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Arabic MythologyArabic tradition and culture includes a number of stories and legends that are mythological. For example, note stories of genies, magic lamps, flying carpets, and wishes contained in tales from the Arabian Nights and other works. The story of Aladdin is one of these tales well known to English speakers. While some of these stories are associated in the mind of the Westerner with Islam, they do not for the most part illustrate the principles of Islam. In fact many of them predate the introduction of Islam, and contain elements contrary to Islam, and are therefore not Islamic mythology. The concept of the Evil Eye is considered by some to be mentioned in the Qur'an, in Surat al-Falaq (in which one is told to seek refuge "from the mischief of the envious one as he envies", and is held to be true by millions of Muslims. However the use of the Hand of Fatima is forbidden by the religion of Islam and is merely part of the so-called Folk Islam, a set of superstitions and practices transmitted orally from generation to generation. Many elements of Folk Islam stem from animism practices and have been integrated into the daily life of many Muslims. Orthodox muslims however, recite various verses from the Qur'an such as an-Nas and al-Falaq as means of protection and prayer. Islam stricly forbids magic. Yet, Arabic culture with the popular belief in magic and the existence of Jinn (الجن) Surat 72: Al-Jinn is entirely about them. According to Islamic mythology; Jinn can be befriended and compelled to perform tasks.
Pre-Islamic Arab Religion Prior to the arrival and inital codification of Islam on the Arabian Peninsula in 622 CE (or year one of the Islamic calendar) the Kaaba of Mecca, physical centre of Islam did not hold the single symbol of "the God" as it does now. The Kaaba was instead covered in symbols representing the myriad demons, djinn, demigods and other assorted creatures which represented the profoundly polytheistic environment of pre-Islamic Arabia. We can infer from this plurality an exceptionally broad context in which mythology could flourish. The Arabian gods included : - El or Ilah (meaning 'God')
- Bel or Belshamin
- Yarhibol or Malakbel
- Aglibol
- a number of astral and local dieties
- Sin (or Nanna-Suen, Babylonian)
- Athtar (related to Ishtar)
- Shams (Samas or Utu)
- Orotalt
- Alilat
- Nergal
- Nabu (or Nebo)
- Bes (Egypto-Arabic)
- Atargatis (Syrian)
- Astarte (possibly)
- Beltis (possibly)
See demons : In pre-Islamic Arab culture. The pre-Islamic arabs, such as the Garamantes, were influenced by the religions of the ancient Egyptians and Babylonians. Source: Gods, Demons and Symbols of Ancient Mesopotamia by Jeremy Black and Anthony Green (Much more could be written about this topic. See also Arab mythology, which is different from Islamic mythology as Islam prohibits sorcery.)
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