abundant".

Jadd

A deity venerated by the Semites, the name was taken from the Nabath inscription mentioned as Gadda.

Kuthrā

A god of fortune. Used as the name of sons by the Thai who were the descendant of Abd Kuthrā. 

Awf

An enermous bird god.

Quzah

God of thunder, using his bow and arrow to create lightning.  

Duwar

An idol which was circled round by young women during the ritual and procession.

Ri'am 

An idol in the form of a shrine located in Sana'a possessed by the clan of Rabi'a descendants of Ka'ab bin Sa'ad bin Zaid and Manat bin Tamim.  

Al-Ka'abat

The idol served by the descendants of Bakr bin Wail and Taghib bin Wail, and the Iyadites in Sandad.

Sa'ad

Served by the Kinanites, who were the children of Bakr, Malik and Mulkan bin Kinanah. The idol was in the form of a long stone located at Jeddah.

Shams

The idol served by a tribe in 'Odhrah. People used to name their child with the name Abd Shams or the servant of the Sun. 

'Amm-Anas

The idol served by Khawlanites. Another name for this idol was 'Omyanis.

Al-Oqaysir

Served by Qudi'ites, Lakhmides, Judhamites, 'Amilites and the Ghatafanides, located at an area in a mountain in Syria. 

Nuhm

Served by Muzaynites, and they named their sons as Abd Nuhm. The maintenance of the idol was done by Khuza'i bin Abd Nuhm.  

Su'ayr

Located at the area of Anazites.

Dhu al-Rijl

Which means "he who posses two legs". 

Al-Qalas

An idol served by the Thayyi'ites demolished by the battalion led by Ali bin Abi Talib. It was worshiped by the Himyarites in Sana'a too. 

Al-Qays

Mentioned in the inscription of Nabath from al-Hijr. 

Shai' al-Qawm

Mentioned in Nabath and Palmyrean inscriptions, considered as the god of war, the night, and the patron of the caravans. It was nicknamed as the "god who avoids wine". 

The deities such as Dhu al-Khalas, Dhu al-Shara, Dhu al-Kaffayn and Dhu al-Rijl usually was named as according to the geographical location of the idols. 

Worship of Food

Well, this is about the Arabs who worshiped the dates and later they eat them after the food could not grant them their wishes. The worship was done by the Hanifah clan. They made an idol of dates which is mixed with the ghee. They worshiped it for some times, and when they encountered unfortunate incident, the god will be considered as a failure. They would eat some part the "god", and some part would also be offered to other deities placed in the holy sanctuary. When they feel hungry, they would also eat the god since the god cannot take care of his needs. Umar al-Khattab r.a was one of those who commit this kind of act before he becomes a Muslim.  

"Ali al-Qari said, 'The meaning of keep bouncing the poem is that the poem consists of monotheism, reminder for obedience and the warning to stay away from vices just like the poem of Ibnu Rawahah'. He said, 'And among the ignorant matters told to me was that some of them mentioned, 'No idol could give benefits except my idol!' Then others would ask, 'Why?' He said, 'I made it out of bread. When I am deprived due to drought, I would eat my idol little by little'. Others said, 'There were two fox climbing on the head of my idol and they peed on it!' So I said, 'How could the head of a venerated idol being peed by animals?' So I came to you, o noble prophet Muhammad s.a.w and I wanted to be a Muslim!' Everyone who listened to the story laughed and the noble prophet Muhammad s.a.w grinned a little" (Mirqat al-Mafatih, 14/17). 

Sealed with prayers for mercy, peace and love, amin!

Discussion about Barzakh: Soul Returning to Body

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

The question about the condition of carcass or a dead body in the grave whether it could see what happens in the living world has the basis from the report of our mother, Aishah r.a and others.

Regarding the question on whether a deceased soul returning to its body or hovering on its grave while listening or seeing something in the living world or other times? It says that the soul returns to its body while listening or seeing something according to times. This is mentioned in hadiths.

