Is Jerusalem the Qibla?
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Salam Layth
In fact 4102 was late by 3 millennia and some since this verse was revealed about 3500 years after the incident in 1087 happened.
The context of 4102 and 1087 are different. In 4102 they are an army prepared for an ambush by the enemy taking precaution while they were praying. The civilian population Moses was leading out of Egypt was no match for the army led by Pharaoh. Even if they change their qibla and look in the direction from which Pharaoh was marching from or they show their backs to him it wouldn?t have mattered.
Even if you assume, with difficulty, such a large army marched silently, if they met they would have been decimated by the powerful army of Pharaoh, not ambushed by it while they were praying. Only thing needed here would have been a watcher/sentry not a change in the direction of the salat and a change of focal point to the all too vague ?houses?. The awkward translation of the verse and the resultant forced meaning to arrive at the conclusion wanted is not credible at all.
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Salam Layth
How has "Biqa" in Lebanon now become a Hebrew word? Let's stick to Arabic words/sounds when discussing the Quran as it is an Arabic book.
Muslims/ Arabs marched in to Jerusalem few years after the Messenger and at that time the revelation of the Quran has been completed. Even if we like it or not, most places and cities in and around Jerusalem had Hebrew names while the Quran was being revealed. And most locations continue to remain in the same Hebrew name to date. If the Quran wants to mention a place in the vicinity of Jerusalem it will have to mention by its Hebrew name and not by its Arabic name since Arabs have not conquered these lands and arabiscized these locations.
It is highly unlikely the Arabs walked in to Jerusalem few years after the Quran has been completed and found a place named ?Bakka? in Arabic. Also can we accept a place named as Bakka by Arabs who walked in to Jerusalem after the Quran was completed as the same Bakka mentioned in the Quran ?
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Is Masjid Al Aqsa (mentioned in Quran) the same as Masjid Al Aqsa located in Jerusalem today?
Salaam,
No, they are separate structures, as shown in the Quran.
"Subhana allathee asra biAAabdihi laylan mina almasjidi alharami ila almasjidi al-aqsa allathee barakna hawlahu linuriyahu min ayatina innahu huwa alssameeAAu albaseeru" Surah 171
"Glory be to Him, who carried His servant by night from the Sacred Mosque to the Further Mosque the precincts of which We have blessed, that We might show him some of Our signs. He is the All-hearing, the All-seeing." Surah 171
Peace.
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Isn?t Bakka unknown (completely foreign) to Islamic scholars? Ask today's average Imam and they don?t even know where Bakka is. The majority of them ASSUME that it is an old name for the city of Mecca. The fact is there is absolutely NO concrete evidence to prove that Bakka is an old name for the city of Mecca. If you know someone who is an Imam go to them and ask them yourself. For those of you who have a copy of Yusef Ali?s translation of the Quran read the commentary of 396
http//www.quran4u.com/Tafsiraya/003%20Imran.htm
Sura 396 The first House (of worship) appointed for men was that at Bakka
C422. Bakka same as Makkah, perhaps an older name. The foundation of the Ka'bah goes back to Abraham, but there are place associations in the sacred territories with the names of Adam and Eve. (R).
( Why isn?t he sure that Bakka is Mecca?)
Question for warner The above is a commentary of one the most respected Islamic scholars. Does Yusef Ali (who I assume you have heard about) seem to you like he knows where Bakka is? Isn?t he making an assumption? Doesn?t this prove that Bakka is foreign name or completely unknown to those you lived in Arabia?
Also the fact that Bakka is written in Arabic doesn?t mean that is (well was) originally an Arabic word.
For example if I wanted to write that I live in Toronto, Canada in Japanese I would write its Japanese equivalent. However if I wanted to SAY that I live in Toronto , Canada I would say Japanese for " I live in? ??. Toronto, Canada (in English)
The questions that you should be asking warner is who had first claim on the word Baaka (or better yet the sound of the word) Also why is this word a mystery to Islamic scholars and not to those of the previous scripture?
http//www.wrestedscriptures.com/a08islam/psalm84v6.html
? In 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles the valley of Baka is a valley full of balsam bushes near the valley of Rephaim. This is to the southwest of Jerusalem and forms an approach route to the city. ?
God doesn?t make mistakes.
Note Bakka is not a foreign name or word to the people of the previous scriptures.
