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Dhu Samawi

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Dhū Samāwī (Musnad: 𐩹𐩪𐩣𐩥𐩺, sometimes 𐩪𐩣𐩺) was a pre-Islamic deity that was worshipped in South Arabia. He was a kind of sky deity who resided in the heavens. He was also associated with camels, especially by the Bedouins.

Symbolism

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The name Dhū Samāwī means The Heavenly One in the Sabaic language.[1][2] He was seen as a sky deity. He was also named Malik al-Dhū Samāwī, which meant that he was also regarded as a Lord of the Heavens.[3]

Worship

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Dhū Samāwī was worshipped by an Arab tribe known as Banu Amir, who offered votive statuettes of camels to ensure that he would protect their herds.[4] He was also worshipped in temples, and a temple dedicated to Dhū Samāwī was also uncovered at Kharibat in Yemen.[5]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Robin, Christian Julien. "Roads of Arabia". Archeology and History of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – via Academia.
  2. ^ Issawi, Charles (April 1950). "The Historical Role of Muhammad". The Muslim World. 40 (2): 83–95. doi:10.1111/j.1478-1913.1950.tb01035.x – via Wiley Online Library.
  3. ^ Maududi (2015). Tafheem-ul-Qur'an (in Urdu). India: Idara Tarjuman ul Qu'ran. ISBN 978-9697311224.
  4. ^ "Item number 315681001". British Museum. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
  5. ^ Kitchen, Kenneth A (July 1997). "Three unusual Sabaean inscriptions in bronze". Proceedings of the Seminar for Arabian Studies. 28: 149–156. JSTOR 41223621.