|
where was mohammed? (Part 1)
Click to go to Part [1] [2]
[3] [4] [5]
[6]
Written by Layth (e-mail:
laytth@hotmail.com)
[DISCLAIMER:
THIS ARTICLE IS CONTROVERSIAL IN ITS FINDINGS AND ONLY REPRESENTS
THE VIEWS OF THE AUTHOR. IT MAY NOT REPRESENT THE VIEWS OF
OTHER FREE-MINDS MEMBERS. HOWEVER, IT HAS BEEN POSTED FOR
ITS THOUGHT-PROVOKING CONTENT]
Preface:
This article has been written with the intent of looking into
humankind's history through the legacy of the Patriarch
Abraham and some of the messengers that followed. The search
for the actual Mohammed will take us to several locations in
the Middle East, ending with conclusions that are quite different from today’s
perceived history.
---------------------------------
Over
1,400 years ago a new 'Scripture' was introduced to the World
which re-confirmed man's covenant with God and re-introduced the
laws of God that were similarly revealed to Abraham, Moses and
Jesus.
This
Scripture was known as the ‘Quran,’ and its recipient (an Arab
speaker) was to spread the word to all regions - starting with
his own.
“And this is a Scripture which We have sent down, blessed,
authenticating what is present with him, and that you may warn
the capital of the towns and those around it. And those who
believe in the Hereafter believe in it, and they are dedicated
to their contact-method.” (The Message 6:92)
This
new Prophet was Mohammed (see 48:29) , and in this article we
will attempt to separate 'Myth' from 'Reality' and piece
together the correct narration of where he lived, and where he
preached, from the Scripture itself...
Part I - History of Messengers.
The
revelations in the Scripture serve to provide us with much
information about communities of the past and about their lives
without which we would be left fumbling for information.
“We relate to you the best stories through what We have
inspired to you in this Quran; and before it you were of those
who were unaware.” (The Message 12:3)
1. Noah.
The first history we are
given in the Quran after our father Adam is the prophet Noah
with the incident of the
Great Flood. This was the time when all civilization on Earth
was simply 'wiped-out' and man-kind had to start again.
“They denied him (Noah), so We saved him and those with him in
the Ship, and We drowned those who denied Our revelations;
they were a blind people.” (The Message 7:64)
Thus, the slate was wiped clean.
“So We saved him (Naoh) and the people on the ship, and We
made it (the Ark) a sign for the worlds.” (The Message 29:15)
Although there is debate as to whether the flood was local or
global, the implications of a global flood would place the
history of Noah many millions of years back in Earth`s history
(see link on
Noah and the Great Flood).
2. 'Aad - People of Hud.
After Noah's community, the next nation that we hear about from
the Scripture being established is that of ‘Aad (Hud is there
messenger).
Hud
tells his people:
“Are you surprised that a reminder has come to you from your
Lord through a man from amongst you to warn you? And recall
that he made you successors after the people of Noah, and He
increased you in status. So recall God’s grace, that you may
succeed.” (The Message 7:69)
“As for ‘Aad, they turned arrogant on Earth, without any
right, and they said: “Who is mightier than us in strength?”
Did they not see that God, who created them, was mightier than
they in strength? And they were denying Our revelations.” (The
Message 41:15)
This
indicates to us that although other people may have been roaming
the Earth, ’Aad was a power unto its own which earned them the
status of a nation and earned them the right to be sent a
messenger (only nations large enough to have capitals are sent
messengers 28:60).
Ø
Their Punishment:
“Consequently, We sent upon them violent wind, for a few
miserable day, that We may let them taste the humiliating
retribution in this life, and the retribution of the Hereafter
is more humiliating; they can never win.” (The Message 41:16)
3. 'Thamud' - People of Saleh.
The
next in the line of Nations are the people of 'Thamud'.