Question for Patanahi Does the Quran say in Arabic that the most distant mosque is in Jerusalem or did you assume that it is in Jerusalem? Sura 17 1
Peace
Kevin peace
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Question for Patanahi Does the Quran say in Arabic that the most distant mosque is in Jerusalem or did you assume that it is in Jerusalem? Sura 17 1
I am trying to find out if there is a link between Masjid Al Aqsa (See Arabic verse 171 in Quran) and Masjid Al Aqsa located in Jerusalem (see http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Aqsa_Mosque )? In other words, for 171, do we have to translate english equivalent of the Arabic word "Masjid Al Aqsa" actually mentioned in verse 171 as the distant mosque or should we take it as it is which would probably refer to the Masjid Al Aqsa located in Jerusalem (see http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Aqsa_Mosque ).
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The questions that you should be asking warner is who had first claim on the word Baaka (or better yet the sound of the word) Also why is this word a mystery to Islamic scholars and not to those of the previous scripture?
http//www.wrestedscriptures.com/a08islam/psalm84v6.html
? In 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles the valley of Baka is a valley full of balsam bushes near the valley of Rephaim. This is to the southwest of Jerusalem and forms an approach route to the city. ?
God doesn?t make mistakes.
Note Bakka is not a foreign name or word to the people of the previous scriptures.
You are making an error in understanding the collection of Books called the Bible, however. This may be due to being new to the deen of Al-Islam and your past as a Christian.
The previous Books do not verify the Quran. The Quran verifies the previous Books.Allah warns you about upholding the previous Books over what He revealed
"And We have sent down to thee the Book with the truth, confirming the Book that was before it, and assuring it. So judge between them according to what God has sent down, and do not follow their caprices, to forsake the truth that has come to thee. To every one of you We have appointed a right way and an open road. If God had willed, He would have made you one nation; but that He may try you in what has come to you. So be you forward in good works; unto God shall you return, all together; and He will tell you of that whereon you were at variance.
And judge between them according to what God has sent down, and do not follow their caprices, and beware of them lest they tempt thee away from any of what God has sent down to thee. But if they turn their backs, know that God desires only to smite them for some sin they have committed; surely, many men are ungodly.
Is it the judgment of pagandom then that they are seeking? Yet who is fairer in judgment than God, for a people having sure faith?" Surah 548-50The previous Books have been altered and tampered with.
Altering the word Surah 275, 279, 378, 446, 514-15, 7162"Are you then so eager that they should believe you, seeing there is a party of them that heard God's word, and then tampered with it, and that after they had comprehended it, wittingly?" Surah 275
"So woe to those who write the Book with their hands, then say, 'This is from God,' that they may sell it for a little price; so woe to them for what their hands have written, and woe to them for their earnings." Surah 279
"And there is a sect of them twist their tongues with the Book, that you may suppose it part of the Book, yet it is not part of the Book; and they say, 'It is from God,' yet it is not from God, and they speak falsehood against God, and that wittingly." Surah 378The Quran gives description of the location of Masjid Al-Haram, and that location is Mecca. Proof is given throughout this thread from the Quran.
I follow only what Allah revealed, the word of an honored Messenger The Quran.
I am trying to find out if there is a link between Masjid Al Aqsa (See Arabic verse 171 in Quran) and Masjid Al Aqsa located in Jerusalem (see http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Aqsa_Mosque )? In other words, for 171, do we have to translate english equivalent of the Arabic word "Masjid Al Aqsa" actually mentioned in verse 171 as the distant mosque or should we take it as it is which would probably refer to the Masjid Al Aqsa located in Jerusalem (see http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Aqsa_Mosque ).
The link is in the ayats that follow Surah 171. They give the description of the Temple of the Bani Israel that was destroyed twice for their disobedience.
?And We decreed for the Children of Israel in the Book 'You shall do corruption in the earth twice, and you shall ascend exceeding high.'
So, when the promise of the first of these came to pass, We sent against you servants of Ours, men of great might, and they went through the habitations, and it was a promise performed.
Then We gave back to you the turn to prevail over them, and We succoured you with wealth and children, and We made you a greater host.
'If you do good, it is your own souls you do good to, and if you do evil it is to them likewise.' Then, when the promise of the second came to pass, We sent against you Our servants to discountenance you, and to enter the Temple (almasjida), as they entered it the first time, and to destroy utterly that which they ascended to.? Surah 174-7Which Temple was destroyed twice for the disobedience of the Bani Israel?
