Muslims believe Ibrahim built the Kaaba in Mecca. “And when Ibrahim and Ismail raised the foundations of the House …” (Qs 2:127). But do you know that the evidence does not say that? One must first learn the evidence before believing.
Ibrahim Lived 2,500 Years Before Mecca
Ibrahim and Ismail lived around 2000 – 1900 B.C. Mecca was built around 400 A.D. According to historical documents, the Khuzaa’h tribe from Yemen built Mecca. Abu Karb Asa’d led this, when he reigned over Yemen in 410-435 A.D. The Black Stone first appeared in Muhammad’s grandfather’s era between 495-520 A.D. So the time between when Ibrahim lived and when Mecca was built is more than 2,500 years.
Ibrahim and Ismail Never Went to the Arabian Peninsula
According to the Taurat, God commanded Ibrahim to leave his country, Ur (in Iraq). He told him to move to Canaan (in Israel/Palestine). Ibrahim lived there until he died. He was buried in the Machpelah Cave in Hebron in Israel/Palestine (Taurat, Genesis 22). The distance between Hebron and Mecca is about 1,400 km.
Ismail never went to the Arabian Peninsula either. The Taurat testifies that “ . . . he settled in the wilderness of Paran. His mother arranged for him to marry a woman from the land of Egypt” (Genesis 21:21).
What are the Muslim Expert’s Opinions?
Some Muslim experts do reject the assumption that Ibrahim and Ismail built the Kaaba. Taha Hussein said, “This is something really clear because the Kaaba was a new structure that was built before Islam existed. Islam uses it for religious reasons.”
W. Aliyudin Shareef wrote, “Before the era of Islam, Ismail was never mentioned as the father of the Arabs.” If Ismail was not recognized as the father of the Arabs, he didn’t build the Kaaba. If all of the above information is true, then Ibrahim and Ismail did not build the Kaaba.
What was Ibrahim’s Ultimate Hope?
The Taurat says that Ibrahim obeyed the true God. He hoped in the coming of Isa Al-Masih. Isa once said, “Your father, Abraham, rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; He saw it and was glad” (Injil, John 8:56). So, to follow Ibrahim’s faith, we must follow the living Word of God, who is Isa Al-Masih.
[We invite you to visit us at https://www.isaandislam.com/way-of-salvationto learn more about God’s gift of Salvation. God loves you and waits to hear from you. Isa clearly said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (Injil, John 14:6). For a deeper understanding of Isa, we suggest you subscribe to “Isa, Islam, and Al-Fatiha” at this link.]
SOME QUESTIONS FOR THE COMMENT SECTION BELOW
We encourage our readers to comment on the article above. Comments that don’t directly relate to the topic will be removed. Please start a dialogue with us by focusing on one of the following questions:
- If Ibrahim and Ismail did not build the Kaaba, it is not the House of God. So, whose house is it?
- If the Kaaba wasn’t built by Ibrahim, should Muslims pray facing the direction of the Kaaba?
- Why does the Quran give the impression that it was Ibrahim and Ismail who built the Kaaba, even though historically it can’t be proven?
If you have a question regarding this article, please contact us by clicking this link.
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No more evidence is needed when it’s written in the Quran.
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It is very clear that Ibrahim and Ismail died before Islam started. Therefore, it’s impossible for them to build the Kaaba.
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“Show us the straight way. The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked [Your] anger or of those who are astray” (Quran, Al-Fatiha 6,7). Those who are astray refer to Christians.
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Idris,
Al-Fatiha (the first chapter of the Quran) is the most revered and recited prayer by Muslims who are seeking God’s guidance to the Straight Way. Who is this Straight Way according to the Quran?
The answer is written in Surah 43:61, “And (Jesus) shall be a Sign (for the coming of) the Hour (of Judgment): therefore have no doubt about the (Hour), but follow ye Me: this is a Straight Way.”
Therefore anyone who rejects the Straight Way & the Sign of Allah (Jesus) will perish. It’s written in Surah 10:95, “Nor be of those who reject the signs of Allah, or thou shalt be of those who perish.”
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Isa or Jesus is only a messenger not God.
“She said, How shall I have a son, whom no mortal has touched, neither have I been unchaste. He said, Even so thy Lord has said: Easy is that for Me; and that We may appoint him a sign unto men and a mercy from Us. It is a thing determined.
(Surah Miriam 19:20-21).”
“Say, “He is God, the One. God, the Absolute. He begets not, nor was He begotten. And there is nothing comparable to Him” (Surah Al-Ikhlas).” This is a clear statement by God describing Himself to humanity without any room for confusion. God is One and is exalted above everything He creates.
