Satanic verses facts for kids

The Satanic verses are a group of lines that were once part of the Qur'an, the holy book of Islam. These verses became famous because they were briefly included in an early version of the Qur'an. Later, they were removed. Different groups of people have different views about these verses and their story.

What Are the Satanic Verses?

The term "Satanic verses" refers to a few lines that were supposedly added to the Qur'an during the time of the Prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam. These verses mentioned three ancient goddesses from Mecca: Al-Lat, Manat, and Al-Uzza. Before Islam, people in Mecca worshipped many gods and goddesses. These three were very important to them.

The Story Behind the Verses

According to some early Islamic stories, the Prophet Muhammad was trying to bring his community in Mecca closer to the new religion of Islam. Many people in Mecca worshipped idols and did not want to give up their old gods. The stories say that Muhammad received a revelation (a message from God) that seemed to allow the worship of these three goddesses, saying they could help people reach God. This made the people of Mecca happy, and some even joined Muhammad in prayer.

However, soon after, Muhammad reportedly received another message. This new message said that the earlier verses about the goddesses were not from God but were inspired by Satan. Because of this, the verses were removed from the Qur'an. This event is why they are called "Satanic verses."

Why Are These Verses Important?

The story of the Satanic verses is important for several reasons:

• Understanding Early Islam: It gives us a look into the challenges Prophet Muhammad faced when spreading Islam in Mecca. He was trying to unite people who had very different beliefs.
• The Qur'an's Purity: For Muslims, the Qur'an is considered the exact word of God, perfect and unchanged. The story of the Satanic verses raises questions about how the Qur'an was formed and protected from error. Most Muslims believe that the Qur'an we have today is exactly as God intended, and they do not accept the story of the Satanic verses as true.
• Different Views: Historians and scholars have different ideas about whether this event truly happened. Some believe the stories are true, showing a moment of human struggle and divine correction. Others believe the stories were made up later by people who were not Muslims, to criticize Islam.

The Three Goddesses

The three goddesses mentioned in the stories—Al-Lat, Manat, and Al-Uzza—were important figures in the pre-Islamic religion of Arabia.

• Al-Lat: She was seen as a mother goddess or a goddess of fertility. Her name means "The Goddess."
• Manat: She was often associated with fate and destiny. Her name means "Fate" or "Doom."
• Al-Uzza: Her name means "The Mighty One." She was a goddess of power and strength, often linked to the morning star.

These goddesses were worshipped with idols and rituals before Islam became the main religion in the region. The story of the Satanic verses highlights the big change that Islam brought by teaching that there is only one God, Allah, and that no other gods or goddesses should be worshipped.

Images for kids

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  The Arabian goddess Al-Lat, flanked by goddesses Manat and al-Uzza.