The Temple in Jerusalem, the precincts Allah has blessed as shown in Surah 171.Muhammad (pbuh) did not know the Book nor faith until Allah revealed to him.
"Even so We have revealed to thee a Spirit of Our bidding. Thou knewest not what the Book was, nor belief; but We made it a light, whereby We guide whom We will of Our servants. And thou, surely thou shalt guide unto a straight path --" Surah 4252
I have created videos using the skills Allah has taught me that contain information on these topics. Insha'Allah, they are study references for those who study the Quran.
Don't take my word for it though. Double-check everything I say, confirm it, and follow only what Allah revealed. If you have a question in translation, return to the Arabic revelation for confirmation.
Classical Arabic is not a dead language like ancient Hebrew, Aramaic, or Koine Greek. There are many resources to help you; ask Allah to guide you and explain to you. )Proof Qiblah
http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhq1BDBG3ZsProof Hajj
http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=i21uxpnjyXgSyncretism Rituals of Hajj
http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jY_6d7KBewMay Allah increase the believers in knowledge.
Peace and blessings.
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The Quran verifies the previous Books.
In fact, the books which were cut from the Bible verify the Quran.
You might try reading Thomas or Peter's Apocalypse. Mind there is more than one way to interpret such texts.And, seeing the direct text correlation along with the history of groups like the Gnostics and the Essenes, one begins to understand that, yes, it has been tampered with.
Stolen, in fact.If you're sharp enough about it, you may even recognize the Dao.
Salaam.
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The Qur?an was written in Arabic, and Muhammad was an Arabian (4144). ?His people? were therefore Arabs.
He was an Arab and was turned to a qiblah (direction of salaat) that he would like (2144). The Jews and Christians would NEVER agree with this qiblah (2145).
We know the Arab Muslims settled near the Sacred Mosque (92. If the Sacred Mosque were in Jerusalem, there would be so many ?idolaters? around that they could not be kept away from it (since it was their place!).
Also, the place where the Muslims settled was the place that they were expelled from (913). Their flight is in 9100. Therefore the qiblah should be in Mecca.
The Kaaba is referred to as the ?sacred House? in 52 and other places. The Quraish (an Arabian tribe) were to serve the Lord of THIS House (1063).
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Also, the place where the Muslims settled was the place that they were expelled from (913). Their flight is in 9100. Therefore the qiblah should be in Mecca.
The place the Prophet (pbuh) and the believers were expelled from was not Mecca. They settled in Mecca, but where expelled from Midian, aka Nabatean Petra in the Byzantine empire.
?They say, 'Should we follow the guidance with thee, we shall be snatched from our land.' Have We not established for them a sanctuary secure, to which are collected the fruits of everything, as a provision from Us? But most of them know not.? Surah 2857
The town that expelled the Prophet (pbuh) was destroyed
?How many a city that was stronger in might than thy town which has expelled thee have We destroyed! And there was no helper for them.? Surah 4713
?Indeed they were near to startling thee from the land, to expel thee from it, and then they would have tarried after thee only a little ?? Surah 1776
?It is He who expelled from their habitations the unbelievers among the People of the Book at the first mustering. You did not think that they would go forth, and they thought that their fortresses would defend them against God; then God came upon them from whence they had not reckoned, and He cast terror into their hearts as they destroyed their houses with their own hands, and the hands of the believers; therefore take heed, you who have eyes!
Had God not prescribed dispersal for them, He would have chastised them in this world; and there awaits them in the world to come the chastisement of the Fire.
That is because they made a breach with God and His Messenger; and whosoever makes a breach with God, God is terrible in retribution.? Surah 592-4
?We already seized them with the chastisement, yet they abased not themselves to their Lord nor were they humble;? Surah 2376There was no conflict within Mecca.
"If the unbelievers had fought you, they would have turned their backs, and then found neither protector nor helper; the way of God (Sunnata Allahi), as in the past before, and thou shalt never find any changing the way of God (lisunnati Allahi).
It is He who restrained their hands from you, and your hands from them, within Mecca, after that He made you victors over them. God sees the things you do.
