Pre-Islamic Arabia"Stone is the necessary and most characteristic symbol of Arabian
sanctuaries." The worshipers tried to touch or kiss stones and
circumambulated them (Buhl, Muhammeds, pp. 74 f, 82). The milk of
sheep or the blood of a sacrificial animal was poured over the stone, and in
the case of the victim, its flesh was eaten by participants; see Buhl,
Muhammeds, pp. 84 f. Cf. Sahih Bukhari, vol. 5, p. 467, for a brief
description of stone worship and circumambulation.
[33] "Clothing, weapons or jewelry" were often hung on trees and
sacrifices were offered; Buhl, Muhammeds, pp. 78 f; Wellhausen, Reste, p.
- This is still practiced in some regions; Guillaume, Islam, p. 9;
Muhammad, pp. 568 f.
[34] Guillaume also shows that there were (and still are) cults related to
water wells and springs; Islam, pp. 8 f; which along with stones and trees,
are somewhat of a rarity in some desert areas.
[35] There were many Arab gods and goddesses, the evidences of whose
worship were rather systematically destroyed by the first generations of
Arab Muslims. Those listed here are mentioned in the Qur'an and major
Islamic traditions:
Wadd - ("Love," "Friendship") was worshiped by tribes in central and
northern Arabia, but especially by the Kalb at Duma. Wellhausen, Reste,
pp. 17 f; Buhl, Muhammeds, p. 74; Sahih Bukhari, vol. 6, p. 414; Rudolph,
Koran, p. 527, n. 4.
Suwa'- (meaning disputed) was a goddess worshiped by the Hudhayl
near Mecca or Yanbu`. Wellhausen, Reste, pp. 18-19; Sahih Bukhari, vol.
6, p. 414; Rudolph, Koran, p. 527, n. 4.
Yaghuth - ("He helps") was worshiped by the Murad and then the Banu
Ghutayf near Yemen. Wellhausen, Reste, pp. 19 f, Sahih Bukhari, vol. 6,
p. 414; Rudolph, Koran, p. 527, n. 4.