Manaf (deity)
Manaf (Arabic: مناف) was a pre-Islamic Arabian deity and given name.[1] Personal names incorporating the name Manaf such as "Abd Manaf" show that the deity was widespread among the tribes of Quraysh, Hudhayl, and Tamim.[2]
| Part of the myth series on |
| Religions of the ancient Near East |
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| Pre-Islamic Arabian deities |
| Arabian deities of foreign origin |
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Although famous scholar Al-Tabari calls Manaf "one of the greatest deities of Mecca," very little information is available on the subject.[2] Some authors state that women, who normally touched his idol as a token of blessing, kept away from it during menstruation, but, according to Encyclopedia of Islam, a report from Ibn Al-Kalbi indicates that this practice was common to all idols.[2]
Today, "Manaf" is a boy name infrequently given mostly in the Arab world. Despite being a boy's name, it can also be given to girls; while "Abd Manaf" has since become virtually unused.
Notable people named "Manaf"
- Abd Manaf ibn Qusai: Pre-Islamic leader of Quraysh.
- Manaf Tlass (1964-): Former member of the Syrian Republican Guard.
- Manaf Abushgeer (1980-): Former Saudi Arabian football player.
- Manaf Abd al-Rahim al-Rawi (died 2013): Iraqi jihadist.
- Manaf Suleymanov (1912-2001): Azerbaijani historian.
- Manaf Al-Saeed (1976-): Former Saudi Arabian handball player.
References
- http://quranicnames.com/manaf/?t=1515111273
- T. Fahd. Encyclopedia of Islam 2nd ed, Brill, "Manaf"