They are the ones who disbelieved, and barred you from the Holy Mosque and the offering, detained so as not to reach its place of sacrifice. If it had not been for certain men believers and certain women believers whom you knew not, lest you should trample them, and there befall you guilt unwittingly on their account (that God may admit into His mercy whom He will), had they been separated clearly, then We would have chastised the unbelievers among them with a painful chastisement. " Surah 4822-25The believers inherited their lands
?and We will surely make you to dwell in the land after them -- that, for him who fears My station and fears My threat.'? Surah 1414
?And He bequeathed upon you their lands, their habitations, and their possessions, and a land you never trod. God is powerful over everything.? Surah 3327Allah does not change His Sunnah.
"God has struck a similitude a city that was secure, at rest, its provision coming to it easefully from every place, then it was unthankful for the blessings of God; so God let it taste the garment of hunger and of fear, for the things that they were working.
There came indeed to them a Messenger from amongst them, but they cried him lies; so they were seized by the chastisement while they were evildoers." Surah 16112-113"How many a city We have destroyed that flourished in insolent ease! Those are their dwelling-places, undwelt in after them, except a little; Ourselves are the inheritors.
Yet thy Lord never destroyed the cities until He sent in their mother-city a Messenger, to recite Our signs unto them; and We never destroyed the cities, save that their inhabitants were evildoers." Surah 2858-59"And when We desire to destroy a city, We command its men who live at ease, and they commit ungodliness therein, then the Word is realized against it, and We destroy it utterly." Surah 1716
"Why was there never a city that believed, and its belief profited it? -- Except the people of Jonah; when they believed, We removed from them the chastisement of degradation in this present life, and We gave unto them enjoyment for a time." Surah 1098
"There is a ban upon any city that We have destroyed; they shall not return" Surah 2195
"Never a city We destroyed, but it had warners" Surah 26208
If Muhammad (pbuh) was from Mecca, then that city would be destroyed.
Allah does not change His Sunnah."Now; if the hypocrites do not give over, and those in whose hearts there is sickness and they that make commotion in the city (almadeenati), We shall assuredly urge thee against them and then they will be thy neighbours there only a little; cursed they shalt be, and wheresoever they are come upon they shall be seized and slaughtered all -- God's way (Sunnata Allahi) with those who passed away before; and thou shall find no changing the way of God (lisunnati Allahi). Surah 3360-62
"They have sworn by God the most earnest oaths that if a warner came to them, they would be more rightly guided than any one of the nations; but when a warner came to them, it increased them only in aversion, waxing proud in the land, and devising evil; but evil devising encompasses only those who do it; So do they expect anything but the way of the ancients (sunnata al-awwaleena)? And thou shalt never find any changing the way of God (lisunnati Allahi), and thou shalt never find any altering the way of God (lisunnati Allahi)." Surah 3542-43
May Allah increase the believers in knowledge.
Peace.
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Peace Raging
The city of Petra seem to be a very good candidate for the city from which the Messenger got expelled from. Layth shares the same view as well.
But why do you think it is to Mecca and not Medina(mentioned as Yathrib in the Quran) to which the Messenger emigrated ?
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Peace KDC 501
While credit should go to Yusuf Ali for translating the Quran into English, at a time when, many such translations were not available. But I don't treat him as one of the most respected Islamic scholars. He is possibly a great sunni scholar.
Please see what he says about Bakka,
C422. Bakka same as Makkah, perhaps an older name. The foundation of the Ka'bah goes back to Abraham, but there are place associations in the sacred territories with the names of Adam and Eve. (R).
Check the bold print. He is 100% certain that Bakka is Mecca. IOW he has no doubt that the place Mecca is as same as Bakka. His "perhaps" seems to be only about whether its a new name , old name or an contemporary ?
In the same way any sunni ulema will tell you bakka is same as mecca.
You must check the original Hebrew or Aramaic bibles to check whether it is Baka , bakka or Bica ? We will be on a wild goose chase with the English translation.
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Peace KDC 501
While credit should go to Yusuf Ali for translating the Quran into English, at a time when, many such translations were not available. But I don't treat him as one of the most respected Islamic scholars. He is possibly a great sunni scholar.
Please see what he says about Bakka,
C422. Bakka same as Makkah, perhaps an older name. The foundation of the Ka'bah goes back to Abraham, but there are place associations in the sacred territories with the names of Adam and Eve. (R).
Check the bold print. He is 100% certain that Bakka is Mecca. IOW he has no doubt that the place Mecca is as same as Bakka. His "perhaps" seems to be only about whether its a new name , old name or an contemporary ?
In the same way any sunni ulema will tell you bakka is same as mecca.
