The Moon Comes a Full Circle

maxq

DISCLAIMER

Although I have researched this topic and formulated a hypothesis that can be backed by evidence, this is analysis and opinion of a single individual...

I am only human and am prone to mistakes in judgement. It is better if the reader verifies the information I am presenting. I would be glad if someone corrects me if I have made a mistake.

At the turn of the 20th century, several theories emerged regarding the origins of the word Allah, and the relationship of this name with an alleged deity called Hubal, who several right-wing Christians claim is the "Moon-God". Propagated principally by Dr. Robert Morey, this theory has become quite the debate with the advent of the Internet. Foremost of these attacks seem to be geared at the fact that Muslims seem to have chosen the Crescent Moon as their symbol. Indeed, the crescent symbol is very popular among the Muslim populace, and several mosques even feature minarets with crescent moons. Naturally, this adds to the fueled questions from critics who are ever determined to reconcile Islam with Pagan Worship. This paper is meant to delve deep into this phenomenon, and try to sift out the truth.

Earliest Records of Moon Worship
The oldest, and perhaps the most popular of the Moon deities is the god Sn. This mysterious deity is alleged to have been worshipped from Babylon to the Sinai Peninsula. Together with other astral deities, this god seems to have enjoyed worship under different names from several Semitic, Mesopotamian and Egyptian peoples.

The status of Sn seems so great according to Biblical references that from 1900 BC to 900 BC, his name is witness to the forging of international treaties as the guarantor of the word of kings. The temple was restored by Shalmanester of Assyria in the 9th century BC, and again by Asshurbanipal. About 550 BC, Nabonidus the last king of Babylon, who originated from Harran, rebuilt the temple of Sn. His mother was high priestess at Harran and his daughter at Ur. Ironically his devotion to the Moon God caused a rift between him and his people and contributed to his defeat by the Cyrus the Great. The worship of the Moon God at Harran evolved with the centuries. It included the Temple of Rejoicing, and a set of temples of distinctive shape and colour dedicated to each of the seven planets as emissaries of this "astral" deity.

Ur of the Chaldees sometimes seem to call upon this god, Sn, as Nannar in tablets from that time period. At the Northernmost end of the Sumerian empire the city of Harran likewise had the Moon Deity as patron God, under the name of Sin. From about 2000 BC to 1200 AD Harran continued an evolving tradition of Moon God worship. Harran is the place of Abraham's family and ancestors and the centre of many of the early events of genesis, including the naming of Israel. As described in Ezekiel 2723, Harran along with Sheba and other cities were traders "in blue clothes and broidered work, in chests of rich apparel , bound with cords and made of cedar."

Did Arabs Worship Any Celestial Bodies?
It should also be interesting to note that indeed the Arabs worshipped the various celestial bodies, such as the Sun and Venus. According to recent studies, even the alleged Ka'bah is a cube dedicated to Allat (name of Ephrodite/Venus as mentioned in the Quran) has the affixed Aswad (black) rock such that it directly orients to the Sunrise of the Winter Solstice. This is undoubtedly infers that what is being born is the new sun or year/life (very similar to NoRuuz in fact). In Abbasid accounts, names such as Abd of Al-Munaf (the negator) and Al-Shams (the sun god) have been alleged for Umayyad lineage.

Since the actual names of deities are also of particular interest for sake of authenticity sake, it should be noted here that the traditions and stories compiled outside of the Quran seem to mention a lunar god with names "Hilal" and "Hubal". The problem with this claim is that the principal source of such information, "The Book of Idols" by al-Kalbi, fails to mention them. This means that perhaps if these deities (both Hilal and Hubal) were ever worshipped, they may not have held much significance. A lunar deity named Al-Qamar seems more likely in this context, although not presented in Kalbi's book. Interestingly, Quranic accounts seems to be indicating this kind of worship, as can be observed in 4137,

Adore neither the sun nor the moon, but adore Allah Who created them, if it is Him you wish to serve.

Therefore, the claim that Hilal and Hubal were lunar deities that were ardently worshipped amongst pagans of the town of the exalted prophet, is totally baseless. Instead, the verse seems to indicate worship of celestial deities such as the sun "as-Shams" and the moon "al-Qamar".