The soul is in contact with its body though already leaving the body at any time or pace where He Wills it to happen. Although it is only for few moments like the angels descend to the world or the light of the sun reaching the earth or like a person who gain his consciousness and rising up from his sleep for few seconds and sleep again.  

Some evidences show that souls and spirits are hovering over their graves. Says Mujahid: "The souls are at their graveyard (close to its material body) for seven days beginning from the day he passed away and buried. It's sometimes close to its physical body and sometimes away. 

Anas bin Malik r.a says: "I was told that those (departed) souls or spirits could move anywhere they wanted to and the God knows more than His creatures." (Majmu' Fatawa chap 23 pg. 362)

Ibnu Taimiyyah mentions in his book: "Whilst the question about what has been told by the God about the life of the martyrs in the Barzakh, they are given the sustenance and it is also mentioned in valid hadiths that the souls of the martyrs will be entered into the paradise."  

Thus, many opinions from scholars stating that this matter or state mentioned by Ibnu Taimiyyah in his kitaab is specific to the martyrs. It is not referring to Ahlus-Siddiqeen or the people of righteousness and others. Other valid opinion such as what stated in the Sunnah and Ibnu Taimiyyah is not only specific to the martyrs but also to others. The martyrs were specifically mentioned in the Quran as there were assumptions that a person would die when defending himself from being bullied and oppressed by others who worship materials and believe not in freedom of others. So, he would back off and letting himself to be sunken under oppressions. So, the God mentions this specifically in Revelation for a believer to protect himself from being bullied by those who were deflected from worshiping Him alone. It is also the same with the prohibition to kill innocent children because of the fear for being poor. It is the fact that many people would also kill their children, adolescence and fetus even when killing them is prohibited! (Majmu' Fatawa chap. 24 pg. 332).

Soul of Martyrs

When we talk about this issue of martyrdom, I am sure many would associate this to violence because it is rampant in Western world as if Western world is so holy, saintly human-being, civilized over others (in term of arrogance) and never waging war to others. But in history, these kind of things had already happened. It is not unique only to people in modern time like today who have to defend themselves but also in the antiquity such as in Bar Kochba Rebellion (132-136 CE) where those Judeans were suppressed by pagan Romans in Judea before the rise of noble prophet Muhammad s.a.w. 

Martyrs also refer to those who were brutally killed because of their faith such as the parents of Amr bin Yasser which is one of the companion of noble prophet Muhammad s.a.w. It happened in Meccan period when the light began to rise up again. Amr's father is Yassir bin Amir and his mother is Sumayya bint Khayyat. We always recite prayers for their souls. 

In narrations that I listened from elders and teachers while I was a little Muslim boy, these figures were among those who were mentioned to my ears. Both of these martyrs were slaves to a rich idolater. But now, I am amazed to Sumayya because she is a woman and she had to bear brutal torments of influential man in the society of the particular period because of her faith to the God through the prophethood of Muhammad s.a.w. She just died without EU intervention regarding human rights nor media coverage nor receiving sympathy from Civilized Western world or other 'human-being'. 

Those who killed Sumayyah and her husband were non-Muslims but idolaters. Their house were burn, they were stricken with hot iron-rod, their eyes were poked out, and other brutal torments to force them to leave their faith toward the God and His messenger, Muhammad s.a.w. Nobody in Orientalism mention and herald this aloud to the world, right. I feel so sick when I read and watching figures such as Hirsi Ayan Ali and others like her. She and these people are so cheap in term of materialism comfort. They will get what they want but it will never satisfy them forever because they have no soul and spirit. What is so amazing with Western Civilization???! I see emptiness and no-spiritualism. I am more amazed to those in Himalayan range of mountains compared to those in Europe or the United States. They are not rich but they don't have to fear the death because there is nothing to be left behind (houses, nice food, properties and estate, children, position as leaders, praises from fellow creatures and etc).

Sealed with prayers for mercy, peace, and love, amin! 

Arabian Spring: Global Implications Part 1

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah!

