Allat
اللات
Allat (اللات) is the name of a false pre-Islamic goddess mentioned in the Quran.
Explore Verses Related to Allat
At a Glance
According to search-discovered classical Islamic scholarship and historical records, Allat (اللات) was a prominent pre-Islamic goddess worshipped across the Arabian Peninsula, with a major cult center in Ta'if. She, along with al-Uzza and Manat, was erroneously considered a 'daughter of Allah' in the pre-Islamic pagan pantheon, a belief categorically refuted by Islam. The Quran mentions her by name in Surah An-Najm (53:19) as part of a condemnation of idolatry, highlighting the theological error of ascribing partners and offspring to the One True God. Classical Islamic historians, such as Hisham ibn al-Kalbi, documented the rituals and beliefs associated with her worship, which involved a sacred sanctuary and a cubic stone idol. The ultimate destruction of her shrine by the order of the Prophet Muhammad marked a pivotal moment in the transition from polytheism to the strict monotheism of Islam in the region. Thus, in the Islamic context, Allat serves as a significant example of the *jahiliyyah* (pre-Islamic ignorance) that was replaced by the pure monotheism of Islam.
📖 Quranic Context
Mentioned as a prominent false goddess of the pre-Islamic Arabs, whose worship is condemned.
Erroneously considered a 'daughter of Allah' by pre-Islamic Arabs, a belief vehemently refuted by Islam.
References: 53:19
💭 Theological Perspective
Serves as a prime example of shirk (polytheism) and the deviation from the true worship of the One God.
Understanding the falsehood of Allat is a means to appreciate the Islamic concept of Tawhid (monotheism).
📜 Hadith Perspective
The Prophet Muhammad ordered the destruction of her shrine in Ta'if.
- The prohibition of swearing by Allat and other idols.
- The demolition of her temple as a sign of the triumph of monotheism.
Universal agreement among Islamic scholars on her status as a false deity and the prohibition of her veneration.