Qamar Throughout? No Hilal?
While the above question is quite worthy of note, a more intriguing proposition is that the word Qamar has been used in chapter 36 to describe its stages. This word does not seem to be indicative of a crescent according to the traditional accounts. These claims seem to appropriate the word Hilal to differentiate between a crescent and Hubal, the full moon. To answer this question, a simple query of the Quran would suffice. The words Hilal and Hubal have never been used to indicate the crescent stage or full moon. Instead, we see the following content in verse 39 of chapter 36

And the moon We have measured for it phases until it becomes like an old curved date-stalk (crescent?).

Notice that the if the word Hilal were ever used to indicate the crescent in Classical Arabic, it would surely have been used instead of the lengthy description above. Nonetheless, if we were to contend that the above verse does not speak of the crescent, we are still left with the question as to why the word Hilal does not occur in its pure form in the Quran. In fact, if we translate the verses 2189 according to classical Arabic based on the root, we see

They ask you (O Messenger) about those (months) that follow (the month of abstinence)? Say, "They are timings for mankind (to prosper) and for the debate/renovation..."

In Classical Arabic the root HLL, and actually designates "those that follow" or "those which are dedicated to", while only the contextual meaning has been stated as "the crescent moon". So, the traditional translation does not seem to hold water when taken in the context of this word meaning a crescent moon. Therefore, if the crescent moon had a proper designation, the verse would mark out the name Hilal as (al-Qumuur il-Hilal) in 2189. Hence, it can be appreciated that the word Qamar has been used as a general term, and is not specifically indicative of "A Full Moon". Additionally, "Hilal" may not be the name of a stage of the moon in Classical Arabic, but perhaps in a sub-dialect. It might have been introduced into "Classical Arabic" with this meaning later during the time of the Caliphate.

The Moon, Torn?
An invariably mysterious verse speaks that "the moon shall be torn soon". It seems strange that the verse speaks of the moon as if it were a piece of cloth. This would perhaps mean that the moon being spoken of here is a symbol imprinted on a piece of fabric, such as a flag. Hence, the correct rendition of this verse of Chapter 54 of the Quran is as follows

The Revolution is fast approaching, and (the flag bearing) the moon is torn asunder.

There are two competing theories regarding the above verse

This verse hints that the Muslims will overcome the Quraish tribe, whose flag bore the Moon.
The Muslims will defeat the army of Byzantium (referred to as Ruum in the Quran), whose symbol was the crescent moon (which we have already determined could be denoted as al-Qamar).

The question one can raise regarding the flag of the Quraish, is that Abu-Sufyan, the chieftain of the entire Quraish tribe, was allegedly the grandson of Umayyah bin Abd-us Shams (slave/follower of the Sun). Furthermore, the flag of the Quraish tribe, according various accounts, seems to indicate a symbol of an eagle and not the moon; this is a major discrepancy. In addition, recent archaeological and anthropological research seems to assert that an Arab tribe called "Quraish" may have never existed, and that these accounts are possibly a fabrication. In fact, the Chapter in the Quran about the "Quraish" accordign to these sources does not seem to indicate that Quraish is a proper noun. Upon close examination of related Quranic verses in their entirety, it can thus be concluded that only the Romans/Byzantines have been spoken of in this way, as evident in 301-3,

ALM! The Romans have prevailed in the land nearby! But, very soon according to My Law, They will be overrun.

This in turn means that Chapter 54 is, in all certainty, speaking of Byzantium, and the prediction that Muslim forces will overcome them eventually. We observe a very distinct and reminiscent sign in Chapter 541. It is predicting Roman defeat at the hands of Arab forces at Tabuk, and this further reinforces Chapter 54. Furthermore, there is another sequence of verses (Chapter 81) that seem to indicate the another powerful kingdom also coming to an end

When the Sun is folded up.

In an ironic twist, the Persian flag boldly featured the symbol of the sun. It would hence seem very appropriate in terms of "poetic justice", that both monarchies are spoken of in this way.

A Shrewed Cover Up?
Amongst the 360 idols that were allegedly placed inside the Ka'bah, the idol of the Hubal or full moon enjoyed central attention. He is alleged to have been called (The Lord of Lords). When, according to traditional accounts, the Muslim army had conquered Mecca, the exalted prophet is said to have smashed all of the 360 idols (starting with Hubal.) However, the Aswad rock, that is said to have been an actual meteorite and venerated as a "piece of heaven itself", he retained to be set as a marker for the Tawaaf ritual.

