How can Muslims pray towards Mecca when the Earth is round?
Unless they live in or very close to Mecca, aren’t they just praying towards space?
My answer to your question is hidden in this question:
"How can airplanes fly from one city to the other when the Earth is round?"
It is simply a matter of directions, irrespective of the fact that earth is not straight and also that the earth is continuously in motion.
Moreover, facing towards Mecca (or precisely towards Ka’ba) DOES NOT mean that Muslims worship (or bow to) Ka’ba or Mecca… it is merely a symbol of unity!
July 9th, 2010 at 11:51 am
Well, it doesn’t really matter, after all they want to pray to Allah and he’s not on earth if he exists.
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July 9th, 2010 at 12:07 pm
Even Muslims know that gravity will keep them on the earth…
Most people understand that we don’t go off the earth in a
straight-line tangent as we move towards a destination that
is past the horizon.
I guess you’re not one of them.
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July 9th, 2010 at 12:32 pm
Wait a second… The Earth is ROUND!!!??!??!
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July 9th, 2010 at 12:48 pm
No Mecca is in the center of earth. it would still be the center of earth had it been located in south pole
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July 9th, 2010 at 1:03 pm
1. Islam believes in fostering unity
For instance, if Muslims want to offer Salaah (Prayer), it is possible that some may wish to face north, while some may wish to face south. In order to unite Muslims in their worship of the One True God, Muslims, wherever they may be, are asked to face in only one direction i.e. towards the Kaaba. If some Muslims live towards the west of the Kaaba they face the east. Similarly if they live towards the east of the Kaaba they face the west.
2. Kaaba is at the Centre of the World Map
The Muslims were the first people to draw the map of the world. They drew the map with the south facing upwards and north downwards. The Kaaba was at the centre. Later, western cartographers drew the map upside down with the north facing upwards and south downwards. Yet, Alhamdullilah the Kaaba is at the centre of the world map.
3. Tawaaf around Kaaba for indicating one God
When the Muslims go to Masjid-e-Haram in Makkah, they perform tawaaf or circumambulation round the Kaaba. This act symbolizes the belief and worship of One God, since, just as every circle has one centre, so also there is only one Allah (swt) worthy of worship.
4. Hadith of Umar (may Allah be pleased with him)
Regarding the black stone, hajr-e-aswad, there is a hadith (tradition), attributed to the illustrious companion of the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh), Umar (may Allah be pleased with him).
According to Sahih Bukhari, Volume 2, book of Hajj, chapter 56, H.No. 675. Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "I know that you are a stone and can neither benefit nor harm. Had I not seen the Prophet (pbuh) touching (and kissing) you, I would never have touched (and kissed) you".
5. People stood on Kaaba and gave the adhaan
At the time of the Prophet, people even stood on the Kaaba and gave the ‘adhaan’ or the call to prayer. One may ask those who allege that Muslims worship the Kaaba; which idol worshipper stands on the idol he worships?
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July 9th, 2010 at 1:14 pm
Muslim never worship or pray to Kabba. Its just our Holy temple
Bible also says bow down to your Holy temple.Read it psalm 138:2
"I will bow down towards your Holy temple…."[psalm 138:2]
God Almighty Holy Temple in Islam is the Kabba in Mecca
Kabba was created by Prophet Abraham and Ishmael. Bible paran is our Mecca and Arabs are descendents of Ishmael..
In Isaiah 60:1-7, A Prophecy about a Holy man(Prophet) bringing the Light of God to the World.
"And the Gentiles shall come to thy Light"[Isaiah 60:3]
and that means this Holy Prophet would arise among the Gentiles and his Light would fill his place where the nations would come and visit.
he answered "i was sent only to the lost sheep of israel" [matthew 15:24]
Jesus what Jesus said to his 12 disciples
"Do not go among the gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans"[matthew 10:5]
Meaning DO NOT GO any town of gentiles
"Go rather to the lost sheep of israel"[matthew 10:6]
Go ONLY The town of ISRAEL
In the Life times of Jesus, He had no any disciple of Gentile..
In Isaiah 60:4, we find the people would come from far, the sons and daughter, all would come together for the Light.
In Isaiah 60:5-6 it keeps telling us about the coming of the people from all over the world to the Light.
"All the flocks of Kedar will be gathered together to you.."[Isaiah 60:7]
Meaning all the children of Kedar will be gathered to that Prophet.
Note: Kedar is the Son of Ishmail. Read Genesis 25:13
Kedar is also synonymous with all of Arabia in general, as in Ezekiel
"Arabia, and all the princes of Kedar…"[Ezekiel, 27:21]
Is Isaiah 60:7 is the clear meaning, its Kedar (Mecca) where its flocks and tribes would be gathered together under the light of God
All children of Kedar was gathered together with Muhammad.
Also no Israel prophet have anything to do with Arabian people.
"They would come come up with acceptance on mine Altar"[Isaiah 60:7]
This a clear prophecy of pilgrimage(Hajj)!!
Note: Muslims during the Hajj "pilgrimage" they slaughter the sacrifices as one of the ceremonies and Muslims all over the world share that from their places which is called Eid Al Adha
"And I will glorify the House of my Glory"[Isaiah 60:7]
its refers to the Kabba, the sacred House for Gods glory
If Prophet Muhammad is not to be accepted as the fulfillment of all these prophecies, they will still remain unfulfilled.
"The House of My Glory" clearly referred to Kabba "The House of God" Prophecy mentioned in the place of Arab and Only Kabba is call as "House of God" in Arab.
Its the Holy tempte of Muslims..
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July 9th, 2010 at 1:24 pm
My answer to your question is hidden in this question:
"How can airplanes fly from one city to the other when the Earth is round?"
It is simply a matter of directions, irrespective of the fact that earth is not straight and also that the earth is continuously in motion.
Moreover, facing towards Mecca (or precisely towards Ka’ba) DOES NOT mean that Muslims worship (or bow to) Ka’ba or Mecca… it is merely a symbol of unity!
References :
Common sense & basic concepts of Islam.
July 11th, 2010 at 4:50 pm
A house is just a place to keep your stuff while you go out and get more stuff.
Sent via Blackberry
July 12th, 2010 at 12:42 pm
A better question asks if you were at the exact opposite position on Earth from Mecca could one pray in any direction?