Abraham A.S And Mecca
The altar is mentioned in Pirkei d’Rabbi Eliezer on Genesis 17. The location being hot and Abraham (pbuh) thinking at first that the angels were Arab traders is recorded in Rashi on Genesis 17.
Ephrem the Syrian’s Testimony Ephrem the Syrian, a renowned Syriac Christian writer, explicitly mentions the Kaaba in his “Commentary on Genesis.” He describes it as a place of worship built by Abraham and Ishmael. This testimony is significant, as it: 1. Pre-dates Islamic tradition: Ephrem’s work predates the emergence of Islam by centuries, making his account an independent, non-Islamic testimony. 2. Corroborates biblical narrative: Ephrem’s commentary connects the Kaaba to the biblical story of Abraham and Ishmael, reinforcing the idea that the Kaaba’s origins are rooted in the biblical tradition. 3. Provides geographical context: As a Syriac Christian writer, Ephrem’s familiarity with the region and its traditions lends credibility to his account of the Kaaba’s location in Mecca. Historical Significance of Ephrem’s AccountEphrem’s testimony highlights the importance of the Kaaba as a sacred site, even in pre-Islamic times. This account: 1. Demonstrates continuity of tradition: Ephrem’s commentary shows that the Kaaba’s connection to Abraham and Ishmael was recognized across different faith communities, even before the advent of Islam. 2. Supports the Abrahamic origins of the Kaaba: By linking the Kaaba to Abraham and Ishmael, Ephrem’s account reinforces the idea that the Kaaba’s origins are rooted in the biblical tradition.