According to archaeological research, Pagan Arabs used to worship idols made of clay, such as cubes, as well as rocks they thought to be sacred; they worshipped and circled around them several times (seven to be exact.) If the prophet was indeed following Allah, why would he keep a pagan stone even as a marker in a holy place and why would he not have it destroyed like the rest of the supposed 360 idols in the ka'bah? Moreso, the first idol to be brought down is that of Hubal (alleged as the full moon). It seems strange that the name of this deity is not mentioned in the Quran but Allat, Manat and Uzza are spoken of. Why destroy Hubal first and not the three "daughters" of Allah? Also, does the personality of the prophet as portrayed in the Quran even hint that he may be capable of destroying items of peoples' worship, even if they were idols? If indeed those idols existed, there is no shred of evidence in the form of inscriptions or documents to support their existence! Why is there such a discontinuity in these stories?

Arabic culture evolved from the Nabataeans, who indeed worshipped Allat and Uzza (both can be associated with Venus, and Allat especially with Ephrodite) along with Manat, and may have possibly worshipped the sun and the moon as well. There is no evidence suggesting a large number of idols (certainly not 360) from any of the Nabataean archaeological sites. The black stone and the cube seem themselves to be the only idols. This can be appreciated by observing that according to Greek mythology, Ephrodite (the hellenized Allat,) is said to have her beauty trapped in a black cube.

The accounts of 360 idols seems to be aimed at creating a "optical illusion" that diverts the attention of the masses, such that they do not pay attention at the Baityl (that is not the Ka'bah of the Quran) and the Aswad rock. These idols stand right before the pilgrims of the Hajj, who worship and venerate them; clever con indeed by those who have masterminded the accounts that blind millions today! The author is in awe realizing the height of human intelligence used in such negativity.

No Crescent Symbol in Islam!
As discussed in the preceding sections, the crescent moon was a symbol of Byzantium. In 670 BC, the citizens of Byzantium claimed the crescent moon as their state symbol, after a battle whose victory they attributed to Artemis, the Greek goddess of the hunt whose symbol was the crescent. However, the origin of the crescent moon and star as a symbol dates back much earlier - to ancient Babylon and ancient Egypt. Nevertheless, Byzantium was the first governing state to use the crescent moon as its national symbol. In 330 AD Constantine I added the Virgin Mary's star to the flag, which, perhaps is not a star but the symbol of Venus. To date the official flag of the Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem is a lavarum of white, with a church building with two towers, and on either side of the arms, at the top, are the outline in black of a crescent moon facing center, and stars with rays. Hence, the crescent moon and star have not completely abandoned by the Christian world after the fall of Constantinople.

It is contended that when the city of Byzantium/Constantinople fell to the Ottomans in 1453, they saw this flag with the Crescent and adopted it as their own. The Turkish Flag thus, and flags of many Muslim countries have adopted it after the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire.

Should We Continue to Use the Crescent Symbol?
The flag of the exalted prophet is said to have been a piece of black cloth... there were no symbols or iconography used in the early part of Islam, which is how it ought to be in the first place. It seems that as Muslim armies swept through various regions, they adopted their symbolism as well. Foremost example is that of the crescent, which seems to have been adopted after the establishment of the Ottoman "Islampol", now called the Turkish "Istanbul".

Today, many Muslim countries proudly feature the crescent and star (which is not a star, but the planet Venus) and associate it to Islam. The poets of Pakistan proudly cherish their flag as "Ae Sabz Hilali Parcham!" (O Crescent-bearing Green Flag!). Same goes with several mosques whose minarets boast crescent symbols that look like exact replicas of the steles of Nabonidus featuring Sn. How has it come to this?

The author's personal feeling is that the mass-adopted "symbol of Islam" is actually a sign from Allah and his never-ending law of cause and effect! In a subtle way, it is indicating that we have lost our way, opening the doors of attacks from various orientalists who are now challenging Islam based on origins that are not even real. The sad truth is that most Muslims do not even know how to answer these questions because of their continued ignorance and abandonment of the Quran, and relying on heresay and fabricated history for their explanations...

