Polytheism:
- Arabians worshipped a pantheon of gods, with Hubal, Manat, al-Lat, and al-Uzza being the primary deities.
- These gods were often associated with natural features, such as the sun, moon, and mountains.
- Worship involved making offerings, sacrifices, and performing rituals at shrines and idols.
Animism:
- Belief in spirits that inhabited objects, animals, and plants.
- These spirits could influence human affairs, and people sought to appease them through offerings and rituals.
Magic and Divination:
- Belief in the power of magic, spells, and divination practices to predict the future and influence events.
- Fortune-tellers, astrologers, and shamans played an important role in society.
Idolatry:
- Worship of physical representations of gods or spirits.
- Idols were made of various materials, such as stone, wood, and metal.
Ancestor Worship:
- Belief that the souls of deceased ancestors had a continuing influence on the living.
- Graves were often revered, and sacrifices were made to seek their favor.
Religious Festivals:
- Seasonal festivals, such as the Pilgrimage (Hajj) to Mecca, were occasions for religious gatherings, rituals, and social events.
Shamanism:
- Tribal medicine men and women practiced a form of shamanism, engaging in trances, rituals, and the use of herbs and amulets to heal the sick and communicate with spirits.
Monotheism:
- Although polytheism was the dominant form of religion, there were some individuals who rejected idolatry and believed in a single, supreme God.
- These monotheists included the Prophet Muhammad's grandfather, Abd al-Muttalib.
Hanifism:
- A pre-Islamic monotheistic movement that sought to purify the original beliefs of the Arabs.
- Hanifs rejected idolatry and believed in a remote, all-powerful God.