The Satanic Verses
The Satanic Verses is also a novel by Salman Rushdie
In a few of the many historical writings about Islam, The Satanic Verses refers to a short passage purported to have existed in the early recitings of the Qur'an. Nearly all Islamic scholars disagree as to whether these verses ever actually existed, or if their history is a fable. The verses were perhaps first named "satanic verses" by Sir William Muir.
Translated from Arabic, the satanic verses are "these are exalted females whose intercession is to be desired" in the 53rd sura of the Koran, Surat-An-Najm ("The Star"). Said to have been between verses 19-20, the females referred to were the goddesses al-Lat, Manah, and Uzza, who were three deities in pre-Islamic Arabia.
Muslim scholars have repudiated the incident as a fabrication created by the unbelievers of Mecca, in the early days of Islam, so they could remain in polytheism. Never taken seriously by the Muslims, it later caught the attention of western Orientalists.
According to a legend, Muhammad originally accepted these verses as part of the Koran. While the angel Jabril customarily told Muhammad to recite the sura revealed to him, Jabril then told him that the verses were actually a deception planted in his head from Satan, and they were therefore not the authentic word of Allah. The verses were later withdrawn and denounced as "satanic."
The sura in question, with the excised or interpolated verse:
- Near it is the Garden of Abode. Behold, the Lote-tree was shrouded (in mystery unspeakable!) (His) sight never swerved, nor did it go wrong! For truly did he see, of the Signs of his Lord, the Greatest! Have ye seen Lat. and 'Uzza, And another, the third (goddess), [Manah]
- These are the exalted cranes (intermediaries) Whose intercession is to be hoped for.
- What! for you the male sex, and for Him, the female? Behold, such would be indeed a division most unfair!
External Links