Synopsis

A lunar deity, if venerated by Pagan Arabs, was al-Qamar, and not Hilal or Hubal.
Hilal and Hubal are fabrications that were appropriated in either the late Umayyad period, or the early Abbasid era.
Several deities including Hubal and Hilal have been invented as decoys to divert attention from Allat and Dhu as-Sharah. This enabled the perpetrators to allow the idol of Allat (the cube) and Aswad (black stone) to be continued to be mass-worshipped under the "cloak" of Hajj even till today.
The crescent and star is by no means an Islamic Symbol. Those who feature and cleberate crescent on their creations, including flags, poems, calligraphy, mosques and religious content, thinking that they are depicting Islam, are in gross error. If they wish to continue its adoption, they must at least know its background and its roots.
The sun in Chapter 301-3 and moon in Chapter 811 refers to the Persians and Romans.
The mass-adoption of the crescent symbol by the muslim populace is, in the author's opinion, a sign from God telling us that we have lost our way, and that we must revert back the Quran!

References

Morris, Charles. Aryan Sun Myths The Origin of Religions. 1989
Fletcher, Richard. The Cross and the Crescent, Reprint, Penguin Paperbacks, USA, 2005
Ahmad, Shabbir. Quran as It Explains Itself, 2nd Ed. Galaxy Publications, USA, 2005
The Columbia Encyclopedia, Columbia University Press. 2004
http//free-minds.org/articles/history/ayman1.htm
http//www.free-minds.org/articles/science/language.htm
http//www.nabataea.net/who1.htm
http//www.biblebelievers.org.au/moongod.htm
http//www.bible.ca/islam/islam-photos-moon-worship-archealolgy.htm
http//www.studyquran.co.uk/PRLonline.htm

maxq

added a reference I forgot before...

unknownuser

maxq, while I do agree with you on your assessment of these symbols ( crescent moon,
Venus, Kaaba, etc..) as they are just further proofs of the idolatry and pagan influences which have , for the past 15 centuries , been coursing through the veins of those who call themselves "muslims" ; I do not agree with you on your interpretation of "moon is torn" and "sun is folded up".

You are saying that the moon and the sun in chapters 81 and 54 represent the Roman-Byzantine and the Persian empires respectively... However, this interpretation does not agree with the general context of the verses.

You see, I am a firm believer that one of the most powerful and logical tools that can be used to interpret the verses of God's Book is to simply let the Book explain itself
i.e to deduce the meaning of the verses from their general context ( and from other verses which talk about the same subject) and not to isolate a verse from the verses that come before and after it, nor to resort to extra-Quranic sources (like "hadiths&quot, to twist and corrupt the meanings of the verses. In fact, for the past few weeks i have been engaged in a heated argument on a Shia website (whose name shall not be mentioned herein ) about this subject in perticular. I was attemting to show them how they have corrupted the religion of Islam by twisting the meanings of the Quranic verses and giving them explanations which have nothing to do with their context, in order to suit the interests of their sect.

While keeping in mind this principle of contextual adherence, let's take a close look at the two verses you have mentioned

811 When the sun implodes.
812 And when the stars cannot be seen.
813 And when the mountains are made to move.
814 And when the reproduction is ended.
815 And when the beasts are gathered.
816 And when the seas are made to boil.
817 And when the souls are paired.
818 And when the girl killed in infancy is asked,
819 "For what crime was she killed?"
8110 And when the records are displayed.
8111 And when the sky is removed.
8112 And when Hell is ignited.
8113 And when Paradise is made near.
8114 Every soul will know what it had done!

Verses 1 through 14 of Chapter 81 are talking about the signs which are associated with Judgement Day. Note the refference to "the records" ( 8110). I think it's talking about the record of the deeds of every soul. I don't think it has anything to do with the fall of the Persian Empire. It just doesn't fit the context of the verses. ???

There are other very similar verses we can find elsewhere in the Reading that mention the same signs.

As for 541

The Hour draws near, and the moon is torn.

You are saying that it refers to the crescent moon banner of the Byzantine Empire?

I Have 2 questions here

-Why did you chose the word "torn" as the translation for "" ?
-What is meant by "the Hour"??

If you look at every verse of the Reading in which "the Hour" ( &#1577 appears, you will find that it always means the Hour of Judgement ( Judgement Day ).

Hence, the ( ) of the moon is one of the signs that will herald "the Hour".

The Quran uses the present tense sometimes when talking about future events. 541 is just an example of this phenomenon.

Here is another

The judgment for the people has come near, while they are turning away unaware.

I don't see any connection to the tearing of the crescent moon flag of the Byzantine Empire.