You must check the original Hebrew or Aramaic bibles to check whether it is Baka , bakka or Bica ? We will be on a wild goose chase with the English translation.
Dear Warner,
Yusef Ali is one of the most respected scholars who follows hadiths. And it is from the hadiths and other sectarian beliefs where the majority (if not everyone) gets the idea that Mecca is Bakka when the Quran does not say so. The fact is that Yusef Ali doesn?t know whether or not Bakka is an older name for Mecca (hence the use of the phrase ?perhaps an older name? . The ONLY reason why he says that Bakka is the same as Makkah is because he is a sunni and follows hadiths.
I believe that the city Mecca and the word Bakka only became related to one another till after the Quran was revealed and after people started to ?change there religion? http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mecca
And if you do follow the Quran alone you know what sort of changes I?m talking about.
And yes both words in the Bible and the Quran do sound the same. However as I said before if I wanted to say that ?I live in Toronto Canada? in Japanese then the phrase ?I live in ? would be said in Japanese and the words ?Toronto , Canada? I would say in English. What I?m trying point out to you is that just because the word ?Bakka? is written in Arabic it doesn?t mean that it was originally an Arabic word.
At any rate the one thing that you and I can both agree with since you and I both comprehend what we read is that Yusef Ali doesn?t know or can?t prove that Bakka is an older name for Mecca.
Question If I was absolutely 100% sure that Bakka is an older name for Mecca would I say ? It is perhaps an older name for Mecca? ?
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Question If I was absolutely 100% sure that Bakka is an older name for Mecca would I say ? It is perhaps an older name for Mecca? ?
Yes. Especially when you uphold teachings outside of the Quran as a source of knowledge.
Knowing the Quran is the Truth from Allah, who does not make mistakes nor forgets, I can say with certainty based on the description given in the Quran Bakka is an older name for Mecca.
As well, knowing the Quran verifies the Truth in previous Books - an not vice versa - I can use the Quran to prove pilgrimage occurred to Masjid Al-Haram prior to the creation of Masjid Al-Aqsa by the revelation given to David (pbuh), the Prophets in the Tribes (pbut), and the actions of Moses and Aaron (pbut).The description is in the Quran. You won't be asked what I do or believe. You won't be asked what Yusuf Ali did or believed. You will only be asked what you do and believe.
Study the Quran diligently and do not depend on my opinion, or anyone else's for that matter. Turn to Allah only as your Guide. He explains the Quran."Move not thy tongue with it to hasten it; Ours it is to gather it, and to recite it.
So, when We recite it, follow thou its recitation.
Then Ours it is to explain it." Surah 7516-19Peace.
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Yes. Especially when you uphold teachings outside of the Quran as a source of knowledge.
Knowing the Quran is the Truth from Allah, who does not make mistakes nor forgets, I can say with certainty based on the description given in the Quran Bakka is an older name for Mecca.
As well, knowing the Quran verifies the Truth in previous Books - an not vice versa - I can use the Quran to prove pilgrimage occurred to Masjid Al-Haram prior to the creation of Masjid Al-Aqsa by the revelation given to David (pbuh), the Prophets in the Tribes (pbut), and the actions of Moses and Aaron (pbut).The description is in the Quran. You won't be asked what I do or believe. You won't be asked what Yusuf Ali did or believed. You will only be asked what you do and believe.
Study the Quran diligently and do not depend on my opinion, or anyone else's for that matter. Turn to Allah only as your Guide. He explains the Quran."Move not thy tongue with it to hasten it; Ours it is to gather it, and to recite it.
So, when We recite it, follow thou its recitation.
Then Ours it is to explain it." Surah 7516-19Peace.
Brother raginggaijin
The reason why I used Yusef Ali as an example is because he was well respected Islamic scholar who followed hadiths and it from the hadiths and other sectarian teachings that people blindly believe that 'Bakka' is an older name for 'Mecca'. So far you have failed to bring clear proof that Baaka is Mecca. You are also giving me the strongest impression that if you had the chance that you would rewrite the Quran and replace the word 'Baaka' with 'Mecca' and also replace 'almasjidi al-aqsa ' mentioned in Sura 171 with the temple of Jerusalem.
Peace,
Kevin
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Peace Raging
The city of Petra seem to be a very good candidate for the city from which the Messenger got expelled from. Layth shares the same view as well.Insha'Allah, this will show why I believe what I believe, and to support Petra as the city that expelled the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and the believers.
