Yaghuth was one of the five main idols worshipped by the people of Prophet Nuh (Noah) as mentioned in the Quran (71:23). His worship was later revived by certain tribes in pre-Islamic Arabia.

What does the name Yaghuth mean?

The name Yaghuth is derived from the Arabic root meaning 'to help' or 'to aid,' suggesting that his worshippers looked to him for assistance and deliverance.

Which tribes in pre-Islamic Arabia worshipped Yaghuth?

The worship of Yaghuth in pre-Islamic Arabia was particularly associated with the Madhhij tribe in southern Arabia, as well as the Murad and Bani Ghutayf tribes.

Yaghuth: The Pre-Islamic Deity Mentioned in the Quran

Yaghuth

يغوث

Yaghuth (يغوث) 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 Yaghuth

🕋Nuh71:23

At a Glance

Yaghuth is a pre-Islamic deity mentioned in the Quran as one of the primary idols of the people of Prophet Nuh (Noah). According to classical Islamic scholars such as Ibn Kathir, the idols of Prophet Nuh's time were originally named after righteous men, and after their deaths, statues were created in their honor, which eventually led to their worship. The worship of Yaghuth was later revived in pre-Islamic Arabia, particularly among the Madhhij and Murad tribes, who depicted him in the form of a lion. The name Yaghuth is derived from the Arabic root meaning 'to help,' indicating that his followers sought aid and deliverance from him, a practice condemned in the Quran as shirk (polytheism).

📖 Quranic Context

Yaghuth is mentioned as one of the five principal idols of the people of Prophet Nuh, symbolizing the depths of their polytheism and rejection of monotheism.

Yaghuth represents a false deity to whom people turned for help instead of Allah.

References: 71:23

💭 Theological Perspective

The worship of Yaghuth illustrates humanity's potential to deviate from the worship of the one true God and to deify created beings or concepts.

The attachment to Yaghuth demonstrates the psychological and societal entrenchment of idolatry.

The Quran's mention of Yaghuth serves as a timeless warning against all forms of shirk (polytheism).

Understanding the error of worshipping Yaghuth is a crucial step in sincerely dedicating all worship to Allah alone.

📜 Hadith Perspective

Ahadith, particularly from Ibn Abbas, explain that the idols of Prophet Nuh's people, including Yaghuth, were later adopted by the pre-Islamic Arabs.

The origins of idolatry from the veneration of righteous men.
The continuation of pre-Islamic idolatrous practices.
The tribal affiliations of the worship of these idols in Arabia.

There is a scholarly consensus, based on hadith, that the worship of Yaghuth was a historical reality both in the time of Prophet Nuh and in pre-Islamic Arabia.

💎 Deeper Insights

The revival of Yaghuth's worship in pre-Islamic Arabia, centuries after the time of Prophet Nuh, demonstrates the enduring nature of idolatrous beliefs and the importance of continuous prophetic guidance.

— Ibn Kathir

The depiction of Yaghuth as a lion symbolizes strength and power, highlighting how societies can deify attributes they admire, a subtle form of shirk that is relevant even today.

— Al-Mawdudi