DISCOVERIN

Arabian
G

Mythology
Teacher Jasmi
 Let's Pray!
To help us gain new knowledge for this day.
Class Rules:
• If you want to speak, use the raise hand button and wait
for me to recognize you.
• Remove all of the things that might distract you during
the discussion.

• Keep quiet.

• Respect, be mindful of your words.

QUICK RECAP!
Class Objectives
At the end of the 20 minutes discussion, atleast 75% of the students
are expected to:

• Define and understand what is Arabian Mythology .

• Understand the terms Hubal, The God and Goddesses,

Supernatural beings, and Monsters in Arabian
Mythology,
• Make a reflection paper about Arabian Mythology.
Activity Time!
 Cross Word Puzzle
Instruction:

Complete the Cross-word puzzle within 3 minutes using the clues

given as a guide.
GOODLUCK!
Across
3. an imaginary creature that is typically large, ugly, and frightening.
6. the nonphysical part of a person which is the seat of emotions and character; the soul.
8. a peninsula between the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf
9. a superhuman being or spirit worshiped as having power over nature or human fortunes

Down
1. a female deity.
2. a native or inhabitant of Arabia.
3. a collection of myths, especially one belonging to a particular religious or cultural tradition.
4. the religion of the Muslims, a monotheistic faith regarded as revealed through Muhammad
as the Prophet of Allah.
5. also known as Genie
7. is a stone building at the center of Islam's most important mosque and holiest site.
Across
3. MONSTERS
6. SPIRITS
8. ARABIA
9. GOD

Down
1. GODDESS
2. ARABIANS
3. MYTHOLOGY.
4. ISLAM
5. JINN
7. KAABA
Arabian
Mythology
The Arabian peninsula is not the only place
where Arabian mythology exists. When the
peninsula combines with the Syrian Desert
and Mesopotamia, the geographical and
political boundaries of the peninsula became
unclear over the land borders to the north.

Thus, it borders and combines with

mythologies from other cultures, including
those of Syria, Egypt, Babylonia, and
Sumeria. The distinctions between the Arabs
and the Yemeni Sabaeans on the peninsula
are likewise fairly complex.
Arabian mythology comprises the ancient, pre-Islamic beliefs of the Arabs.

Arabian mythology, like many other myths, was passed down orally
through folklore that was hardly ever recorded. In certain places,
such as Jama' al-Fna in Marrakech, This is still the case. Numerous of
these mythologies feature common heroes and audacious tales of
bravery. These include "Sirat 'Antara" and "Sirat Bani Hilal," but
"Alf Laylah wa Laylah," also known as "The Thousand and One
Nights," is the most well-known folktale.
Arabian mythology comprises the ancient, pre-Islamic beliefs of the Arabs.

Prior to Islam on the Arabian Peninsula in 622, the physical centre of

Islam, the Kaaba of Mecca, was covered in symbols representing the
myriad demons, djinn, demigods and other assorted creatures which
represented the profoundly polytheistic environment of pre-Islamic
Ancient Arabia. We can infer from this plurality an exceptionally
broad context in which mythology could flourish.
 GODS
&
GODDESSES
The Father
• Hubal (Arabic:‫ )هبل‬Regarded as the chief god of gods and the most notable
one, the idol of Hubal was near the Kaaba in Mecca and was made of red
agate, and shaped like a human, but with the right hand broken off and
replaced with a golden hand.
• Hubal's idol was one of many located in the Kaaba, which Muhammad
ultimately removed and destroyed upon his conquest of Mecca.
The 3 Goddesses
Allāt (Arabic:‫لالت‬QQ‫)ا‬
 A pre-Islamic Arabian goddess worshipped
under various associations throughout the
entire Arabian Peninsula, including Mecca
where she was worshipped alongside Manat
and al-’Uzza.
 She has the power to create life and give birth,
and the Kaaba (cubic sanctuary) is sacred to
Her as the creator of the deities.
 The 3 Goddesses
Al-‘Uzzá (Arabic:‫زى‬Q‫لع‬QQ‫)ا‬
"The Mightiest One" or "The strong" was an
Arabian fertility goddess who was one of the
three chief goddesses of Mecca, Arabs only
called upon her or Hubal for protection and
victory before any war to show how
important she was.
The 3 Goddesses
Manāt (Arabic: ‫)مناة‬
Was one of the three chief goddesses of Mecca,
Arabs believed Manāt to be the goddess of fate,
The Book of Idols describes her as the most
ancient of all these idols. The Arabs used to
name [their children] 'Abd-Manāt and Zayd-
Manāt. Manāt was erected on the seashore in
the vicinity of al-Mushallal in Qudayd,
between Medina and Mecca.
 Other Notable Gods
Manaf (Arabic:‫)مناف‬
• The statue of Munaf was caressed by women, but when they had their periods they were not
allowed near it.

