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Arabic & Islamic Holy Women Alilat (Al-lat) An ancient mother and fertility goddess of the pre-Islamic Arabs. Her name means "the Goddess". This mythic figure of great antiquity is one (she represented the earth and its fruits) of the trinity of desert goddesses, daughters of Allah, named in the Koran; Al-Uzza (goddess of the morning star) and Menat (goddess of fate and time) being the others. She was worshipped in the form of a block of white granite. Al-Uzza (goddess of the morning star) and Menat (goddess of fate and time) being the others. Allatum The goddess of the underworld in early Iranian mythology. She is believed to be of Mesopotamian origin (Ellat). Al-Uzza (El-'Ozza or Han-Uzzai) Another Arabic pre-Islamic goddess, considered the youngest daughter of Allah. She was worshipped in the form of a black stone. Aluqa An Arabian demoness who seduces men, sucking their blood after copulation so that they are totally exhausted and commit suicide. Ayesha The favorite wife of the Prophet Muhammad, daughter of Abou Bekr. He married her when she was only a child, soon after the Hegira, and ultimately died in her arms. Badoura The heroine of the story of Camaralzaman and Badoura in the Arabian Nights. Reputedly 'the most beautiful woman ever seen upon earth'. Balkis The Muslim name of the Queen of Sheba, who visited Solomon. Batul "Virgin". The word usually refers to Maryam or Fatimah, both of whom are regarded as superior to other women in Islamic tradition. Dhat-Badan The primary goddess of the Arabs of Yemen. She was a goddess of the natural forces of the wilderness, worshiped especially in tree-circled oases. Fatima Fatima was the moon goddess in pre-Islamic Arabia. Her name means The Creatress. She was also known as Source Of The Sun, Tree Of Paradise, the Moon, and Fate. She existed from the beginning of the material world. Ghaddar A demon (possibly female) in the deserts of the Red Sea countries. It catches travelers and tortures them by devouring their genitals. Islamic Ghul ('Seizer') Arabic, Pre-Islamic. Female spirits who attacked desert travellers, occasionally seducing or eating them. The root of the modern word 'ghoul'. Haiwa "Life". The Arabic name for Eve. She is not mentioned by name in the Koran, but referred to as Adam's spouse (Koran 2:35, 7:189). She was created by God as a spouse for Adam so that they could live in the Garden together. They were warned not to approach a certain tree. This tree had a very sweet smell, the best in the garden, called qamh. Eve was tempted by Iblis, who had become her friend by his glib talking, to eat from the tree fruit. Only by eating its fruit, he told her, would she be able to have children. When Adam learned what she had done, he followed her example, though more hesitantly, because he knew she would be cast out of paradise and he wanted to protect her against the hard life on earth. Maryam The mother of Prophet Isa (Alaih Assalaam) was called Maryam. Some people also call her Mary. She was a very pious woman and once, an angel of Allah Allah came to her and said: Soon you will have a son. But how can I have a son? Maryam asked. I have no husband. The angel replied: Allah is almighty. When He wishes something, then it will happen. You will have a son, and his name shall be Isa, and he will be a great prophet of Allah. When Isa was born, Maryam was on her own. She was very sad and hungry, for she had nothing to eat. But Allah came to her aid. He made a stream flow and a tree with nourishing fruits grew in the place where Maryam lived. Now, she would not have to suffer thirst and hunger. Later Maryam returned to her family. They were very curious about the child and asked: How did you get him? But Maryam did not answer. Instead, she just pointed to the child. Don't be silly, Maryam! The people admonished her. How can we ask a child, who is still in the cradle? But just then, to their amazement, they heard the child say: I am the servant of Allah. He has given me the scripture and made me His prophet. We, mankind, should worship only Allah and help the poor and give them some of our money. Qandisa a female demon of Morocco Ruhu'llah The spirit of God, which he breathed into Maryam. Now also a title for the highest mullahs (the ayatollahs in the Iranian Shi'a). Koran 4:169, 15:29, 21:91, 32:8, 38:72). Safura Arabic for Zipporah, wife of Moses (Musa), daughter of Jethro (Shu'ayb). |