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Mecca: Difference between revisions
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Van Putten<ref>Marijn van [https://www.academia.edu/71626921/Quranic_Arabic_From_its_Hijazi_Origins_to_its_Classical_Reading_Traditions_Studies_in_Semitic_Languages_and_Linguistics_106_ Putten]. See especially pages 118, 120, 122, and footnote 32 on page 146.</ref> has argued in detail that the dialect of the Quran is Hijazi rather than Nabatean, but this is of doubtful relevance to the Mecca/Petra debate. It is uncontroversial that the first official edition of the Qur'an was produced under Uthman at Medina, so it would have been natural to use the local dialect<ref>According to al Bukhari, Uthman ordered the use of the Hijazi dialect. Hadith [https://sunnah.com/bukhari/66/9 4987]. Which suggests that it had to be imposed.</ref>. | Van Putten<ref>Marijn van [https://www.academia.edu/71626921/Quranic_Arabic_From_its_Hijazi_Origins_to_its_Classical_Reading_Traditions_Studies_in_Semitic_Languages_and_Linguistics_106_ Putten]. See especially pages 118, 120, 122, and footnote 32 on page 146.</ref> has argued in detail that the dialect of the Quran is Hijazi rather than Nabatean, but this is of doubtful relevance to the Mecca/Petra debate. It is uncontroversial that the first official edition of the Qur'an was produced under Uthman at Medina, so it would have been natural to use the local dialect<ref>According to al Bukhari, Uthman ordered the use of the Hijazi dialect. Hadith [https://sunnah.com/bukhari/66/9 4987]. Which suggests that it had to be imposed.</ref>. | ||
Dan Gibson<ref>Most recently in ''[https://nabataea.net/explore/founding_of_islam/ Let the Stones Speak]''</ref> has recently provided both an alternative to the Mecca hypothesis and new evidence, by measuring the orientations of early mosques. The Quran orders Muslims to face the Holy Mosque ({{Quran|2|144}}), and the accepted interpretation is that they must face Mecca when praying. As an aid, mosques are built facing Mecca. Which is to say, the prayer wall is built perpendicular to a straight line to Mecca, and worshippers face this wall. The question then is in which direction are early mosques orientated? And if not to Mecca, when did it change? | Dan Gibson<ref>Most recently in ''[https://nabataea.net/explore/founding_of_islam/ Let the Stones Speak]''</ref> has recently provided both an alternative to the Mecca hypothesis and new evidence, by measuring the orientations of early mosques. The Quran orders Muslims to face the Holy Mosque ({{Quran|2|144}}), and the accepted interpretation is that they must face Mecca when praying<ref>As Ohlig points out, praying is not in the original Arabic, but is added by all translators except Arberry. See ''From'' Muhammad ''Jesus to the'' ''Prophet of the Arabs'', section 6.5 ''The direction of prayer (Qibla)'', pp 300 to 304, in Karl-Heinz Ohlig ed. ''Early Islam'' (2013).</ref>. As an aid, mosques are built facing Mecca. Which is to say, the prayer wall is built perpendicular to a straight line to Mecca, and worshippers face this wall. The question then is in which direction are early mosques orientated? And if not to Mecca, when did it change? | ||
Gibson has found that the earliest mosques face Petra rather than Mecca, but there was a gradual reorientation to Mecca over a period of centuries. Which suggests that the original Holy Mosque of Islam was at Petra, but was then changed to Mecca for political reasons, presumably encouraged by earthquakes at Petra. | Gibson has found that the earliest mosques face Petra rather than Mecca, but there was a gradual reorientation to Mecca over a period of centuries. Which suggests that the original Holy Mosque of Islam was at Petra, but was then changed to Mecca for political reasons, presumably encouraged by earthquakes at Petra. | ||