Who Was Allah Before Islam?

Comments · 6.5K

• RE

  @ReligionForBreakfast · 5 months ago · pinned

  We’re doing a guided read of Attar’s Conference of the Birds. Join us here: <a href="https://www.religiondepartment.com/conferenceofthebirds">https://www.religiondepartment.com/conferenceofthebirds</a>

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• KA

  @KashiiGem · 5 months ago

  It reminds me few verses where Allah is refering to Pagans; &quot;you call me when you are in difficult situations, but forget me when got releif&quot;.

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• CH

  @ChrisRowe · 5 months ago (edited)

  Seems to me that pre-Islam, Allah was too vast a concept as the Supreme creator God and that people preferred to worship more relatable lower Deities, in the same way as in Hinduism al gods are manifestations of Brahman, or in the way Catholics invoke saints more often than God itself. By finallly ending the localised worship of many intercessary deities, the Prophet could unify the Arabs around a more direct worship of Allah

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• LI

  @lincolnfleetwood2508 · 5 months ago (edited)

  some of the most information dense content i’ve found on the internet. thank you for getting to the point and not dancing around.

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• LO

  @localangrydad2590 · 4 months ago

  It almost feels like, with how highly described he was, pre-islamic allah wasn&apos;t prayed or reached out to as often due to how high status he was. He likely felt far too important to pray to in every other case and was used only in the rarest most needed prayers, while lesser more relateable &quot;gods&quot; were used more commonly in prayers due to them being understood easier.<br>What an incredible concept this entire breakdown was.

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• SH

  @shrimpbisque · 5 months ago

  I&apos;d be interested to see you do a video on the etymology of the word &quot;god&quot;.

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• LI

  @liamcassidy5992 · 5 months ago

  Is it possible that Allah was more rarely venerated precisely because of his high standing? Imagine that in your religion there is a highest of gods who you might not want to bother with every day prayers, but who could be called on in times of dire need (like searching for water in the middle of the desert)

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• AY

  @ayhaykoykey · 5 months ago

  There were a group of people know as the &quot;Hanif&quot; or monotheists who existed in pre Islamic Arabia. Would be an interesting topic for a video.

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• ME

  @megabigblur · 5 months ago

  This is the part they don&apos;t tell you when you&apos;re growing up in a conservative country like Malaysia.. all we learn about pre-Islamic Arabia is that it was the &quot;zaman jahiliyah&quot; (age of ignorance) like it was some kind of Mad Max anarchy and barbarism. And yes that is the public school curriculum that you have to pass even if you&apos;re not Muslim.

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• MA

  @mahfuzurrahmanhowlader3240 · 5 months ago (edited)

  Quran also says in Surah Yunus ayat 22-23, “...They supplicate Allah, sincere to Him in religion, [saying] ‘If You should save us from this, we will surely be among the thankful.’ But when He saves them, at once they commit injustice upon the earth without right...” &nbsp;<br>and also in Surah al-Ankabut ayah 65, “And when they board a ship, they call upon Allah, sincere to Him in religion. But when He delivers them to the land, at once they associate others with Him.”<br><br>This aligns with the evidence you found that Allah, in pre-Islamic Arabia, was invoked by people only when they needed safety and protection.

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• AL

  @AlperenCan52 · 5 months ago

  <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OV0_Pd-OAs&amp;t=50">0:50</a> In Turkish translations we use the term &quot;ortak koşan&quot; for mushriks. It&apos;s means &quot;those who associate partners with God&quot;.

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• TA

  @tahaelhour690 · 4 months ago

  A possible theory for why Allah&apos;s presence seems to be scarce in inscriptions but consistent in nature of prayers and part of names is the old testament &quot;do not speak the Lord&apos;s name in vain&quot;. Possibly seen as disrespectful to call upon his name for minor asks.

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