Islam- Its Evolution and Place in Jerusalem
When Mecca was doing well economically and the "weaker members of society" weren't being taken care of since people were building private fortunes, Muhammad had a revelation that founded Islam and consequently drew people together. In the original religion, Muhammad believed and encouraged the idea that all things come from god. This idea effected the religion in multiple ways- there was supposedly no dichotomy between the sacred and the profane (contrasting to Eliade's sacred space), and Muhammad wanted Muslims to ultimately respect all religions since they worshipped the same god (Allah). However, through history the religion has evolved.
For starters, in the book "Jerusalem: One City, Three Faiths" by Karen Armstrong, it states that Muhammad was aware that religions need symbols for the people to worship, and therefore had them focus on 3 sacred centers. These centers included Mecca and Jerusalem. To reinforce the idea that all religions should be respected and because Ka'bah in Mecca had been contaminated by idols, Muhammad originally told the followers of Islam to pray towards Jerusalem since Jews and Christians worshipped only Allah there. However, when it became clear that the Jews were not going to accept Muhammad or his followers, this was changed. Muhammad (upon returning to Mecca) took it upon himself to smash the idols in the Ka'bah, and made it the designated place that the Muslims would pray towards. Sacred space was further established when Mecca eventually became the sacred place for Muslims, and all shrines in the Islamic world were modeled on it.
Although Mecca was the sacred place for Muslims, they still believed that Jerusalem was a symbol that had "helped them form a distinct Islamic identity" (Armstrong 224). The story of the Muhammad's Night Journey was not established until after Muhammad had passed, but present day this is primarily the reason people believe Muslims worship Jerusalem. When Muslims finally did arrive in Jerusalem in the 600's, a story says 'Umar was told it would be best to build a mosque north of the rock to allow people to pray towards Mecca and the Jewish Holy of Holies. This shows an acceptance of other religions just as Muhammad had tried to uphold. However, 'Umar built the mosque on the south of the mosque. This could potentially be the beginning of their competing with the Jews. During their rule, the Muslims had laws that seemed to be put in place to protect the Jews and Christians, who were the minorities there at this time- they restricted them from bearing arms, and they had to pay taxes to be protected by the Muslim Military protection. However, these laws eventually began stripping Jews and Christians of certain rights. For example, they weren't allowed to build temples or places of worship without permission, they had to wear distinctive clothing, and they couldn't ride on horseback. Not long after, the Muslims built the Dome of the Rock on the site of old Jewish temple, which brought about the creation of competing stories concerning how this site was sacred to both the Jews and the Muslims. These stories still compete today.
For starters, in the book "Jerusalem: One City, Three Faiths" by Karen Armstrong, it states that Muhammad was aware that religions need symbols for the people to worship, and therefore had them focus on 3 sacred centers. These centers included Mecca and Jerusalem. To reinforce the idea that all religions should be respected and because Ka'bah in Mecca had been contaminated by idols, Muhammad originally told the followers of Islam to pray towards Jerusalem since Jews and Christians worshipped only Allah there. However, when it became clear that the Jews were not going to accept Muhammad or his followers, this was changed. Muhammad (upon returning to Mecca) took it upon himself to smash the idols in the Ka'bah, and made it the designated place that the Muslims would pray towards. Sacred space was further established when Mecca eventually became the sacred place for Muslims, and all shrines in the Islamic world were modeled on it.
Although Mecca was the sacred place for Muslims, they still believed that Jerusalem was a symbol that had "helped them form a distinct Islamic identity" (Armstrong 224). The story of the Muhammad's Night Journey was not established until after Muhammad had passed, but present day this is primarily the reason people believe Muslims worship Jerusalem. When Muslims finally did arrive in Jerusalem in the 600's, a story says 'Umar was told it would be best to build a mosque north of the rock to allow people to pray towards Mecca and the Jewish Holy of Holies. This shows an acceptance of other religions just as Muhammad had tried to uphold. However, 'Umar built the mosque on the south of the mosque. This could potentially be the beginning of their competing with the Jews. During their rule, the Muslims had laws that seemed to be put in place to protect the Jews and Christians, who were the minorities there at this time- they restricted them from bearing arms, and they had to pay taxes to be protected by the Muslim Military protection. However, these laws eventually began stripping Jews and Christians of certain rights. For example, they weren't allowed to build temples or places of worship without permission, they had to wear distinctive clothing, and they couldn't ride on horseback. Not long after, the Muslims built the Dome of the Rock on the site of old Jewish temple, which brought about the creation of competing stories concerning how this site was sacred to both the Jews and the Muslims. These stories still compete today.
Comments
Post a Comment