Pre-Islamic Arab Religion in Islam: Difference between revisions

The Prophet [[Muhammad]] discarded the 360 idols but retained for Islam, the Ka’aba with its [[Black Stone]], justifying it with the claim that [[Ibrahim|Abraham]] and [[Isma'il|Ishmael]] originally constructed it. However, there is no historical or archaeological evidence for the existence of the Ka’aba beyond a few hundred years before Muhammad's lifetime. In fact, the Quran contradict this connection between Abraham, Ishmael and the Ka’aba.  

The [[Qur'an|Quran]] says Abraham built it:

One hadith claims Muhammad says it was built 40 years prior to the Temple at Jerusalem:

The Temple at Jerusalem was built by Solomon around 958-951 BC. This implies that if Muhammad were to be believed, the Ka’aba must have been built approximately 998-991 BC. But Abraham is alleged to have lived around 2000 BC so both Abraham and Ishmael would have been dead by then.  

The traditions of the hadith and the Quran are mutually contradictory and do not align with other traditions about Abraham and Ishmael.  

Rather than being the creation of Abraham, Egyptian Professor and authority on Arabic literature, Dr. Taha Husayn, said the following:

Also, according to a sahih hadith of Bukhari, Muhammad even considered dismantling it:

Worship at the Ka’aba and the kissing of the Black Stone are according to the Islamic tradition one of many practices adopted from the 7^th century paganism of the Meccans and repackaged within monotheistic Islam.

The pagan gods of pre-Islamic Arabia were worshiped in the form of rectangular stones or rocks. For example, the pagan deity 'Al-Lat', mentioned in {{Quran|53|19}}, and believed by pre-Islamic pagans to be one of the daughters of Allah, was once venerated as a cubic rock at Ta'if in Saudi Arabia according to Islamic sources on the subject written after the rise of Islam. An edifice was built over the rock to mark it apart as a house of worship.  

The Black Stone seems to have been one among many stones and idols venerated at the Ka’aba by the pre-Islamic pagans of Arabia. The Black Stone was kissed during pre-Islamic pagan worship. Though Muhammad is asserted to have thrown out 360 other objects at the Ka’aba, he retained this Black Stone and continued the practice of kissing it. It is this same stone that the pre-Islamic pagans once kissed, that Muslims kiss today when visiting Mecca.

Zoroastrians are also expected to recite their (kusti) prayers at least five times a day having first cleansed themselves by washing ([[ablution]]). These Islamic practices show Zoroastrian influence.<ref>Bowker, John, The Oxford Dictionary of World Religions, New York, Oxford University Press, 1997, pp. 763-764</ref> But, contrary to the Muslims, Zoroastrians pray in the direction of the Sun (at each time of the day) and/or of the Holy Fire (if they are in a Fire Temple). <ref>Joseph H. Peterson - [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.avesta.org/ka/gahs.htm|2=2011-05-26}} GAHS (prayers for each period of the day)] - Avesta Zoroastrian Archives, accessed May 27, 2011</ref>

Muhammad's pagan tribe, the Quraish, fasted on the 10^th of Muharram. Though optional, Muhammad retained this practice from the pagan past too.   

Doing Tawaf between Safa and Marwa is an Islamic ritual associated with the pilgrimage to Mecca. Safa and Marwa are two mounts, located at Mecca. This ritual entails Muslims walking frantically between the two mounts, seven times. According to a hadith in Bukhari, this was originally a pagan pre-Islamic practice. Muhammad retained it for Islam, sanctioning it with yet another Qur'anic [[revelation]].<ref>"''Behold! Safa and Marwa are among the Symbols of Allah. So if those who visit the House in the Season or at other times, should compass them round, it is no sin in them. And if any one obeyeth his own impulse to good,- be sure that Allah is He Who recogniseth and knoweth.''" - {{Quran|2|158}}</ref>

This Hadith states that Muhammad adopted this pagan ceremony from the pre-Islamic "period of ignorance" and justified it with yet another convenient Qur'anic revelation.  

A tradition also exists about Hagar running between these two mounts in search of water until she found the [[Zamzam Well]].  

Ihram is a state a Muslim enters into for his pilgrimage to Mecca. It involves a series of procedures like ritual washing, wearing 'Ihram garments', etc. Ihram was according to Sahih Bukhari originally a pagan requirement for worshiping idols during pre-Islamic times. Muhammad retained this practice for Islam. Muslims assume Ihram to perform the Hajj or Umrah.  

[[w:circumambulation|Circumambulation]] is to go in circles around a particular object. In Islam, worshipers and pilgrims do this around the Ka'aba at Mecca. Pre-Islamic pagans are alleged to have done it to please the moon god [[Hubal]], the 360 deities and Allah (who was merely one among the many deities worshiped there). Muhammad himself used to do it, even before the 360 idols inside the Ka'aba were removed.  

Judaism and Christianity (the religions of those who are considered [[Islam and the People of the Book|People of the Book]]) do not practice ritual circumambulation to please God. Two other faiths which do are Hinduism and Buddhism, faiths which are accused by traditional Islam of “paganism” and practicing idolatry.

The Ka’aba, Islam's holiest shrine, has been a place where such pagan human sacrifices and slaughters have taken place for Hubal. When Muhammad founded Islam, according to Islamic sources he discarded Hubal and all the other pagan god. At the Battle of Badr, his enemy Abu Sufyan praised the high position of moon god Hubal, saying "O Hubal, be high". Muhammad asked his followers to yell back, "Allah is higher".<ref>"...''After that he started reciting cheerfully, "O Hubal, be high! (1) On that the Prophet said (to his companions), "Why don't you answer him back?" They said, "O Allah's Apostle What shall we say?" He said, "Say, Allah is Higher and more Sublime."''..." - ({{Bukhari|4|52|276}})</ref> This is supposed to be the origin of the commonly uttered phrase "Allahu Akbar" in Arabic.