One of the most awe-inspiring sights in religion: Hundreds of thousands of Muslims gather at Mecca for Ramadan

[Staashi 371]

Sorry, you typed all that for nothing. My reference to Genesis was about God's promise to create a great nation from the legacy of Ishmael. I was not referring to the difference between the Christian view and the Muslim view of which son Abraham was directed to sacrifice. I wasn't making an argument at all about that point.

I have always seen Abraham's relationship with his sons as being the Father of the Twelve Tribes of Israel (Isaac) and the Twelve Tribes of Ishmael (which became the foundation of Islam).

[_Simpson_ 250]

Can't you imagine how messed up the interpersonal dynamics were in that family? I mean, Abraham was married to Sarah, and then she couldn't have kids, so he had one with Sarah's maid, then Sarah gets pregnant after Ishmael (being raised thus far as "The" son) is old enough to mock things and suddenly "The" son is someone else....

It's not that far of a stretch for the descendants of each to have been taught that they were really the special ones, is it?

[웃 910]

The most important shrine established for the people is the one in Becca; a blessed beacon for all the people. In it are clear signs: the station of Abraham. Anyone who enters it shall be granted safe passage. The people owe it to God that they shall observe Hajj to this shrine, when they can afford it. As for those who disbelieve, GOD does not need anyone. [Quran 3:96-97]

The Cliff Notes version is, the Ka'aba is a stone building believed to be the first sanctified house for the worship of the One God. Because of that distinction, it is the holiest site in Islam, the point on the globe (qibla) toward which every practicing Muslim prostrates five times a day in prayer (Quran 2:144). A reconstruction of the Ka'aba by the Prophets Abraham and Ishmael* (pbut), is recounted in the Quran. At some point after that, pagans appropriated the Ka'aba and desecrated it with idols, using it to make Mecca into a wealthy religious and commercial center for the pagan community. In 630 A.D., Muslims, lead by the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), Muslims defeated the pagans during a series of battles and rededicated the Ka'aba to monotheism, and it has been treated as sacred ever since.

I hope that helps.

The million dollar question is how many times have you been to the Ka'aba, Sofiyya? It sounds like a very cool place, and I know you must have been there at least a few times since you used to study/live in the area...Just curious.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

Correction: Mecca is not the birthplace of Islam. That would be the Garden of Eden. BTW, before Muslims were directed to pray toward Mecca, they prayed toward Jerusalem.

Muslim's prayed towards the city of of the Jews ? Nice

[Sofiyya 1,687]

Ok.

I would like to know how the Judeo-Christian belief is that it was Isaac and how the Islamic belief is Ishmael. If you could provide some insight, I'd appreciate it. If not, that's fine as well.

Off hand, I don't have any insight about that, sorry. It's not something I've thought much about.

The million dollar question is how many times have you been to the Ka'aba, Sofiyya? It sounds like a very cool place, and I know you must have been there at least a few times since you used to study/live in the area...Just curious.

I've been to Mecca a number of times over the 20+ years I lived and worked in Arab and North African countries. It's changed over time and is actually becoming more cosmopolitan under government plans to improve the infrastructure and accommodations for residents and visitors.

Muslim's prayed towards the city of of the Jews ? Nice

It's a city long cherished and occupied by Jews, Christians and Muslims. The reason why Muslims used to pray toward it is because the Al-Aqsa Mosque is also a sacred site which has great significance in Islamic theology.