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Abraham A.S And Mecca
AoA.
Please guide, is there any evidence other than quran and islamic literature about visit of Hazrat Ibrahim at Mecca n building Kaaba. It is said that in Christian n Jewish literature there is no mention of his visiting mecca. Also is there any other historical, scientific or archeological proof of this fact.
JazakAllah
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Abraham A.S And Mecca
updated 8 hours, 20 minutes ago
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The Midrash says the covenant of circumcision (Genesis 17:10-14), included an altar built by Abraham (pbuh) and Ishmael (pbuh). This altar was built 40 years before the altar that Abraham (pbuh) built with Isaac (pbuh) in Jerusalem. The location of this altar with Ishmael (pbuh) is not mentioned, but it was in a very hot place, and when God sent three angels to Abraham (pbuh), he thought they were Arab traders.
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The altar is mentioned in Pirkei d’Rabbi Eliezer on Genesis 17. The location being hot and Abraham (pbuh) thinking at first that the angels were Arab traders is recorded in Rashi on Genesis 17.
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To further explore the connection between Abraham and the Kaaba, let’s examine some non-Islamic sources:
Jewish Traditions
1. Midrash: The Midrash describes the covenant of circumcision, which included an altar built by Abraham and Ishmael. Although the location is not specified, it’s intriguing to note the connection between Abraham, Ishmael, and an altar.
2. Talmud: The Talmud (Yoma 10a) mentions that Abraham built an altar in the desert, but the exact location is not provided.
Christian Traditions
1. Syriac Christian Tradition: The Syriac Christian writer, Ephrem the Syrian (306-373 CE), wrote about the Kaaba in his work “Commentary on Genesis.” He described it as a place of worship built by Abraham and Ishmael.
2. Byzantine Christian Sources: The Byzantine Christian historian, Procopius of Caesarea (500-565 CE), mentioned the Kaaba in his work “History of the Wars.” Although he didn’t explicitly connect it to Abraham, he described it as a sacred place of worship for the Arabs.
Archaeological and Historical Records
1. Inscriptions and Coins: Archaeological findings, such as inscriptions and coins, provide evidence of the Kaaba’s existence and importance as a center of worship in pre-Islamic Arabia.
2. Pre-Islamic Arabian Traditions: Historical records suggest that the Kaaba was a revered site in pre-Islamic Arabia, associated with the worship of multiple deities.
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Pirkei d’Rabbi Eliezer mentions the altar built by Abraham in the context of Genesis 17.
This chapter describes the covenant between God and Abraham, which includes the promise of a son, Ishmael, born to Abraham through Hagar.
Geographical Context
Rashi’s commentary on Genesis 17 describes the location as a hot desert environment, where Abraham mistakes the angels for Arab traders. This geographical detail aligns with the Arabian Peninsula, where the Kaaba is located.
Abraham and Ishmael’s Altar
The altar mentioned in Pirkei d’Rabbi Eliezer is built by Abraham, and given the context of Genesis 17, it is likely that Ishmael, his son, was involved in its construction. This altar can be seen as a precursor to the Kaaba, which is also believed to have been built by Abraham and Ishmael.
Continuity of Tradition
The narrative threads from Pirkei d’Rabbi Eliezer and Rashi’s commentary weave together to create a compelling case. These sources demonstrate a continuity of tradition, where Abraham and Ishmael’s actions are remembered and revered across different faith communities.
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Ephrem the Syrian’s Testimony
Ephrem the Syrian, a renowned Syriac Christian writer, explicitly mentions the Kaaba in his “Commentary on Genesis.” He describes it as a place of worship built by Abraham and Ishmael. This testimony is significant, as it:
1. Pre-dates Islamic tradition: Ephrem’s work predates the emergence of Islam by centuries, making his account an independent, non-Islamic testimony.
2. Corroborates biblical narrative: Ephrem’s commentary connects the Kaaba to the biblical story of Abraham and Ishmael, reinforcing the idea that the Kaaba’s origins are rooted in the biblical tradition.
3. Provides geographical context: As a Syriac Christian writer, Ephrem’s familiarity with the region and its traditions lends credibility to his account of the Kaaba’s location in Mecca.
Historical Significance of Ephrem’s AccountEphrem’s testimony highlights the importance of the Kaaba as a sacred site, even in pre-Islamic times. This account:
1. Demonstrates continuity of tradition:
Ephrem’s commentary shows that the Kaaba’s connection to Abraham and Ishmael was recognized across different faith communities, even before the advent of Islam.
2. Supports the Abrahamic origins of the Kaaba:
By linking the Kaaba to Abraham and Ishmael, Ephrem’s account reinforces the idea that the Kaaba’s origins are rooted in the biblical tradition.
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JazkaAllah . Please convey it to Ghamidi sb and their team to address this topic.
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