Peace...

maxq

Pazuzu, I agree with you but your interpretation is not the only one, observe

With the Glorious Name of Allah, the Instant All-Incompassing Source of Might and Mercy.
811 When the Sun is folded up. (When monarchies come to an end <- pointing back to what I was referring before).
812 And when the stars lose their glow. (When tribal dictatorships fall).
813 And when the mountains are moved (The great ones lose their stronghold 20105, 565, 7820).
814 And when the she-camels, ten months with the young, are abandoned. (A she-camel about to deliver the young has been a precious commodity, but the means of transportation will change).
815 And when the wild beasts are herded together. (The nomads and even the cannibals civilize and lead an organized collective life).
816 And when the seas bustle (with ships.)
817 And when the people intermingle. (The world becomes a smaller place).
818 And when the little girl that was buried alive is made to ask -
819 For what crime she was slain. (Womens rights will be restored).
8110 And when the papers are published widely.
8111 And when the sky is unveiled. (When mankind enters an age of space sciences and treking).
8112 And when the Blazing Fire is ignited. (The guilty are swiftly apprehended).
8113 And when the Paradise is brought near. (A glimpse of it shall be seen on earth - 7129, 3133 - it is not confined to the heavens).
8114 (It is then that) the human "self" shall recognize the true fruit of its labour.
8115 Behold, I call to witness those that have have disappeared from sight
8116 The stars that have risen and morphed to nothing (but a black hole,) which is how they were destined. (Like big/formidable empires, even stars eventually dwindle into nothingness.)
8117 And the Night as it slowly closes to an end.
8118 And the fresh breath of the morning (that this message, the Quran, will bring forth, 975).
8119 Behold, this indeed is the revealed Word in the dialect of a noble Messenger (6940).
8120 Strengthened by Him Who is enthroned in His Almightiness of Supreme Control.
8121 (The Messenger, and the message he brings you, is) to be obeyed an trusted.
8122 For, this fellow-man of yours is not a madman.
8123 And, indeed, he has found Wisdom at its highest horizon. (531-7).
8124 And he withholds not in secret the least bit of the Revelation.
8125 Nor is it the utterance of a rejected satanic force. (Such as desire).
8126 Which way, then, are you going?
8127 This Message is no less than a Reminder and giver of eminence to all mankind.
8128 Unto everyone of you who wills to walk aright. (15).
8129 But you cannot will it unless you abide by the Laws of the Lord of the Worlds. (48.

maxq

-What is meant by "the Hour"??

If you look at every verse of the Reading in which "the Hour" ( &#1577 appears, you will find that it always means the Hour of Judgement ( Judgement Day ).

Hence, the ( ) of the moon is one of the signs that will herald "the Hour".

The Quran uses the present tense sometimes when talking about future events. 541 is just an example of this phenomenon.

Here is another

The judgment for the people has come near, while they are turning away unaware.

I don't see any connection to the tearing of the crescent moon flag of the Byzantine Empire.

Hi Pazuzu,
This is a great question and I am so thankful you raised it... I am quoting 5441-46 (since 541 is in question) which will provide the answer

OurBeacon's rendition
5441 And warnings came indeed to Pharaohs people.
5442 They, too, denied Our Messages, every one. Thereupon We grasped them with the grasp of the Mighty, the Powerful.
5443 Are your deniers better than those others, or do you have some amnesty in the Scriptures?
5444 Or do they say, "We are a group united bound to be victorious?
5445 Yet, all these troops will be routed and will turn back and flee.
5446 Nay, the Hour is the time promised them, and that Hour will be most grievous with a most bitter defeat.

Free-minds' rendition
5441 And the warnings had come to the people of Pharaoh.
5442 They rejected all Our signs. So We took them, the taking of the Noble, the Able.
5443 Are your rejecters better than those? Or have you been absolved by the Scripture?
5444 Or do they Say "We are a large group and we will win."
5445 The large group will be defeated; they will turn around and flee.
5446 The Hour is their appointed time, and the Hour is far worse and more painful.

5441-42 - Notice the people are being spoken of, not just the Pharaoh. Egypt - A super power of its time

5443-44 - Who are being spoken of here? Notice the temporal description/tense. It is quite revealing! Someone from the exalted prophet's time?

5445-46 - Large number defeated (??) ... A battle perhaps? Which one? Where? How can we determine this from the Quran itself? Any clues? Perhaps the first verse of the Chapter itself among other places. Right?