Masjid Alharam vs. Masjid Al Aqsa

[Batura]

According to "The Natural Republic", both the location of Hajj as well as Qibla direction is Temple Mount/Dome of the Rock.

If we refer to verse 17:1, we clearly have two mosques, Masjid Alharam and Masjid Al Aqsa. If we accept that the place for Hajj mentioned in 3:96 is Temple Mount (Masjid Al Aqsa) as "The Natural Replublic" argues, the Qibla verses in chapter 2 make it clear that Qibla is towards Masjid Al Haram (2:144, 2:149, 2:150).

1. This seems to be a contradiction which the The Natural Republic does not address. The Natural Republic implicitly implies that Dome of the Rock is both Masjid Al-Haram (Qibla Direction) as well as Masjid Al-Aqsa (location of Hajj), which cannot be possible.

2. If Temple Mount is Masjid Al-Aqsa, where is Masjid Al-Haram? As clearly established by historiagraphers (Crone, Cook, Hoyland, Tom Holland etc), Makkah did not exist before the end of 7th century. So where was the واد غیر زی ذرع located?

[shukri]

....

2. If Temple Mount is Masjid Al-Aqsa, where is Masjid Al-Haram? As clearly established by historiagraphers (Crone, Cook, Hoyland, Tom Holland etc), Makkah did not exist before the end of 7th century. So where was the واد غیر زی ذرع located?

Maybe this thread can give you some enlightenment:
https://free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=9611307.0

For the time being, I fully believe that the original/authorised Masjidil Haram was located at Petra, Jordan and NOT at Makkah Al-Mukarramah, Saudi Arabia.
Unless someone can give me better proof to supersede the facts given by the thread starter.
My Reply #15-17 on this thread is referred to!

Just my take.
Thank you.

[Wakas]

I recommend:
https://mypercept.co.uk/articles/meaning-hajj-Quran.html
https://mypercept.co.uk/articles/meaning-masjid-al-haram-Quran.html

It addresses many points not even considered in the natural republic.

[Zunnun]

The confusion and lack of clarity is evident in "The Natural Republic". There are two issues:

1. TNR does prove with reasonable arguments that Dome is the location of Al Masjid Al Haram, but does not clarify what is then meant by Al Masjid Al Aqsa (the surrounds of which are blessed, Q 17:1). They are not the same locations.

2. Moreover, its argument that People of the Book do not acknowledge the Qibla prescribed by God ( as referred to in Q 2:145) is also very weak. The Jews do indeed consider the Temple Mount as the Focal Point, contrary to assertion of TNR. This would also apparently contradict with Q 2:145 if Temple Mount is taken as AMAH.

Would like to see a response from the author of The Natural Republic on these two points.