 

Arabian Spring, Ramadan Fannoos - Sameer ar-Ramahi

What is called "Arab Spring" concern very different cases and realities but have in common that it expresses protests against despotic powers, and a call for social justice. None of these insurrections started by referring to al-Qaeda and it aims which in itself is the expression of an apparent fiasco for radical Islamists. But where are going those experiences? What social and political reform can they bring? How deep is the shift? Can some sort of democratic change emerge? Jom tengok apa orang ni perkatakan.  

I listened to a talk by Dr. Gerard Chaliand at the Center for Policy Research and International Studies (CenPRIS) in the university in Friday 30th of Sept. It is not intended but before Friday sermon took place, the mosque administration had heralded the information about this talk at 15:30 and it ended at 16:59 with few questions. Let us see how Western academician think. This guy is not siding anyone, but he sometimes talk like an American. That is normal, everybody is like him so I don't really feel anything offensive in his talk. Only certain parts spark up my thought. That's all.

Honestly speaking, I don't understand what Dr. Chaliand trying to deliver in his talk but I tried to understand it anyway. It's a talk so I guess it is not a structured one but merely a summary of what he did in his research. From what he delivered, it is about Arabian Revolution and he gave some background about Middle Eastern region. It didn't bother me at all since after the changing of our prime ministers. I had not really take any notice about whatever happened around the world nor buying anything heralded in the news papers. 

So, now I have problem to digest whatever is proposed by theories in International Studies. Basically it is a study established by modern Western scholars regarding the politics of the world. I had forgotten great deals about that studies but I think it is also important for a Muslim to understand how people think.

Last time, weren't those Westerners such as Ignatius Goldziher (Ishaq Yahuda) trying to understand what are ideologies and belief of people in the East and gave names to our holy prophet Muhammad s.a.w with their ugly tongue. I don't consider that Orientalist guy a Musawwi (follower of Moses). He thinks himself as a European while Hebrews are not European. Such bias person is a disgrace to Moses a.s and all of Israelite prophets. His foundation of Islamic Studies in Europe does not attract me at all but I read a great deal about Orientalism. They love enmity so much, so they will get enmity. It will stiffen their heart, and they are just being cruel to themselves. I'm also opposing Muslims who tried to learn something in the surface about other faith, and later trying to frame others. This is what Goldziher had done last time. We are people with dignity. We are not the same with that kind of person. So, just devote ourselves to the God, the development of nation, spreading love and peace to every creature through His Mercy. We propagate His Love through hikmah (widsom), akhlak (morality), muru-ah (dignity) and manner, inshaallah. So, as to say, we Muslim must also equip ourselves with other knowledge, not only the knowledge of science and technology. Science has a very broad meaning. Do not think that by being an engineer, you'll stay in a comfortable office.  

Jangan pikir lah contohnya bahawa kalau kita menjadi seorang jurutera, doktor, sebagainya itu kita akan duduk di atas kerusi yang empuk bilik berhawa dingin. Ini antara penyebab dulu-dulu ramai pelajar aliran agama berasa rendah diri terhadap kawan-kawan dari aliran sains kerana kita pernah dimomokkan mengenai kejayaan dalam bidang sains dan teknologi. Pelajar aliran agama atau madrasah semua akan memarut kelapa di kampung-kampung. Tidak, saudara-saudari saya. Nasib semua orang tidak lah sama. Makanya sebarang kesempatan yang lalu di depan saudara-saudara tidak mengira apa jenisnya maka saudara-saudari ambil sahaja sambil bersyukur kepada Allah Azza wa Jalla. Jangan dengar cakap-cakap orang sahaja. Jalankanlah kajian atas segala perkara, pikir dan pertimbangkan, ambil tindakan. Saya pun tidak lah menyukai pengajian politik akan tetapi saya dapat melihat beberapa manfaatnya walaupun tidak lah semua. Sekurangnya kita tidak bercakap mengenai sesuatu hal yang berlaku dalam dunia seperti perbincangan di meja kedai kopi sahaja.

