Isaf and Na'ila

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Isāf and Nā'ila
)
Part of the
myth series on
Religions of the
ancient Near East
Pre-Islamic Arabian deities
Arabian deities of other Semitic origins

Isāf (

Arabic: نائلة) were two deities worshipped as a god and a goddess in pre-Islamic Arabia. They were primarily worshipped by the Quraysh
.

Attestations

Some Muslim scholars, including

well of Zamzam near the Kaaba.[1]

Isāf and Nā'ila were said to be particularly important to the Quraysh tribe, associated with Qurayshi sacrifices involving a talbiya specifically directed to Isāf.[2]

Various legends existed about the idols, including one that they were petrified after they committed adultery in the

Ibn al-Kalbi handed down the legend in his Book of Idols as follows:

They set out to perform the pilgrimage. Upon their arrival in Mecca they entered the Ka'bah. Taking advantage of the absence of anyone else and of the privacy of the Sacred House, Isaf committed adultery with her in the sanctuary. Thereupon they were transformed into stone, becoming two miskhs.[3]

According to the traditions of the Meccan local historian

Al-Safa and Al-Marwah
hills, so that the people would be warned. Over the course of time, they were then venerated as idols.

After the Muslim capture of the city in January 630, the two stone idols were destroyed.[4]

Interpretations

al-'Uzza.[2]

References

  1. ^ al-Azraqi, Akhbār Makka, pg. 49
  2. ^
    ISBN 9781316641552
    .
  3. Ibn al-Kalbi, Book of Idols
    , pg. 34
  4. ^ al-Azraqi, Akhbar Makka, pg. 50
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