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Hanif,
Contrary to your statement, Quran writes that Isa [Jesus] is not only a messenger of Allah but most importantly Isa [Jesus] is the Holy Son who is the appointed Sign to mankind and mercy from Allah (Surah Maryam 19:19-21).
Isa [Jesus] is the Messiah [Savior] who is held in high honor nearest to Allah and Righteous (Surah Imran 3:45-46). Therefore, everyone is commanded to obey Isa and fear Allah because Isa shall be the Sign for Judgement Day and there is no doubt about it (Surah Zukhruf 43:61).
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If it is not true, then it is a lie. And the Quran tells you this lie. Muslims believe in the Quran and say it is from God. So which is correct? God will never tell lie. God give this the Quran to Muslim.
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Hello Bernard Sim,
We appreciate your believe and your faith in Allah. It’s not wrong to study more and more as long as we live whether we are standing on the true foundation. That’s all what I can say.
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Al quran is correct. Allah is most knowing. Man is too weak to explore ancient history. Man has limited knowledge. There is no doubt that Ibrahim and Ismail built the kaabah. Enemy of islam tried hard to disapprove al quran but failed.
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Ahmad Othman,
What and where are the evidence to show that Al Quran is correct?
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If you’ve plan to come up with a fake story to reject the Kaaba can you also come with another story to kick away the zazam water Hajara gave to Ishmael? At list that water is located in Arab.
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Dear Abdul,
Thank you for your comment. If you believe this is a fake story, then how do you explain the great distance of 1,400 km between Canaan/Hebron and Mecca? Is there any proof Abraham traveled that far? Can you provide any proof that the Kaaba existed before 300 A.D.? Or can you please provide some historical or archaeological evidence suggesting Mecca even existed before 300 A.D.?
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Quran is a word of Allah and the truth. When it says that Ibrahim & Ismail (AS) built Makkah to make their prayers and to bless it then there is absulotely no doubt about it.
Kindly do not confuse yourself & others and ruin your Akhirah.
Thank you! Jazakumullah khair
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Jazakumullah khair,
When the fact and evidence don’t support the statement, then it is a false teaching that leads to the wrong path and destination
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There is no historical evidence that Abraham or Ishmael visited Mecca and the Kaaba existed prior to 400 AD. However, there is historical evidence that the Islamic claims are false.
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If Abraham and Ishmael built the Kaaba, then how did Abraham worship in the Kaaba or pray? Did he perform ablution or face Kaaba? Why did he build it when he already communed with God and already built altars?
What then happened to Kaaba afterwards? Why didn’t Isaac and other descendants of Abraham talk about it? At what period in history did it become house of idols?
The Quran, written after Muhammad death, has no answer to these historical questions. Muhammad ought to have destroyed the stone during conquest of Mecca since Muslims worship in mosques. Is praying in a mosque not enough? Do Muslims need to continue the idol practice of Kaaba worshippers like tawaf, ihram, etc? No, Kaaba and it’s hajj practices are not needed for the one true God in heaven. Koran writers cant change history.
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Claims must be backed by evidence to prove it is the truth.
Will Muslims believe without evidence that Muhammad who was born in 570 AD created the world? How Christ would have performed Islamic ablution when there was no Islam then? Such claims are anachronistic and false without historical evidence.
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Most of those who try to cast doubt in the Quran do not understand that Islam did not begin with Muhammad.
If they understand that Islam came when Adam came to Earth, perhaps they can understand a bit. Whoever built the Kaabah is open to interpretation. You are not wrong if you believe that Ibrahim built the Kaabah.
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Hello, thanks for your comment. Could you please explain further about your interpretation that Ibrahim built the Kaabah?
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Who was selected to sacrifice by Ibrahim, Isaac or Ismail?
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Abraham, Isa and Muhammad were all human beings. None of them is Allah. They were all prophets whom were sent by the same Allah.
Taurat was not present in the original form. It was destroyed by Bakht Nassar. The Bible was destroyed by St Paul who introduced the concept of Trinity. There are more than 80 bibles written by as many people. The Quran is preserved. You will not see any difference in the Quran from England, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Australia. etc. So logically what the Quran says is correct
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Thanks for your comment. Just one question, how do you reconcile with this Quran’s verse “… the words of God do not change …” (Qs 10:64)?
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Ibrahim & Ismail never died before Islam! Islam has existed since Adam & Eve! Islam was always there. Allah says that (Real) religion is always the one. People divided it created their own path.
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Hello,
Thanks for your comment. But I couldn’t agree with it. Islam was born in about 7th Century! Also, what’s the real religion? Allah doesn’t create religion. He has His Own Way!