I would like to define the word altar first; altar from the Latin word altare, meaning "burnt offering", to worship, to offer sacrifice. Altars can be located in temples.
This text will give proof in the Torah and compared the evidence that Al Quran states that Abraham and Ishmael rebuilt and purified the Holy Kaabah in Mecca.
TORAH:
Book of Genesis:
1) Altar in Si'-chem, Israel
References: Genesis 12: 6-7
And Abram passed through the land unto a place of Si'-chem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land,
And the Lord appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the Lord, who appeared unto him.
2) Altar in Beth-el, Israel
References: Genesis 12:8
And he (Abram) removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Beth-el, and pitched his tent, having Beth-el on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the Lord (Most High), and called upon the name of the Lord (Most High).
3) Altar in Hebron, Israel
References: Genesis 13:18
Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is Hebron, and built there an altar unto the Lord (Most High).
4) Altar of Mount Moriah (Jerusalem, Israel), or known as the following names: Haram, Haram Ash-Sharif, The Noble Sanctuary, Temple Mount.
References: Genesis 22: 1-2; Genesis 22:9
And it came to pass after these things, that God (Most High) did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.
And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, who thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains, which I will tell thee of.
Genesis 22:9
And they came to the place which God (Most High) had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.
Now to Al-Quran
References: Surah 2: 125-127 (Al Baqarah)
from the Abdullah Yusef Al Edition that is authorized by the Islamic government of Saudi Arabia.
Remember We made the House (125)
A place of assembly for men
And a place of safety;
And take the Station
Of Abraham as a place
Of prayer; and We convenanted
With Abraham and Ismail,
That they should sanctify
My house for those who
Compass it round, or use it
As a retreat, or bow, or
Prostrate themselves (therein 126
In Prayer).
And remember Abraham said:
"My Lord, make this a City
Of Peace,127 and feed its People
With fruits128- such of them
As believe in Allah and the
Last Day".
He said: " (Yea), and such as
Reject Faith- for a while
Will I grant them their pleasure,
But will soon drive them
To the torment of Fire-
And evil destination (indeed) !
Reference footnotes from Quranic verses:
125: The Ka`bah, the House of Allah. Its foundation goes back by Arab tradition to Abraham. Its fourfold charcter is here referred to 1) It was the centre to which all the Arab tribes resorted for trade, for poetic contests, and for worship. 2) It was sacred territory, and was respected by friend and foe alike. At certain seasons, all fightings was and is forbidden within its limits, and even arms are not allowed to be carried, and no game or other thing is allowed to be killed. Like the Cities of Refuge under the Mosaic Dispensation, to which manslayers could flee (Numbers, xxxv.6), or the Sanctuaries in Mediaeval Europe, to which criminals could not be pursed. Makkah (Mecca) was recognised by Arab custom as inviolable for the pursuit of revenge or violence. 3) It was a palce of prayer: even today there is a Station of Abraham 4) It must be held pure and sacred for all purposes.
127: the root salama in the word Islam implies (among other ideas) the idea of Peace and therefore when Makkah (Mecca) is the city of Islam, it is also the City of Peace. The same root occurs in the latter part of the name Jerusalem, the Jewish City of Peace. When the day of Jerusalem passed (see verse 134 or 141 below). Makkah (Mecca) became the "New Jerusalem"- or rather the old and original "City of Peace" restored and made universal.
128: The territory of Makkah (Mecca) is barren and rocky, compared with, say, Taif, a city to the east of Makkah (Mecca).
A prayer for the prosperity of Makkah (Mecca) therefore includes a prayer for the good things of material life.
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Friday, August 20th 2010 at 8:20PM
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