Who was Nasr in the time of Prophet Nuh?

Nasr was a pre-Islamic deity worshiped by the people of Prophet Nuh. Islamic tradition, as narrated by commentators like Ibn Abbas, holds that Nasr, along with Wadd, Suwa', Yaghuth, and Ya'uq, were originally the names of righteous men whose statues were later worshiped as idols.

What does the name Nasr mean?

The name of the idol Nasr is understood to mean 'vulture' and was likely represented in that form. Separately, the Arabic word 'nasr' also has the meaning of 'victory' or 'supporter'.

Which tribe worshipped Nasr?

According to historical Islamic sources, the idol Nasr was particularly worshipped by the Himyar tribe in pre-Islamic Arabia.

Nasr: The Pre-Islamic Deity Worshiped by Prophet Nuh's People

Nasr

نسر

Nasr (نسر) is the name of a false deity mentioned in the Quran, who was worshipped at the time of the prophet Nuh (Noah).

Explore Verses Related to Nasr

🕋Nuh71:23

At a Glance

According to search-discovered classical Islamic scholarship, Nasr (نسر) was a pre-Islamic deity mentioned in the Quran as one of the five principal idols worshiped by the people of Prophet Nuh. Tafsir literature, particularly narrations from Ibn Abbas, explains that Nasr, along with Wadd, Suwa', Yaghuth, and Ya'uq, were originally the names of pious men. After their deaths, Satan inspired their people to erect statues in their memory, which over generations, led to their worship as gods. The name 'Nasr' is believed to mean 'vulture', and the idol was likely fashioned in this image. Historical sources indicate that the worship of Nasr was later adopted by the Himyar tribe in pre-Islamic Arabia.

📖 Quranic Context

Nasr is significant as one of the five specific idols worshiped by the people of Prophet Nuh, representing the early emergence of idolatry among humankind.

Worshiped as a false deity in opposition to the monotheistic message of Prophet Nuh.

References: Mentioned by name once in the Quran, in Surah Nuh (71:23).

💭 Theological Perspective

The story of Nasr and the other idols serves as a divine warning against the deviation from monotheism and the veneration of righteous figures leading to shirk (polytheism).

📜 Hadith Perspective

Narrations, particularly from Ibn Abbas, explain that Nasr, along with the other four idols of Nuh's people, were originally the names of righteous men. After their deaths, Satan inspired their people to create statues in their honor, which eventually led to their worship.

The origins of idolatry.
The veneration of righteous people.
The schemes of Satan to mislead humanity.

There is a consensus among Islamic scholars, based on narrations from the companions, that the idols of Prophet Nuh's time, including Nasr, were later worshiped by the pre-Islamic Arabs.

💎 Deeper Insights

The worship of Nasr and the other idols of Nuh's people was not an immediate event but a gradual process of deviation over generations, initiated by Satan's deception of making images of righteous people for remembrance.

— Ibn Kathir, Al-Tabari

The idols of Nuh's people, including Nasr, were later resurrected and worshiped by various Arab tribes in the pre-Islamic era, demonstrating the cyclical nature of human deviation from monotheism.

— Ibn Abbas