Midian (madyana) in Quran Surah 785, 970, 1184, 1194-95, 2040, 2244, 2822-23
City (almadeenati) in Quran Surah 9101, 9120, 3360, 3620, 5911, 638
Ad and Thamud Surah 765-69, 773-78, 1580, 2748-52, 4621, 5350, 5419, 696-7, 897-8"The dwellers in The Rock (alhijri) cried lies to the Envoys.
We brought them. Our signs, and they turned away from them.
They were hewing the mountains into houses, therein dwelling securely;
and the Cry seized them in the morning;
that they earned did not avail them." Surah 1580-84Hegra
http//www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/200704/images/new.pieces/ARM6-02-Nabataean_lg.jpg
http//www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/200704/new.pieces.of.mada.in.salih.s.puzzle.htm
http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mada%27in_Saleh
http//madainsaleh.net/madainsaleh.aspx
http//www.zubeyr-kureemun.com/SaudiArabia/MadainSaleh.htm"And remember when He appointed you successors after Ad, and lodged you in the land, taking to yourselves castles of its plains, and hewing its mountains into houses. Remember God's bounties, and do not mischief in the earth, working corruption.'
Said the Council of those of his people who waxed proud to those that were abased, to those of them who believed, 'Do you know that Salih is an Envoy from his Lord?' They said, 'In the Message he has been sent with we are believers.'
Said the ones who waxed proud, 'As for us, we are unbelievers in the thing in which you believe.'
So they hamstrung the She-camel and turned in disdain from the commandment of their Lord, saying, 'O Salih, bring us that thou promisest us, if thou art an Envoy.'
So the earthquake seized them, and morning found them in their habitation fallen prostrate." Surah 774-78"and Thamood, who hollowed the rocks in the valley (bialwadi )," Surah 899
?And Ad, and Thamood -- it has become clear to you from their dwelling-places; and satan decked out fair to them their works, and barred them from the way, though they saw clearly.? Surah 2938
?Is it not a guidance to them, how many generations We destroyed before them in whose dwelling-places they walk? Surely in that are signs for men possessing reason.? Surah 20128
?Is it not a guidance to them, how many generations We destroyed before them in whose dwelling-places they walk? Surely in that are signs; what, will they not hear?
Have they not seen how We drive the water to the dry land and bring forth crops therewith whereof their cattle and themselves eat? What, will they not see?? Surah 3226-27?And warn mankind of the day when the chastisement comes on them, And those who did evil shall say, 'Our Lord, defer us to a near term, and we will answer Thy call, and follow the Messengers.' 'Ah, but did you not swear aforetime there should be no removing for you?
And you dwelt in the dwelling-places of those who wronged themselves, and it became clear to you how We did with them, and how We struck similitudes for you.? Surah 1444-45As successors settled in the land, the lands of Midian had three Messengers Shuaib, Moses, and Muhammad (pbut).
Ancient Midian is near Sinai, near the Red Sea, and was part of Egypt during the time of Moses and Aaron (pbut).
The lands of Nabataen-Petra contained Midian, as well as Medina, Ad, Thamud, and the former location of Lot's people. There is controversy surrounding the location of Mount Sinai, so ignoring them and upholding the description given in the Quran we can find where the Prophet and the believers were exiled from."And We gave Moses the Book, after that We had destroyed the former generations, to be examples and a guidance and a mercy, that haply so they might remember.
Thou wast not upon the western side when We decreed to Moses the commandment, nor wast thou of those witnessing; but We raised up generations, and long their lives continued. Neither wast thou a dweller among the Midianites, reciting to them Our signs; but We were sending Messengers.
Thou wast not upon the side of the Mount when We called; but for a mercy from thy Lord, that thou mayest warn a people to whom no warner came before thee, and that haply they may remember.
Else, did an affliction visit them for that their own hands have forwarded then they might say, 'Our Lord, why didst Thou not send a Messenger to us that we might follow Thy signs and so be among the believers?'
Yet when the truth came to them from Ourselves, they said, 'Why has he not been given the like of that Moses was given?' But they, did they not disbelieve also in what Moses was given aforetime? They said, 'A pair of sorceries mutually supporting each other.' They said, 'We disbelieve both.'
Say 'Bring a Book from God that gives better guidance than these, and follow it, if you speak truly.'