When I arrived at the meeting room, the talk had already began for about 20 minutes since I took the bus and performed ghusl for 'asr prayer service that to come. So, I could only remember and jot down whatever he delivered after I sat down. He talked about revolution in the Middle Easts, and I only could heard about Khomenei Revolution in Iran about 1979. It was said as a turning point and the end of social revolution in the Middle East. The collapse of pan-Arabism and the defeat of Egypt under Mr. Gamal Abdel Nasser. This issue about the radicalization of Islam.  

Hurmm, saya tak berkenan lah sebutan mengenai Islam sebagai satu ajaran melampau or any notion whether there is a radicalize Islam or not but for these political analysts, it possibly could be radicalized and used by people who aim worldly matters but coating it with religious terms and the result is everybody get the impact. They divide life with religion but in the East, religions no matter Islam, Christianity, or Hindu-Buddhism are all the center of life. Evil or sincere people perhaps being branded together. The East perceive things differently from them and there are many kind of Easterners. I do not know if it is hard for them to think out of their way of thinking but their way of thinking could be seen around the world. For me, personally, Islam itself is life, it is the divine law of nature and guide to the hereafter which the atheists and hedonists believe as the death cult (hereafter). They are afraid of the death so that is their problem, don't impose their paranoia to others. I do not want any worldly matters but only using them to bridge me to hereafter. I don't even live like a normal person. However, I don't care about others who do not believe in the God. They can live all they want.

It is said that radicalization of Islam is largely supported by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The KSA pays a lot for new madrasas ranging from sub-Sahara to Indonesia. Then after the collapse of the US in Central Asia, the KSA became the agent of transformation. In 1979 too, the USSR invaded Afghanistan so it opens up the opportunities for the Wahhabists, the self-proclaim champion of Sunnis to get involved. They also trying to find opportunity to counter the Iranian or Persian Shi'ites. The US recompense their defeat to Soviet in Vietnam 1975 war. Pakistan sort of turning for radical Islam under Zia-ul-Haqq, and there is a contest between India and Pakistan which still goes on until now. So, terrorism is not only confined to the Arab world but terrorism is worldwide where we can see it in Pakistan and Indonesia. Indonesia in South East Asia is very important in term of economy though indirectly participated in it.

The world was blocked because of the Palestine-Israel issue and the radicalization of Islam among others led by the al-Qaeda or formally led by the Ikhwanul Muslimin. North Africa was under dictatorship for three to four decades and there are corruptions where it needs justification while preventing the country from radical Islam and some dictators were supported by the West. Mr. Sadat in Egypt who made compromise for peace with Israel was shot dead by radical Muslim around 1970s. So, it really begins in the mid 1970s until today. And the achievement of this wing of particular radical Islamism.

What do these radical Islamists want? Is it because they want to return to caliphate? Reconstitute the ummah (religious society) against nation state which was the creation of colonial period? Or because they are trying to get back their lost might? Is it the same thing of the Chinese civilization might? By the end of 19th century, the Chinese had already produced one third of world production and they are economically very strong. Their period of humiliation nowadays had already finished, according to Dr. Chaliand. The Indians restored their victory in 1947, where the power to rule was given by British lord to the Hindus. India was previously ruled by Muslims under Moghul dynasty.

Khomenei also posed up threats not only to the West but also to the Sunnis. Saddam Hussein contained Shi'ism. In the beginning of this century, the result and the trauma of 9/11 was unbearable and only Americans can understand that. Yang lain-lain peperangan dan kemusnahan dalam dunia ni tak ada trauma kah kepada orang ramai selain rakyat Amerika Serikat? At one point, the US was invaded by the French, and suddenly their symbol which is the World Trade Center (WTC) was also being hit. Now everything turning to be normal again, business runs as always.