“And recall that He made you (Thamud) successors after ‘Aad,
and He established you in the land so that you make palaces on
its plains, and you carve homes in the mountains. So recall
God’s grace, and do not roam the Earth as corrupters.” (The
Message 7:74)
In
the above verse, it is made clear to us that Thamud were taking
their homes in the mountains and the flat
of the Valley.
Ø
Their Punishment:
“And ‘Aad and Thamud (were annihilated). Much was made
apparent to you from their dwellings. The devil had adorned
their works in their eyes, thus he diverted them from the
path, even though they could see.” (The Message 29:38)
Recent evidence suggests that Thamud were located in the area of
north west Syria where the remains of a giant camel have been
found in accordance with the sign that the messenger Saleh
brought to his people (see link on
Saleh and Thamud).
4. Abraham.
Now
that we have seen the development of nations after Noah, we will
move on to the story of Abraham in which many developments take
place.
Ø
Abraham leaves the town he lived
in due to his people idolatry;
“And he (Abraham) said: “You have taken idols besides God in
order to preserve some friendship among you in this worldly
life. But then, on the Day of Resurrection, you will disown
one another, and curse one another. Your destiny is Hell, and
you will have no victors.” (The Message 29:25)
Ø
Abraham is shown the location of
the 'Shrine/Sanctuary';
“And We have appointed to Abraham the location of the
Sanctuary: “Do not set up anyone with Me, and purify My
Sanctuary for those who will partake, and those who will
enforce, and those who kneel and prostrate.” (The Message
22:26)
Ø
The Sanctuary is in a ‘blessed
land’ also called 'Bakka';
“The first Sanctuary established for the people is the one in
Bakk’a, blessed, and a guidance for the worlds.” (The Message
3:96)
Ø
Abraham with Ismail raise the
foundations of the Sanctuary;
“And as Abraham raised the foundations for the Sanctuary with
Ishmael: “Our Lord accept this from us, You are the Hearer,
the Knowledgeable.” (The Message 2:127)
Ø
The Sanctuary is declared for
Pilgrimage;
“The Safa and Marwa are amongst God’s symbols. So whosoever
makes Pilgrimage to the Sanctuary, or is merely passing
through, commits no error that he should
traverse
them. And whoever donates for goodness, then God is
Appreciative, Knowledgeable.” (The Message 2:158)
Ø
One of Abraham's progeny `Zuriya` resides
in an area near the Sanctuary:
“Our Lord, I have resided part of my progeny (Zuriya) in an
uncultivated valley near your Restricted Sanctuary. My Lord,
so that they may uphold the
Salat.
So let the hearts of the people incline towards them and give
provisions to them of the fruits that they may give thanks.”
(The Message 14:37)
There are two pieces of
information from the events with Abraham that will become key
to topic at hand:
-
The Sanctuary is located in a place called "Bakka";
-
That Abraham helped one of his progeny (no name mentioned)
reside in a valley near the Sanctuary.
5. Lot.
Before moving on to Mohammed, it
is important to bring one more character into the history, that
of the messenger Lot.
Ø
Lot emigrates with Abraham;
“Thus, Lot believed with him and said: “I am emigrating to my
Lord. He is the Noble, the Wise.” (The Message 29:26)
Ø
Lot is from Abraham's progeny;
"And such was Our argument that
We gave Abraham over his people; We raise the degree of whom We
please. Your Lord is Wise, Knowledgeable. And We granted him
Isaac and Jacob, both of whom We guided; and Noah We guided from
before; and from his progeny `Zuriya` is David, and
Solomon, and Job, and Joseph, and Moses, and Aaron. It is such
that We reward the good doers. And Zachariah and John, and
Jesus, and Elias; all were from the upright. And Ishmael and
Elisha and Jonah and Lot; and each We have preferred over
the worlds." (The Message 6:83-86)
This
is the part that most Muslim scholars totally missed, although
in Christian and Jewish scriptures there is recognition of a
blood relation between Abraham and Lot (Lot is recognized as
Abraham's nephew).
