Pronunciation: [hjˈuːbə͡l] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "hubal" is straightforward, with two syllables and a stress on the first syllable. In International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription, it is written as /hjuːˈbɑːl/. The first syllable starts with the "h" sound followed by a "y" sound as in "you." The second syllable starts with the "b" sound and is followed by the "aa" sound as in "father" and ends with the "l" sound like in "little."
Hubal is a noun that refers to a pre-Islamic pagan deity worshipped by the ancient Arab people, mainly the Quraish tribe, during the Jahiliyyah period of Arabian history. Hubal is often associated with pre-Islamic idolatry and represents a major idol or idol-like object, typically made from stone or metal, that was venerated and invoked as a god-like figure.
This term holds historical significance as it represents the shift from polytheism to monotheism in the Arabian Peninsula during the advent of Islam. Hubal was considered the principal and supreme deity among the Arab pagan gods, and his statue was located in the Kaaba, a major pilgrimage site that predates the Islamic era. It is reported that Hubal's statue was destroyed by the Prophet Muhammad during the conquest of Mecca in 630 CE, as part of his mission to establish monotheism and purge the Kaaba of its polytheistic symbols and practices.
In contemporary usage, the term "hubal" may be employed metaphorically to refer to any object, entity, or concept that receives excessive veneration or worship, often stemming from a viewpoint of idolatry or blind reverence. It can also be used to describe someone's unwavering and uncritical admiration towards a person or thing, indicating an excessive or misplaced devotion.
The word "Hubal" is an Arabic term that does not have a specific etymology. It is believed to be a pre-Islamic Arabian deity worshipped by the ancient Arab tribes, particularly the Quraysh tribe. The origins of the word are unclear, as it predates the written records of the Arabic language. Some scholars speculate that it may have originated from a Semitic root word meaning "stone", as Hubal was often represented by a sacred stone idol in the form of a human figure. However, due to the limited historical sources, the exact etymology of the word "Hubal" remains uncertain.
