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Qur’anic Geography: A Groundbreaking Book by Dan Gibson that Challenges Traditional Islamic History

Qur’anic Geography is a book by Dan Gibson, a Canadian researcher who has spent over 30 years studying the history and geography of the Arabian Peninsula. In this book, Gibson examines the geographical references in the Qur’an, the holy book of Islam, and compares them with historical and archaeological evidence. He argues that many of the locations mentioned in the Qur’an are not in Mecca, the current holy city of Islam, but in Petra, an ancient city in Jordan that was once the capital of the Nabataean kingdom.

Gibson’s main thesis is that Petra was the original holy city of Islam, where Muhammad and his followers first established their community and where the Ka’ba, the sacred cube-shaped building that Muslims face when they pray, was located. He claims that during an Islamic civil war in the seventh century, the Ka’ba was destroyed and the Black Rock, a meteorite that is revered by Muslims, was moved to Mecca, a secondary sanctuary that was more secure and remote. He also suggests that many of the early Islamic sources that support the Meccan origin of Islam were fabricated or altered by later writers to conceal the Petra connection.

Gibson supports his theory with various types of evidence, such as:

The linguistic analysis of the Qur’anic verses and the Arabic place names
The comparison of the descriptions of the holy city and its surroundings in the Qur’an and the early Islamic literature with the physical features and archaeological remains of Petra and Mecca
The examination of the early mosques and their qiblas, or direction of prayer, which point to Petra rather than Mecca
The identification of the four historical periods when the Arabs united and conquered other nations, which he correlates with the Qur’anic references to the people of ‘Ad, Midian, Thamud, and Islam

Gibson’s book is controversial and provocative, as it challenges the conventional understanding of Islamic history and geography. It has been criticized by some scholars and Muslims who question his methodology, sources, and motives. However, it has also been praised by others who find his arguments compelling and well-researched. Gibson invites readers to examine his evidence and draw their own conclusions.

One of the most intriguing aspects of Gibson’s book is his analysis of the qiblas, or the direction of prayer, of the early mosques. He argues that the first mosques built by Muhammad and his followers in Medina and elsewhere were oriented towards Petra, not Mecca. He claims that this was the original qibla of Islam, as instructed by Muhammad himself. He cites several Qur’anic verses and hadiths that support this view, such as:

“Turn then thy face towards the Sacred Mosque: wherever ye are, turn your faces towards it.” (Qur’an 2:144)

“The Prophet prayed facing Baitul-Maqdis (the Jerusalem Temple) for sixteen or seventeen months but he wished that he could pray facing the Ka’ba (at Mecca). The first prayer which he offered (facing the Ka’ba) was the ‘Asr prayer in the company of some people. Then one of those who had offered that prayer with him came out and passed by some people in a mosque who were in the bowing position (of their prayers) facing Bait-ul-Maqdis. He said addressing them, ‘By Allah, I bear witness that I have prayed with the Prophet facing Mecca.’ Hearing that, those people changed their direction towards the Ka’ba immediately.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6:41)

Gibson contends that these verses and hadiths do not refer to Jerusalem or Mecca, but to Petra. He explains that Baitul-Maqdis, which means “the farthest sanctuary”, was a name given to Petra by the Nabataeans, who considered it their holy city. He also points out that the Ka’ba, which means “the cube”, was a common name for many sacred buildings in Arabia, and that the original Ka’ba of Islam was in Petra, not Mecca. He shows that many of the early mosques, such as the ones in China, Spain, Egypt, and Iraq, were aligned with Petra, not Mecca. He suggests that this qibla was changed to Mecca around 700 AD by the Umayyad caliph Abd al-Malik, who wanted to legitimize his rule and distance himself from the rival Abbasids.

Another fascinating aspect of Gibson’s book is his identification of the four historical periods when the Arabs united and conquered other nations. He correlates these periods with the Qur’anic references to the people of ‘Ad, Midian, Thamud, and Islam. He argues that these were not mythical tribes or civilizations, but real historical events that shaped the history of Arabia and beyond. He proposes that:

The people of ‘Ad were the Edomites and the Hyksos, who invaded Egypt around 1700 BC and ruled it for over a century.
The people of Midian were the Midianites and their allies, who rose to power under Moses around 1400 BC and challenged the Egyptian and Canaanite kingdoms.
The people of Thamud were the Nabataeans and their allies, who established a powerful kingdom in Petra around 300 BC and controlled much of Arabia, Syria, and Palestine.
The people of Islam were the Muslims and their allies, who united under Muhammad around 600 AD and spread Islam across Arabia, Africa, Asia, and Europe.

