Islam as a continued tradition

Submitted by Adnan R Amin (Bangladesh), Sep 14, 2013 at 19:25

Mr. Pipes,

I am yet to complete the entire article - it is indeed quite difficult for a layman. But I've stumbled in the first few paragraphs and wanted to ask something.

My comment/question is with regards to this, "Where does Jerusalem fit in Islam and Muslim history? It is not the place to which they pray, is not once mentioned by name in prayers, and it is connected to no mundane events in Muhammad's life."

Since you are a scholar, I only ask this as a clarification. As an ordinary Muslim, I've always understood the entire Judeo-Christian tradition to be a vital part of my own creed. Islam - essentially a continuation of the Judeo-Christian tradition - only ended with Prophet Muhammad. But its beginnings and the beginnings of the Jewish tradition are one and the same. I am certain you are aware of this.

Thus, I too think that Jerusalem is a holy place and Israel is where our Prophet Moses traveled to from Egypt. This doesn't mean I think Muslims or any other creed has an exclusive right to the place(s). But our history & tradition certainly makes us revere these places where Holy Prophets used to tread.

So, even without being connected to Prophet Muhammad's life - Jerusalem is a former Qibla and a place, very special in Muslims' hearts. This piece of fact doesn't come across your article. Thank you.

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".