Then if they do not answer thee, know that they are only following their caprices; and who is further astray than he who follows his caprice without guidance from God? Surely God guides not the people of the evildoers." Surah 2843-50http//www.konkyo.org/images/exmap2.gif
http//www.go2petra.com/IMAGES/mapkingdom.gif
http//images-mediawiki-sites.thefullwiki.org/07/1/2/2/24416152846869550.png
http//www.netours.com/images/stories/jordan/jordan_desert/arabia_late_trade_600.jpg
http//www.bible.ca/archeology/bible-archeology-exodus-kadesh-barnea-petra-nabataean-trade-routes-50bc.jpg
http//www.amnh.org/ology/features/petra/images/map3_enlarge.jpg
http//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a8/Egypt_1450_BC.svg
http//www.bible.ca/archeology/maps-bible-archeology-exodus-route-kadesh-barnea-thomas-kitchin-1794ad.jpg"and God most surely helped you at Badr, when you were utterly abject. So fear God, and haply you Will be thankful." Surah 3123
http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hala-%27l_Badr
http//maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&sugexp=ldymls&xhr=t&q=27.25%C2%B0%20N%2C%2037.235%C2%B0&cp=19&qe=MjcuMjWwIE4sIDM3LjIzNbAgRQ&qesig=EGsa6IMg1mDNxREJWBbqjA&pkc=AFgZ2tlnBGmD3Xw6voGM04MYMTbYDLr7a3MGYyLckvWE-r5dHqx8-5w7jL9WRvOOVI3RMUokPvR76J26UVpEZuSvvDAzXsFs3Q&safe=off&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&biw=1582&bih=735&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=il"And to Midian their brother Shuaib; he said, 'O my people, serve God! You have no god other than He; there has now come to you a clear sign from your Lord. So fill up the measure and the balance, and diminish not the goods of the people; and do not corruption in the land, after it has been set right; that is better for you, if you are believers." Surah 785
"And when Our command came, We delivered Shuaib and those who believed with him by a mercy from Us, and the evildoers were seized by the Cry, and morning found them in their habitations fallen prostrate as if they had never dwelt there 'So away with Midian, even as Thamood was done away!'" Surah 1195
"when thy sister went out, saying, "Shall I point you to one to have charge of him?" So We returned thee to thy mother that she might rejoice, and not sorrow. Then thou slewest; a living soul, and We delivered thee out of grief, and We tried thee with many trials. Many years among the people of Midian thou didst sojourn, then camest hither, Moses, according to a decree." Surah 2040
"and the men of Midian; to Moses also they cried lies. And I respited the unbelievers, then I seized them; and how was My horror!" Surah 2240
The area known as Sinai was part of the Egyptian empire
http//www.iziko.org.za/sh/resources/egypt/images/map_e3_l.gifPetra is the capital - mother city - of Nabatean Petra.
?This is a Book We have sent down, blessed and confirming that which was before it, and for thee to warn the Mother of Cities (omma alqura) and those about her; and those who believe in the world to come believe in it, and watch over their prayers.? Surah 692
?And so We have revealed to thee an Arabic Koran, that thou mayest warn the Mother of Cities (omma alqura) and those who dwell about it, and that thou mayest warn of the Day of Gathering, wherein is no doubt -- a party in Paradise, and a party in the Blaze.? Surah 427
But why do you think it is to Mecca and not Medina(mentioned as Yathrib in the Quran) to which the Messenger emigrated ?
According to the Quran, the Prophet and believers lived in Yathrib during their exile, as their homes were threatened by the disbelievers. The people of the city and the Arabs were tasked to follow Muhammad (pbuh) and the believers in their efforts against the disbelievers, but many were hypocrites and stayed behind.
