34

Nuhm

The Muzaynah[1] had an idol called Nuhm[2]. They used to name their children 'Abd-Nuhm, after it. The custodian of Nuhm was called Khuza'i ibn-'Abd-Nuhm of the Muzaynah, and more specifically of the banu-'Ida[3]. When he heard of the Prophet, he sped to the spot, destroyed the idol, and said:

"I went to Nuhm in order to offer unto it
A sacrifice of devotion, as I was wont to do.
But on second thought I said to myself,
'this is but a mute god, dumb and void of wit,'
And refused to sacrifice; from this day my faith is that of Muhammad,
[Servant of] the great God of Heaven, the Excellent [Lord]."

He then followed the Prophet, embraced Islam, and guaranteed to him the conversion of his tribe, the Muzaynah. Of Nuhm, too, Umayyah ibn-al-Askar[4] says:

 

35

 
 

"When thou meetest two black shepherds with their sheep,
Solemnly swearing by Nuhm,
With shreds of flesh between them divided,
Go thy way; let not thy gluttony prevail." 		 
 

FOOTNOTES

1. Ishtiqaq, p. 111.

2. cf. Ryckmans, vol. i, p.137; Wellhausen, pp.57-58.

3. Text, Adda; Ada in Wellhausen, p. 58, line 1. See Lisan al-'Arab, entry 'dy.

4. Al-Aghani, vol. XVIII, pp 156-163.