On the origins of the god Ruḍaw and some remarks on the pre-Islamic North Arabian pantheon

Abstract

This contribution proposes an interpretation of a newly attested divine title of the ancient Arabian deity Ruḍaw, mkśd ‘(the one) from Chaldea’. It explores what sense this title could have had and its implications on our understanding of Ruḍaw's position in the ancient Arabian pantheon, especially in relation to Allāt. It also examines mentions of Ruḍaw in Islamic-period narrative sources and concludes that his cult likely disappeared by Islamic times; tales of the destruction of his cult site reflect the use of the ‘smashing idols’ topos to narrativize the passage from pre-Islam to Islam.

A Palaeo‐Arabic inscription from the Ḥismā Desert (Tabūk region)

“…In a recent discussion by Al‐Jallad (2021, p. 12) on the origins of the personal name ʿAbd Ruḍā (Ruḍā was a pre‐Islamic deity), he suggests that the name was likely used as part of an old tradition preserved throughout generations. In spite of the elements listed above, we cannot exclude the possibility that a name such as ʿAbd Šams was used in the sixth century as part of an ancient heritage as well, passed on from grandparents or parents to children, just as is done today.…”

The Religion and Rituals of the Nomads of Pre-Islamic Arabia

“…For a clear example of this, see Al-Jallad (2021a), where the god Roḍaw-who makes several appearances in the inscriptions cited in this book-is met with confusion by ibn al-Kalbī. Narrative sources reimagine him as a temple destroyed by a superhuman zealot, al-Mustawġir, who reportedly lived for over 300 years.…”