The Great Middle East extending from Morocco to Afghanistan. The expedition to Afghanistan was short though very indecisive. Only Kabul was secured and the agenda was to finish the unfinished war in Iraq. In Iraq, 60% of Shi'ites, 20% of Kurds, and other were dominated. It is noticed that Ahmad Chalabi is a Shi'ite. After the army was dismissed, around 500 people returned home without any pain. Whoever involved in Baath party are not involved in administration anymore just like in Russia where Communists were not given any place in it. What counts is talk. What pushed Sunnis into warfare? Most of all is the need to find people's need. The need for money, sanctuary, weaponry, local support, and foreign assistance. However, this is not in the case of Iraq. They have everything. Sunni is not just a religious sect but they are ruling groups. I personally had read some news too that in 17th C, some Sunni rulers in Lebanon had baptized themselves into Syriac Maronite Christianity because they were not supported by Druze and Shi'ite population in their area. Sometimes, people use religion only for their worldly affairs and it is a sad thing.

During the British mandate, Middle East area was under Ottoman empire. There is also the thought that the US invasion in Iraq made it being controlled by the Shi'ites and Kurds whom are not Arabs. Try to understand Sunni's side. Sometimes, problem is not solved by coming to power. There is a search for fact in the province of Anbar where Sunni tribes were organized, trained, and were crushed locals. The al-Qaeda tries to recruit people through the notion of being real Muslims. Saddam Hussein was not religious. The war between Iraq and the US was a chosen war and there are collateral damage. The propaganda said that the US should back up North Africans as they are allies of the West and most of all, against Islamists. The West hoping that no states supporting al-Qaeda.

Al-Qaeda on the other hand can't stabilize any of states, it costs them lots of money as there will be nuisance at the airport and security from terrorism. Mind too that people are not only killed but there would be also chaos. Mr. Bush had also involved in terrorism and for sure he can't fight something which moves underground. Apart of that, Bin Laden, Zawahari, and others fled to Afghanistan. The result is modest, and the North being considerate. The prove that al-Qaeda has failed never jeopardize the establishment of Arab Spring.

Arab Spring or Revolution in the Arab World happened due to social injustice. There are movements to obstruct leaders and dictators. Arab Revolution is important as it marks the dawn of 30-40 years of dictatorship by youngsters. Taken into account that 20% of people in Middle East are below 25 years old. So, it's not just elderly live under fear for the last few decades. People there knows what is going on. It is viewed as urban rising. People in the urban area are knowledgeable and it is not rural uprising. When people in the neighboring country see, they began to think. The same thing happened to French colonial master during the French Revolution. Countries such as Bahrain, Yemen, Syria, Egypt, and Libya are all different from one another.

Bahrain for example has a majority of Shi'ite citizen while the rulers are Sunnis. Yemen, particularly the Northern Yemen with her tribal society. They are of warrior society so, they are very far from unity. There are some evidence of protests in Syria, and people were killed. However, there is no embargo nor invasion as it is highly probable that it could be the cause for Sunnis to prevail and the West does not want it. Israel does not want it too. This is however not a judgement but about the balance of force. Libya has not been humanitarian for long. They do not respect the United Nation (UN) mandate and they never collaborate. So, what is going to happen in the future? No crystal ball in the talk. It is necessary to find set backs as not easy to get some kind of democracy and bring growth. When a certain regime seized power, they must bring growth. Social justice must be balanced by the economic growth for everyone.

The army in Egypt were not really army. They will never let their country out of the way that they do not want. Governments don't want to go left or could being said as social. The best situation for Dr. Chaliand is in Tunisia despite of the fact of dictatorship.

When the war happened in Afghanistan and after the invasion of the USSR in 1980, the demography is very important. The economic growth is related. What can be seen here is that Egypt is turning back. While for Turkey, they are growing better. They know diplomacy, state tradition, and never buy European Union (EU) view on them where EU thinks that Turkey could channel Middle East and instability to the continent. Turkish have their own perception. Their influence extend as far as Xinjiang in Western China. They are also their consulate for the Kurds. They would have been followed by other leaders especially of Islamic faith if they wanted to follow Turkey.

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