Gibson supports his theory with various types of evidence, such as:

The archaeological findings and inscriptions that attest to the existence and influence of these peoples
The comparison of the descriptions and characteristics of these peoples in the Qur’an and the early Islamic literature with the historical records and sources
The analysis of the chronological and geographical patterns of these peoples’ rise and fall
The examination of the cultural and religious similarities and differences among these peoples

Gibson’s book is not only a historical and geographical investigation, but also a theological and philosophical one. He explores the implications of his theory for the understanding of Islam and its origins. He asks questions such as:

How did the change of the qibla affect the Muslim faith and practice?
How did the relocation of the Ka’ba and the Black Rock affect the Muslim rituals and pilgrimage?
How did the alteration of the early Islamic sources affect the Muslim doctrine and law?
How did the concealment of the Petra connection affect the Muslim identity and culture?

Gibson does not claim to have all the answers, but he invites Muslims and non-Muslims alike to reconsider their assumptions and beliefs about Islam and its history. He challenges them to examine the evidence for themselves and to seek the truth with honesty and openness. He hopes that his book will stimulate further research and dialogue on this topic, and that it will contribute to a better understanding and appreciation of Islam and its rich heritage.

Gibson’s book is not only based on his own research, but also on the works of other scholars and experts who have contributed to the field of Qur’anic geography and Islamic history. He acknowledges and cites the sources that have influenced his thinking and supported his arguments. Some of these sources are:

Patricia Crone, a historian who challenged the traditional account of the rise of Islam and proposed that Mecca was not the original center of Islam
David King, a historian of science who studied the qibla orientations of the early mosques and found discrepancies with the Meccan direction
Tom Holland, a historian who explored the origins of Islam and its relation to Judaism and Christianity
Robert Hoyland, a historian who examined the non-Islamic sources and evidence for the early history of Islam
Gerd Puin, a scholar who analyzed the early Qur’anic manuscripts and found variations and corrections in them

Gibson also provides a list of many early Islamic sources, such as biographies, histories, commentaries, and hadith collections, that he used to cross-check and verify his findings. He also includes a list of many early Qur’anic manuscripts that he consulted to compare the different readings and interpretations of the Qur’anic verses. He also provides a timeline of Islamic history from 550 AD to 1095 AD that shows the major events and developments that shaped Islam and its geography.

Gibson’s book is not only a book, but also a website and a documentary. He has created a website called nabataea.net where he shares his research and findings on Qur’anic geography and Islamic history. He also invites readers and viewers to join his forum and discuss his theory and evidence with him and others. He has also produced a documentary called The Sacred City where he presents his theory and evidence in a visual and engaging way. He also shows his travels and explorations of the sites and locations that he mentions in his book.

Gibson’s book is a valuable and original contribution to the field of Qur’anic geography and Islamic history. It is a well-written, well-researched, and well-argued book that challenges the conventional wisdom and offers a new perspective on Islam and its origins. It is a book that will appeal to anyone who is interested in Islam, history, geography, or theology. It is a book that will make you think, question, and learn.

Gibson’s book is not only a book, but also a PDF file that can be downloaded for free from the Internet Archive. He has made his book available online for anyone who wants to read it and learn more about his theory and evidence. He has also included a link to his website where he provides more information and resources on Qur’anic geography and Islamic history. He also encourages readers to contact him and share their feedback and questions with him.

Gibson’s book is a remarkable and innovative work that challenges the status quo and offers a new perspective on Islam and its origins. It is a work that will spark debate and controversy among scholars and Muslims alike. It is a work that will inspire curiosity and interest among readers and viewers of all backgrounds and beliefs. It is a work that will enrich the field of Qur’anic geography and Islamic history.

Conclusion

Qur’anic Geography is a book by Dan Gibson that explores the geographical references in the Qur’an and their historical and theological implications. Gibson argues that the original holy city of Islam was Petra, not Mecca, and that many of the locations mentioned in the Qur’an are not in Arabia, but in Jordan, Syria, and Palestine. He supports his theory with various types of evidence, such as linguistic analysis, archaeological findings, qibla orientations, and historical sources. He also identifies the four historical periods when the Arabs united and conquered other nations, which he correlates with the Qur’anic references to the people of ‘Ad, Midian, Thamud, and Islam. He examines the impact of his theory on the understanding of Islam and its origins. He also provides a website, a documentary, and a PDF file for his book for further information and discussion.

Gibson’s book is a groundbreaking and controversial work that challenges the conventional wisdom and offers a new perspective on Islam and its history. It is a well-written, well-researched, and well-argued work that will appeal to anyone who is interested in Islam, history, geography, or theology. It is a work that will make you think, question, and learn.

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Qur’anic Geography Dan Gibson Pdf Download Free

Qur’anic Geography: A Groundbreaking Book by Dan Gibson that Challenges Traditional Islamic History

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