The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 1) — Page 222
CH. 2 AL-BAQARAH PT. 1 The sayings of the Holy Prophet also support this view. Describing the retreat of Abraham after leaving Hagar and Ishmael at the place where Mecca now stands, the Holy Prophet is reported to have said: "Hagar inquired of Abraham why he was leaving them in a valley without any friend or sympathizer and without any food to eat. She asked the same question several times, but Abraham (probably overpowered by feelings) kept silent and made no reply. At last, she asked whether he was doing this under the order of God, and this time Abraham replied in the affirmative. Thereupon, Hagar said that in that case God would never let them perish. Then Abraham returned, and standing on a hillock, where he could not be seen by Hagar, he turned his face to the Ka'bah, and raising both of his hands, offered the prayer: Our Lord, I have settled some of my children in an uncultivable valley near Thy Sacred House (Bukhārī). had offered certain prayers which valley near Thy Sacred House were to bear fruit. These prayers were (14:38). From this verse it is clear to the effect that the children of that the Ka'bah existed even before Abraham through Ishmael might Abraham. multiply and prosper and there might be raised among them a great Prophet. Whether Abraham was the founder or only the rebuilder of the Ka'bah is a point that has given rise to much discussion. Some hold that Abraham was the first builder of the place, others trace the origin of the House to the days of Adam and hold that Abraham only rebuilt it on its old ruins. The Quran and authentic traditions favour the view that even prior to the erection of a building on this site by Abraham, some sort of structure did exist. Even in the verse under comment the words which may mean "the foundations that were left of the house," hint at the fact that a previous structure did exist but it had fallen into ruins and only a trace of the foundations remained. Elsewhere the Quran speaks of the Ka'bah, as the first House founded (or built) for (the good of mankind (3:97). Now as people lived even before Abraham and some Prophets had also been raised before him, it stands to reason that some place of worship did exist for them and as the Ka'bah is the first house of that nature, it must be taken to have priority over all others. The above narrative related by the Holy Prophet shows that even before Abraham's going to the place where Mecca now stands, it was held sacred, or else how could he have Moreover, the Quran represents turned his face to it while offering the Abraham offering the following prayer and how could he have used prayer at the time of his separation the words "near Thy Sacred House". from Ishmael and his mother at Nor does history say anything Mecca: Our Lord, I have settled some contrary to this view, because of my children in an uncultivable | whatever information can be gleaned 222