Mekka/Bakka and brother Layth

unknownuser

Dear Brother
In one thread you put
Quote from Layth on Yesterday at 060423 AM

Here is my summary on the subject and I wish you find peace in whatever path you take

Quran tells us Hajj is to a place called Bakka (396) ? Bakka is recorded as being a name for the approach to Mt. Zion in Jerusalem; - Quran tells us that Abraham was charged with rebuilding the shrine and calling to the pilgrimage once again (2226-27) ? Previous recipients of the Scripture and their Scriptures all acknowledge the gathering in Jerusalem, but none have ever heard of Mecca Arabia;
Quran tells us the situation/station of Abraham is located at this site (397) ? Jerusalem has the rock where Abraham supposedly was about to sacrifice his son located on the temple mount, whereas Mecca Arabia has some so-called footprints enclosed in brass;
Quran tells us that that the location of the pilgrimage is on a high place hence people are approaching it from lower/deep enclosures (2227) ? Jerusalem?s temple mount is on a high place, while the temple in Mecca Arabia is at the base of the valley ? common for temples constructed for idol worship during those days;
Quran tells us that olives grew at the ?peaceful town? where the prophet was (951-3) ? Jerusalem is abundant in olive trees, while Mecca Arabia has none;
Quran tells us that a place called Mecca was an obstacle in the way to reaching the restricted temple in Bakka (4824);
Quran tells us the Qibla was changed twice (2142-144), once away from the restricted temple (as a test) and then back to it again ? the idolworshippers until today acknowledge that the first Qibla was Jerusalem, but they refuse to acknowledge that there was ever a change back;
The restricted temple has been made off-limits to the idolworshippers since the time of the prophet (92 ? Yet, Mecca Arabia is infested with idolworshippers until today, while the temple mount in Jerusalem has not called the pilgrimage to it and therefore has not received anyone for just as long;
The controversy and doubt over Mecca were evident in the early days after the prophet?s death whereby the kaaba in Mecca was catapulted and destroyed by an Islamic army while the temple in Jerusalem was honored and upgraded.
Evidence exists showing mosques built after the death of the prophet with their Qiblas aligned towards Jerusalem ? not Mecca (Cook & Crone).

There are probably a few more points I missed, but you get the idea.

To you is your system and to me is mine.

Just curious about the evidence about "Bakka"
Which word in the aya you translated as "high place" for location of pilgrimage?
Regards

Jack

Here Leo,

http//free-minds.org/articles/quranic/hajj.htm

unknownuser

Here Leo,

http//free-minds.org/articles/quranic/hajj.htm

Here is the copy pasting of this site (location of pilgrimage)

The first Sanctuary established for the people is the one in Bakk?a, blessed, and a guidance for the worlds. In it are clear signs the place of Abraham. And whoever enters it will be secure. And God is owed from mankind to make Pilgrimage to the Sanctuary, whoever can make a path to it. And whoever rejects, then God has no need of the worlds.? (Quran 396-97)

Aerial Photograph of Mecca - Arabia

The Quran identifies the first place for the Pilgrimage as ?Bakk?a?. Now, while Mecca and Bakk?a may rhyme, they are clearly not the same name. Many Muslims have claimed that Mecca used to be known as Bakk?a, but that its name was later changed. Now, this presents a problem to any student of the Scripture as no verification is able to be made that this was indeed the case of a ?name change?. Looking at ancient maps from the time of the Prophet (from Roman times or otherwise) there is no indication that what is today called ?Mecca? has ever carried the name ?Bakk?a?.

Photograph of Jerusalem (Dome of the Rock)

The mystery further deepens when we look to Islamic history itself and the claim that they (the Muslims) used to assemble towards Jerusalem for a number of years and then the focal point (Qibla) was changed to Mecca. Until today, the Muslims refer to Jerusalem as the ?first of the two Qiblas? (Uwla Al-Qiblatain).

If Abraham had called people to Mecca in Arabia, and if he had established the first true monotheistic system/government in that location, then what would explain the reason that the Prophet and his early followers were facing Jerusalem and gave their backs to Mecca for many years. Even if we were to discount this history as being ?fabricated?, then why do we have Roman history recording that the man named ?Jesus? was preaching to Jerusalem and its inhabitants and not Mecca in Arabia?. Why also do we have the Jews giving priority to Jerusalem and not even recognizing or hearing of Mecca in their Scriptures (surely they were also performing Pilgrimage at one point in time, so have they forgotten?).

Now, while many of Islam?s thinkers are willing to brush aside this historical ?anomaly?, we believe it is our duty to be more meticulous using the one source we have always relied on for truth ?Quran?.

Would you please highlight the name of "name of Mt. of Zion" in it and its reference to some authenticated source?
Thanks