Salam,
I've been search for a place called Bakkah for a long time, but could not find it anywhere. Until I realized that I'm asking wrong question about Bakkah. To understand what bakkah is, I need to clarify the related words come up in the same context such as bayt, hajj, and what the things Ibrahim and Ishmael have done in the past, according to Quran. Let's get into the verses:
=Bayt=
There's a lot of verses talking about bayt in Quran, both physically and metaphorically. but clearly, we can distinguish them by look at the context. Here is the example how to treat the word 'bayt' taught by Allah:
29:41 The parable of those who take protectors other than Allah is that of the spider, who builds (to itself) a house<baytan>; but truly the weakest of houses <buyuti>is the spider?s house <baytu>;- if they but knew.
29:42 And such are the Parables We set forth for mankind, but only those understand them who have knowledge.
This verse has described the Polytheism belief as weakest house metaphorically. So we knew that when a verse talk about a house or bayt, followed by a statement regarding either polytheism or monotheism, the house(s) or bayt here must be understood metaphorically.
For example :
16:26 Those before them had schemed, so God came to their buildings from the foundation, thus the roof fell on top of them; and the retribution came to them from where they did not know.
16:27 Then, on the Day of Resurrection He will humiliate them, and say: "Where are My partners regarding whom you used to dispute?" Those who have received the knowledge said: "The humiliation today and the misery are upon the rejecters."
In 16:26, it talks about a building which its roof has fell down. And this verse followed by a question regarding God's partner confirming polytheism practiced by some people. It means that the buildings here must be understood metaphorically, just like the spider's house mentioned in 24:91.
And another parable has explained by God in following verses:
24:35 Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The Parable of His Light is as if there were a Niche and within it a Lamp: the Lamp enclosed in Glass: the glass as it were a brilliant star: Lit from a blessed Tree, an Olive, neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil is well-nigh luminous, though fire scarce touched it: Light upon Light! Allah doth guide whom He will to His Light: Allah doth set forth Parables for men: and Allah doth know all things.
24:36 In houses <buyuutin>, which Allah hath permitted to be raised; for the celebration, in them, of His name: In them is He glorified in the mornings and in the evenings,-
In 24:35, Allah has described Himself using parable. And do you recall a house which its foundation has been raised up by Ibrahim and Ishmael? It's one of the houses raised up as mentioned in 24:36.
Let's take closer to the verses:
2:127 And as Abraham raised from the Sanctuary its foundations, along with Ishmael: "Our Lord accept this from us, You are the Hearer, the Knowledgeable."
22:26 And We have appointed to Abraham the location of the House: "Do not set up anyone with Me, and purify My House for those who visit, and those who are standing, and the kneeling, and the prostating."
As you can see, the word house here has followed by the command not to set up any Idol, confirming Monotheism. So the house here must be understood metaphorically. This house is not laid in physical place but it's explain about the monotheism. And it's the opposite of polytheism, the spider's house.
Now, it's clear about the bayt. Let's move to another word, Hajj.
=Hajj=
Since the Bayt itself is not a physical place, the word hajj automatically has nothing to do with a physical journey. So what's the hajj then? Hajj is the calling to monotheism for the mankind.
In lane lexicon, triliteral root word Haa-Jiim-Jiim = to intend to a certain target. And the target is bayt, the monotheism.
The only acceptable word for different people with different background of beliefs is just monotheism. That's why we are commanded not to arguing during the hajj:
2:197 ...no arguing in the hajj;
It's because we are told to talk about the only acceptable words for whole mankind : God alone.
22:67 ...So do not let the matter fall into dispute. And call upon your Lord, for you are on a guidance which is straight.
Now it's clear that the purpose of Hajj is to call the people which likely has different creed, and different qiblah as well, to God alone.
Hajj also has rites called Safa and Marwa also known as signs of God. Phrase signs of God also mentioned in 22:36.
2:158 Indeed, Safa and Marwa are among the signs of God.
22:36 And the plump livestock, We have made them for you to be among the signs of God; you will have benefit in them. So mention the name of God upon them in lined up <Sawāffa> ; when they are down on their sides, you may eat from them and feed with them the poor and the needy. It was thus that We have made them in service to you, that you may be thankful.
Since there is no physical place get involved, Safa and Marwa must be translated literally:
Safa/Sawaffa
= Sad-Fa-Fa = side by side, laid out, a rank/row/line
Marwa
= Miim-Ra-Waw = the stone on which an animal is slaughtered.
So the signs of God is the plump livestock lined up and get slaughtered.
It's in line with the God's command to every people (ummah) to perform a rites (mansakan):
22:67 For every people (ummah) We have established rites which they are to fulfill. So do not let the matter fall into dispute. And call upon your Lord, for you are on a guidance which is straight.
And that rites is:
22:34 And for every people (ummah) We have established rites that they may mention the name of God over what He has provided for them of the animal livestock. Your god is One god; submit to Him and give good tidings to those who obey.
Once again, the rites is for every people (ummah), means everyone which likely coming from many different beliefs.
So now we have two places has been translated into words which match into the context. Now let's move to Bakkah, the place which had been lost for many years.
=Bakka=
Bakka, since it's related to the Bayt, which has been understood as non physical structure, so nothing can stop us to do the same thing with Bakkah.
3:96 inna awwala baytin wudhi'a lilnnaasi lalladhii bibakkata mubaarakan wahudan lil'aalamiina
I've put my translation, word by word as follows:
inna
indeed
awwala
Alif-Waw-Lam - its origin or source; his or its original state,
baytin
house (please understand it metaphorically as monotheism)
wudhi'a
Waw-Dad-Ayn = the proper place of a thing.
lilnnāsi
for the mankind
lalladhī
those who
bibakkata
= Ba-Kaf-Kaf (e.g. bakka) = distinguishing/ranking above others
mubārakan
blessed
wahudan
and a guidance
lil'ālamīna
for the worlds.
So the verse will be:
3:96 Indeed, something that originated from monotheism (baytin) is a proper place for people who in the difference with another (in beliefs), which is blessed, and guidance for whole worlds.
This translation makes sense to me because it's in line with the purpose of hajj. But since I'm not good enough in Arabic, especially in grammar, any comments and input, really appreciated.
Peace