Wadd (Arabic: ‫)واد‬

• God of love and friendship. Snakes were believed to be sacred to Wadd.

Amm (Arabic: Q‫م‬Q‫)أ‬

• Was a moon god worshipped in ancient Qataban. He was revered as a weather god, as his
attributes included lightning bolts.

Ta'lab (Arabic:‫لب‬QQ‫)طا‬
• A god worshipped in southern Arabia, particularly in Sheba. Ta'lab was the moon god. His
oracle was consulted for advice.
 Other Notable Gods
Dhu'l-Halasa (Arabic:‫لحالس‬QQ‫)ذو ا‬
• Was an oracular god of south Arabia. He was venerated in the form of a white stone.

Al-Qaum (Arabic: Q‫وم‬Q‫لق‬QQ‫)ا‬

• Was the Nabataean god of war and the night, and also guardian of caravans.

Dushara (Arabic:‫رى‬QQ‫)ذو ش‬
• Was a Nabataean god. His name means "Lord of the Mountain"
Supernatur
al Beings
Spirits
Marid (Arabic: ‫)مارد‬
Marids are often described as the most
powerful type of jinn, having especially
great powers. They are the most arrogant
and proud as well. Like every jinn, 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.
Spirits
Ifrit (Arabic:‫ريت‬Q‫)عف‬
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.
Spirits
Jinn (Arabic:‫)جن‬
is a supernatural creature which
possesses free will, and can be either
good or evil. In some cases, evil jinn
are said to lead humans astray
Monsters
• Nasnas (Arabic:‫سناس‬QQ‫)ن‬
 "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 beinga
• Bahamut (Arabic: ‫ بهموت‬Bahamūt)
 is a vast fish that supports the earth sometimes described as having a head
resembling a hippopotamus or elephant.
Monsters
• Ghoul (Arabic: ‫)غول‬
 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. As a result 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.
Assessment: Choose the correct answer.

1. Regarded as the chief god of gods and the most notable one.
a. Allāt c. Hubal
b. Manat d. Dushara
2. Was one of the three chief goddesses of Mecca, Arabs believed that she is the
goddess of fate, The Book of Idols describes her as the most ancient of all these
idols.
a. Manāt c. Hubal
b. Allāt d. Allāt
3. They are often described as the most powerful type of jinn, having especially
great powers.
a. Nasnas c. Ifrit
b. Marid d. Jinn
 4. It was believed to be the offspring of a demon called a Shikk and a human
being.
a. Nasnas c. Ifrit
b. Bahamut d. Jinn
5. It is a vast fish that supports the earth sometimes described as having a head
resembling a hippopotamus or elephant.
a. Nasnas c. Ifrit
b. Bahamut d. Jinn

6-10.
Explain in your own words what you have learned during the discussion.
Assignment
• Look for examples of Arabian
Mythology.
• Make a summary of it.
• Prepare to tell the story that you have
chosen in front of the class in our next
meeting.
Thank You
for
listening!