Wikipédia:Oficina de tradução/Mitologia árabe

Predefinição:Mito do Crescente Fértil (árabe) Arabian mythology is the ancient, pre-Islamic beliefs of the Arab people. Prior to Islã the Caaba of Mecca was covered in symbols representing the myriad demons, djinn, demigods, or simply tribal gods and other assorted deities which represented the polytheistic culture of pre-Islamic Arabia. It has been inferred from this plurality an exceptionally broad context in which mythology could flourish. Many of the physical descriptions of the pre-Islamic gods are traced to idols, especially near the Kabba, which is asserted to have contained up to 360.

Gods

The main god in the Arabian peninsula was Hubal (em árabe: هبل), who is regarded as the most notable and chief of the gods. The Kaaba may have been dedicated to Hubal. An idol of Hubal said to have been near the Kaaba is described as shaped like a human with the right hand severed and replaced with a golden hand.

The three daughters of Hubal, and chief goddesses of Meccan Arabian mythology, were Al-lāt, Al-‘Uzzá, and Manāt. Each is associated with certain domains and had shrines with idols located near Taif which have been destroyed. Allāt (em árabe: اللات) or Al-lāt is the goddess associated with the underworld. Al-‘Uzzá (em árabe: العزى) "The Mightiest One" or "The Strong" was an Arabian fertility goddess. She was called upon for protection and victory before war. Manāt (em árabe: مناة) was the goddess of fate, the Book of Idols describes her as the most ancient of all these idols. An idol of Manāt was erected on the seashore in the vicinity of al-Mushallal in Qudayd, between Medina and Mecca. The Aws and the Khazraj, as well as the inhabitants of Medina and Mecca and their vicinities, venerated Manāt and performed sacrifices before her idol, including offering their children. Pilgrimages of some Arabs, including the Aws, Khazraj, Yathrib and others, were not considered completed until they visited Manāt and shaved their heads.

Dushara, National Museum of Damascus

Other notable gods

1. Manaf (em árabe: مناف) was a god related to women and menstruation.
2. Wadd (em árabe: ود) was a god of love and friendship. Snakes were believed to be sacred to Wadd.
3. Amm (em árabe: أم) was a moon god worshipped in ancient Catabã. He was revered as in association with the weather, especially lightning.
4. Ta'lab (em árabe: طالب) was a god worshipped in southern Arabia, particularly in Sheba and also a moon god. His oracle was consulted for advice.
5. Dhu'l-Halasa (em árabe: ذو الحلاس) was an oracular god of south Arabia. He was venerated in the form of a white stone.
6. Al-Qaum (em árabe: القوم) was the Nabataean god of war and the night, and also guardian of caravans.
7. Dushara (em árabe: ذو الشرى) was a Nabataean god, his name meaning "Lord of the Mountain"

Crenças sobrenaturais

Espíritos

Jinn (em árabe: جن) is a supernatural creature which possesses free will, and can be either good or evil. In some cases, evil genies are said to lead humans astray.

1. Marid (em árabe: مارد) Marids are often described as the most powerful type of djinn, having especially great powers. They are the most arrogant and proud as well. Like every djinn, they have free will yet could be compelled to perform chores. They also have the ability to grant wishes to mortals, but that usually requires battle, and according to some sources imprisonment, rituals, or just a great deal of flattery.
2. Ifrit (em árabe: عفريت) is a class of infernal jinn, spirits below the level of angels and devils, noted for their strength and cunning. An ifrit is an enormous winged creature of fire, either male or female, who lives underground and frequents ruins. Ifrits live in a society structured along ancient Arab tribal lines, complete with kings, tribes, and clans. They generally marry one another, but they can also marry humans. While ordinary weapons and forces have no power over them, they are susceptible to magic, which humans can use to kill them or to capture and enslave them. As with the jinn, an ifrit may be either a believer or an unbeliever, good or evil, but he is most often depicted as a wicked and ruthless being.

Monstros

1. Nasnas (em árabe: نسناس) is "half a human being; having half a head, half a body, one arm, one leg, with which it hops with much agility". It was believed to be the offspring of a demon called a Shikk and a human being.
2. Ghoul (em árabe: غول) is a desert-dwelling, shapeshifting demon that can assume the guise of an animal, especially a hyena. It lures unwary travellers into the desert wastes to slay and devour them. The creature also preys on young children, robs graves, drinks blood, and eats the dead taking on the form of the one they previously ate. Because of the latter habit, the word ghoul is sometimes used to refer to an ordinary human such as a grave robber, or to anyone who delights in the macabre.
3. Bahamut (em árabe: بهموت Bahamūt) is a vast fish that supports the earth sometimes described as having a head resembling a hippopotamus or elephant.

See also

• Ancient Semitic religion
• Babylonian mythology
• Folk religion
• Iram of the Pillars

References

• The Book of Idols (Kitāb al-Asnām) by Hishām Ibn al-Kalbī

Sources

• Gods, Demons and Symbols of Ancient Mesopotamia by Jeremy Black and Anthony Green (ISBN 0-292-70794-0)
• Karen Armstrong (2000,2002). Islam: A Short History. [S.l.: s.n.] ISBN 0-8129-6618-X 
• Borges, Jorge Luis; Margarita Guerrero, Norman Thomas di Giovanni (trans.) (2002). The Book of Imaginary Beings. London: Vintage. pp. 25–26. ISBN 0-09-944263-9