?And some of the Bedouins (al-aAArabi) who dwell around you are hypocrites; and some of the people of the City (almadeenati) are grown bold in hypocrisy. Thou knowest them not; but We know them, and We shall chastise them twice, then they will be returned to a mighty chastisement.? Surah 9101
?It is not for the people of the City (almadeenati) and for the Bedouins (al-AAArabi) who dwell around them to stay behind Allah's Messenger, and to prefer their lives to his; that is because they are smitten neither by thirst, nor fatigue, nor emptiness in the way of Allah, neither tread they any tread enraging the unbelievers, nor gain any gain from any enemy, but a righteous deed is thereby written to their account; Allah leaves not to waste the wage of the good-doers.? Surah 9120
"And when a party of them said, 'O people of Yathrib, there is no abiding here for you, therefore return!' And a part of them Were asking leave of the Prophet, saying, 'Our houses are exposed'; yet they were not exposed; they desired only to flee." Surah 3313
"Were it a gain near at hand, and an easy journey, they would have followed thee; but the distance was too far for them. Still they will swear by God, 'Had we been able, we would have gone out with you,' so destroying their souls; and God knows that they are truly liars." Surah 942
"So, if God returns thee to a party of them and they ask leave of thee to go forth, say 'You shall not go forth with me ever, and you shall not fight with me any enemy. You were well-pleased to tarry the first time, so now tarry with those behind.'" Surah 983
I think the Prophet (pbut) and the believers settled in Mecca - along with other areas given to them by Allah - because the Quran describes where they settled.
?And He brought down those of the People of the Book who supported them from their fortresses and cast terror in their hearts; some you slew, some you made captive. And He bequeathed upon you their lands, their habitations, and their possessions, and a land you never trod. Allah is powerful over everything.? Surah 3326-27
"?They say, 'Should we follow the guidance with thee, we shall be snatched from our land.' Have We not established for them a sanctuary secure, to which are collected the fruits of everything, as a provision from Us? But most of them know not.? Surah 2857
The Prophet Muhammad and the believers were kept out of Mecca until Allah decreed they would enter it, and they did so without violence.
"It is He who restrained their hands from you, and your hands from them, within Mecca, after that He made you victors over them. God sees the things you do.
They are the ones who disbelieved, and barred you from the Holy Mosque and the offering, detained so as not to reach its place of sacrifice. If it had not been for certain men believers and certain women believers whom you knew not, lest you should trample them, and there befall you guilt unwittingly on their account (that God may admit into His mercy whom He will), had they been separated clearly, then We would have chastised the unbelievers among them with a painful chastisement.
When the unbelievers set in their hearts fierceness, the fierceness of pagandom, then God sent down His Shechina upon His Messenger and the believers, and fastened to them the word of godfearing to which they have better right and are worthy of; and God has' knowledge of everything.
God has indeed fulfilled the vision He vouchsafed to His Messenger truly 'You shall enter the Holy Mosque, if God wills, in security, your heads shaved, your hair cut short, not fearing.' He knew what you knew not, and appointed ere that a nigh victory." Surah 4824-26These are my beliefs based off of study of the Quran.
Study the Quran diligently, and do not depend on my opinion. Ask Allah to guide you. He explains the Quran.May Allah increase the believers in knowledge.
Peace.
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You are also giving me the strongest impression that if you had the chance that you would rewrite the Quran and replace the word 'Baaka' with 'Mecca' and also replace 'almasjidi al-aqsa ' mentioned in Sura 171 with the temple of Jerusalem.
You add slander to your burden of sins.
You do not know me, you do not know the unseen, and you are not possessor of knowledge as to what I would or would not do. You speak conjecture and you ascribe that I would tamper with the revelation of the Quran in the same manner the People of the Book tampered with their revelations. You speak a manifest calumny.I seek refuge in Allah from the whispers of accursed satans. Surah 7200, 4056
"Those who dispute concerning the signs of God, without any authority come to them, in their breasts is only pride, that they shall never attain. So seek thou refuge in God; surely He is the All-hearing, the All-seeing." Surah 4056
Since you cannot speak to me without insult, insinuation, or invalidation, I see no reason to continue speaking to you.
Bring proof or keep silent. It's wiser.
Until then, this conversation is over.I seek refuge in Allah from being among the ignorant. Surah 267
Peace.
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Let's reexamined by what does it mean by "Qibla"..
The common / general understanding is that "Qibla" is the 'direction to face for prayer'...
Which I believe is a fallacy / a mistake.
Given the earth has a round shape.. and let's assume that everyone should face Jerusalem or Mekka for prayer..
For somebody who is located in Hawaii.. both Jerusalem and Mekka will be more or less right under his/her feet, as thus to really face Jerusalem or Mekka he/she need to face down straight to the ground.Any thoughts?
Salam / Peace
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You add slander to your burden of sins.
WOW! I didn?t know that having just an impression of someone was committing slander. I always thought that slander meant falsely accusing someone of something. Please tell me that English is not your native language or that you drank too much coffee today.