Ø
Lot settles around a community
which turns wicked:
“And Lot, when he said to his people: ‘You commit a lewdness
that no others in the world have done before! You sexually
approach men, and you commit highway robbery, And you bring
all vice to your society.’ But the only response from his
people was to Say: “Bring us God's retribution, if you are
being truthful!” (The Message 29:28-30)
Ø
The town of
Lot is near/on an established
path:
“And it (town of Lot) was on an established path. In that is a
sign for the believers.” (The Message 15:76-77)
Ø
The people of
Lot rebel and are destroyed:
“He said: “Here are my daughters if it is your intention.” By
your life, they are in their drunkenness, blundering. So the
scream took them at sunrise. Thus We turned it upside down,
and rained upon them with fiery projectiles.” (The Message
15:71-74)
“They said: “O Lot, we are your Lord’s messengers; they will
not be able to harm you, so travel with your family during the
cover of the night and let not any of you look back except for
your wife, she will be afflicted with what they will be
afflicted. Their appointed time will be the morning. Is the
morning not near?” (The Message 11:81)
Ø
Lot's town is left partially
standing as a 'Sign':
“And
We left remains of it as a clear sign for a people who
understand.” (The Message 29:35)
“And We have left in it a sign for those who fear the painful
retribution.” (The Message 51:37)
Where Was
Lot’s Town?
With regards
to the location of the town of
Lot
(Sodom &
Gomorrah),
it is generally viewed that the area around the ‘Dead Sea’ in Jordan/Palestine is where the historic events took
place (the Dead Sea until today retains the name of `Sea of
Lot`).
Some of the
clues we are given about the location of Lot include:
-
The town of
Lot was on an established path
(15:76-77);
-
Signs are left from the
town for all to see (51:37, 29:35);
The key
information from the points above that will help is the one
about the ‘established path’. If we look at the current
evidence of ancient highways/paths that used to intersect the
region, then we find that there is indeed the ‘King’s Highway’
that dates back to before the time of Moses and is still in
existence today.
“The King’s Highway
crossed half the
Fertile Crescent, from
Egypt to Syria, spreading goods and culture throughout the
Middle East. It has been a favored trail since before history was
recorded and today is paved for the most part.” (http://www.ancientroute.com/HeadrFtr/tkingshwy.htm)
Staying
in the vicinity of the Dead Sea, and looking at the path of
the King`s Highway, we find there are a number of ancient
towns that are potential candidates for being the location of Lot (Petra, Zoara, Karak and Madaba).
Petra.
Out
of the choice of ancient towns near the Dead Sea, it appears
that Petra is the better choice based on its abundance of
surviving archeological evidence in the form of the homes of the
people who last lived there:
Petra also happens to be situated in a 'Valley' and, although it
is in an area that lacks abundant water sources, its inhabitants
constructed an advanced hydraulic water system to bring
water to the city.
Petra has only recently been attracting archeological
excavations; however, excavations have only been done on less
than 2% of the ancient city. According to some archeological
research, Petra dates back to 3,500 BC:
"In
Abraham’s time, Petra was known as
Salah. It is located in the mountains of Seir, the land of
the Edomites. Petra is the Greek name for Sela, or Selah, a city
of ancient Edom. The Hebrew word sela means "lofty, craggy rock,
fortress, stronghold, cliff."
The
site of Petra seems to indicate the presence of multiple
civilizations, the last of which were the Nabateans (Arabs) and
the Romans (Byzantines) upto the 6th century A.D.
when it was struck by a devastating earthquake in 551 A.D. and
the city fell out of disuse (http://nabataea.net/lhistory.html).
Thus, in conclusion to this part of the research, it can be said
with some confidence that the ancient city of
Petra is indeed the location
where the people of Lot resided with Lot being from the progeny
of Abraham.
-----------------------------
Click here to read: Part II - Mohammed
|
