Where was the pilgrimage to, before the change of Qibla?

[good logic]

Peace Jafar.

Please also read the post from the start:

Edward Gibbon writes about the Ka'bah and its existence before the Christian era in his book:

i.e Gibbon is probably from the same era as the "Turkish emperor" not Diodorus!!

GOD bless you.
Peace.

[Wakas]

The assumption is that the temple talked about is the cuboid called Kaabah, and Macoraba is Mecca.

This is disputed by Crone here.

Also see here.

Also see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaaba

[good logic]

Peace Wakas.

I was providing some information like those who" dispute " also have the right to do.

GOD knows we always" dispute" even facts that He establishes!

GOD will sort out all these "disputes" on the day of judgement?

Thanks Wakas.
GOD bless you.
Peace.

[good logic]

Peace Wakas.

By the way this does not "dispute" the info I gave,quote:

Also see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaaba


Just thought I clarify. Never mind though.

GOD bless you.
Peace.

[Wakas]

peace GL,

I was providing some information like those who" dispute " also have the right to do.

I agree. It is often good to have both sides of story.

I haven't studied it, but what I found interesting was that apart from the disputed "macoraba" mention, "mecca" is not mentioned for several hundred years after the disputed "macoraba" even though the region was documented several times by later travellers/geographers/etc. If that's true, then I think that is significant.

[NielsJacob]

Peace

Just ran into this treat.

Wasn`t it not just Jerusalem?

[Wakas]

Peace

Just ran into this treat.

Wasn`t it not just Jerusalem?

I recommend:

From:
http://mypercept.co.uk/articles/meaning-masjid-al-haram-Quran.html

Key:
AMAH=al masjid al haram
CAD=classical arabic dictionaries

change of qiblah - an understanding based on Quran
The information we can extract about the meaning of "qiblah", and the change, from these verses is as follows:

-this new change is in some way related to guiding to a straight/establishing path, and making the believers a balanced/moderate community
-the qiblah which they were on was a great test (i.e. difficult), except those God guided, and their belief in such was not going to be for nothing
-in this case the qiblah happens to be AMAH, but there are potentially many other qiblah, as individuals could have their own qiblah
-in 2:148 the usage of "wherever" is the ONLY time it appears without a close link to "turn+wajh+AMAH"  therefore likens "wijhatun (direction/course/goal)" with "qiblah" and consequently likens AMAH to "race to the good" or at least we can say AMAH involves this. Furthermore, AQ implies each person may have their own "qiblah" in 2:145 then later in 2:148 says "for each is a wijhatun he turns towards it", strongly suggesting "qiblah" and "wijhatun" are being related as similar terms/concepts. Please re-read these verses as this is a key finding.
-the effects of this change will be less debate from the people, lead to God completing His favour, aid guiding, and bringing you all together.
-wherever one is they should turn their wajh/purpose/consideration in the direction of AMAH, and from the contexts that likley involves being oriented towards the truth of your Lord, the good, and uniting of believers

    To me, "turning one's wajh in the sky" in 2:144 comes across as an idiom, so whilst it could be literally translated as "turning one's face IN the sky" it is implying one is directionless, aimless, floating/blowing in the wind, i.e. no plan/goal to progress, looking/searching for a way/resolution. Interestingly it is listed in 'Verbal Idioms of Quran' by Mustansir Mir but explained as he turned his face towards the heaven so often that it is added emphasis to say his face was IN the heaven, even though it literally is not. Perhaps, but that does not change the fact that it is taken by all to mean he was seeking guidance. The new qiblah resolves this, and is also pleasing, implying a possible easing of argumentation/hostility for the believers, which would tie in with "no debate against you".
    As a side note, the only other use of "wly/turn" in these verses other than "turn+wajh" is 2:148 "...he turns towards it (wijhatun/course/goal)", which is primarily figurative and not taken physical-directional by anyone. This may help indicate the type of turning being referred to in these verses.

Based on the above, usage of the root QBL in AQ, CAD meanings, and the only other occurrence of "qiblah" in 10:87, in terms of likelihood for the meaning of "qiblah", in my view, are:
1) focal-point - focus/centre of interest or activity
2) direction - general aim or purpose; a general way in which someone/something is developing
3) point-of-approach - a way in which to approaching something
4) counteraction - to oppose and mitigate the effects of by contrary action