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Idols of Pre-Islamic Arabian Era - Al-Shia The Scientific and Cultural Website of Shia belief Idols of Pre-Islamic Arabian Era 2025-02-02 5551 Views Jahiliyyah Period , Pre-Islamic Era , Idols Introduction The pre-Islamic Arabian era, often referred to as the Jahiliyyah period, was characterized by a rich but spiritually fragmented cultural landscape.

Central to this period were the numerous idols worshipped by the inhabitants of the Arabian Peninsula, reflecting their polytheistic traditions and deep-rooted tribal identities. These idols, crafted from various materials like wood, stone, or metal, were perceived as intermediaries to higher powers, symbolizing natural forces, tribal heritage, or specific deities. The Kaaba in Mecca served as a central shrine, housing 360 idols, including prominent ones such as Hubal, Al-Lat, Al-Uzza, and Manat.

Idol worship was not merely a religious practice but was deeply interwoven with social and economic life, influencing festivals, trade, and inter-tribal relations. This paper written by Yasin T. al-Jibouri [1] explores the origin, significance, and eventual decline of idol worship in Arabia, particularly under the transformative influence of Islam’s monotheistic message brought by (PBUHH).

Contents Introduction Idols in Mecca Hubal idol References Idols in Mecca The Prophet of Islam (s.a.w.a) was quoted to have said that the first person to distort the creed of Ishmael son of Abraham was one Amr ibn Luhay ibn Qam`ah ibn Khindaf. This man, according to the Prophet, installed idols and started the custom of making offerings to them as well as other pagan rituals [2] .

Hubal idol Amr ibn Luhay went out of Mecca to the Sham (the present-day Syria but which at the time, incorporated Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine). When he came to Mab of the Balqa area, which was then inhabited by the “Amaleeq,” descendants of `Imlaq (or `Imleeq) son of Lawdh son of Sam son of Noah, he saw them worshipping idols.

He said to them, “What are these idols which I see you worshipping?” They told him that they were worshipping them because whenever they pleaded to them to let the rain fall, they responded, and whenever they sought victory over their foes, they obliged. Amr said to them, “Could you please give me an idol so I may take it to the land of the Arabs to worship it?” They gave him an idol called Hubal, a huge idol in the shape of a man.

It was given to Amr by the Moabites of Syria, and it became Mecca’s chief idol.