Mecca is the city that fulfills the mystery Babylon prophecy

MECCA: THE HOLIEST CITY IN ISLAM

Mecca (Makkah) is the holiest city in Islam, where all Muslims all over the world face five times a day. Praying in Islam means praying facing Mecca, where there is the Kaaba. Not only praying five times a day towards the Kaaba, but also visiting it and kissing the black stone is one of the pillars of Islam. That is why millions of Muslims go to Mecca for religious purposes every year.

THE SEVEN HILLS OF MECCA

Traditionally, Mecca is believed to be surrounded by seven hills. These hills are significant in Islamic tradition and pilgrimage (Hajj). The names of the seven hills are listed below:

JABAL ABU QUBAIS: Located to the north of the Grand Mosque (Masjid al-Haram).

JABAL SAFA: One of the two hills between which pilgrims walk during the ritual of Sa’i.

JABAL MARWAH: The other hill between which pilgrims walk during the ritual of Sa’i.

JABAL KHANDAMA: Located to the south of the Grand Mosque.

JABAL AL-NUR: Known for the Cave of Hira, where Prophet Muhammad received his first revelation.

JABAL THAWR: Known for the Cave of Thawr, where Prophet Muhammad sought refuge during the Hijra (migration to Medina).

JABAL JANNAT AL-MU’ALLA: A cemetery where many notable figures from Islamic history are buried.

These hills hold religious and historical significance for Muslims, especially during the annual Hajj pilgrimage and Umrah.

MECCA THROUGH THE AGES

PRE-ISLAMIC MECCA

Mecca’s history begins long before the advent of Islam, nestled in the rugged mountains of western Arabia. The city was a thriving trade hub, strategically positioned along the caravan routes that connected southern Arabia to the Mediterranean and beyond. At its heart lay the Kaaba, a cube-shaped structure believed by the pre-Islamic Arabs to have been built by the prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his son Isma’il (Ishmael).

Mecca’s importance extended beyond commerce; it was a place of religious pilgrimage for the diverse tribes of Arabia. Each year, during the sacred months, Arabs from various regions would converge upon the Kaaba to perform rituals and pay homage to their gods. The city’s prominence in Arabian religious and commercial life was further elevated by its position as a sanctuary where violence was forbidden—a principle upheld through a code of honour known as haram.

THE ADVENT OF ISLAM

The turning point in Mecca’s history came in the 7th century CE, with the rise of Islam and the Prophet Muhammad. Born in Mecca around 570 CE, Muhammad received the first revelation of the Quran in the nearby Cave of Hira on Jabal al-Nur. Initially met with resistance from Mecca’s ruling elite, Muhammad and his followers faced persecution before eventually migrating to Medina (known as the Hijra) in 622 CE. Mecca’s significance in Islam solidified after Muhammad’s victorious return to the city in 630 CE. He purged the Kaaba of its idols and reestablished it as the centre of monotheistic worship for Muslims worldwide. The annual pilgrimage, or Hajj, was reaffirmed as one of the Five Pillars of Islam, drawing believers from across the globe to participate in rituals that symbolize unity, equality, and devotion to Allah.

MECCA TODAY

Today, Mecca stands as a bustling metropolis, transformed by modern infrastructure yet anchored by its ancient traditions. The Grand Mosque, with the Kaaba at its heart, serves as the epicentre of Muslim worship, capable of accommodating millions of pilgrims during the Hajj and Umrah seasons. The city’s skyline is dominated by towering hotels and residential complexes, catering to the millions who visit each year. Despite its modernization, Mecca remains steeped in spiritual reverence. The circumambulation (tawaf) around the Kaaba, the running between Safa and Marwah hills, and the symbolic stoning of the devil (jamarat) during Hajj rituals continue to connect Muslims to their faith and history. The annual pilgrimage not only reinforces bonds of faith but also fosters a sense of global Muslim identity, transcending geographical and cultural boundaries.

INTERPRETATION AS MYSTERY BABYLON

Interpreting Mecca as fulfilling the role of Mystery Babylon mentioned in the Book of Revelation (specifically chapters 17 and 18) is a perspective held by some scholars and religious commentators. Here are some reasons why Mecca is sometimes seen in this light:

LOCATION IN THE WILDERNESS

Revelation describes Mystery Babylon as being situated in a wilderness or desert. Mecca is located in the desert region of western Saudi Arabia, surrounded by rugged terrain and rocky mountains, fulfilling the geographic criterion of being in a desert or wilderness.

RELIGIOUS CENTER OF IDOLATRY

Mecca, historically before Islam and in certain interpretations, during Islamic times, has been viewed as a center of idol worship due to the presence of numerous idols around the Kaaba in pre-Islamic times and possibly later symbolic interpretations of idolatry associated with the worship practices during Hajj.

TRADE AND COMMERCE

Mecca has been a hub of trade and commerce throughout history, particularly during the pre-Islamic period when it served as a trading centre for caravans. This aspect aligns with the descriptions in Revelation of Mystery Babylon being associated with wealth and trade.

LUXURY AND WEALTH

The modern development of Mecca, particularly in recent decades, has seen significant investment in luxury hotels, shopping malls, and infrastructure to accommodate the millions of pilgrims who visit each year for Hajj and Umrah. This prosperity aligns with the portrayal of Mystery Babylon as a wealthy and opulent city.

SEVEN HILLS

Mecca is traditionally believed to be surrounded by seven hills, which is a significant geographical feature. While not as prominent as in some interpretations of Mystery Babylon, this detail aligns with Mecca’s topography and its spiritual significance.

RELIGIOUS CENTER WITH IDOLATROUS HISTORY

Before Islam, Mecca housed multiple idols within the Kaaba, reflecting a history of polytheism. Although Islam purged these idols, some interpretations suggest symbolic continuity with idolatrous practices in a broader sense, potentially linking to Revelation’s portrayal of spiritual corruption.

GLOBAL INFLUENCE

Mecca’s status as the holiest city in Islam gives it immense global influence among Muslims worldwide. The annual pilgrimage (Hajj) draws millions of Muslims from diverse backgrounds, reflecting its global religious significance and influence.

PERSECUTION OF SAINTS

Some interpretations see parallels between the persecution of Christians and other religious minorities in some Islamic countries, including Saudi Arabia, and the persecution described in Revelation. All Islamic terrorists target two groups, Christians and Jews.

CONCLUSION

Mecca’s journey from pre-Islamic times to the present epitomizes resilience and spiritual continuity. It has evolved from a regional sanctuary to a global symbol of Islamic unity, welcoming millions of pilgrims annually from diverse backgrounds. As the custodian of the Kaaba and the spiritual heartbeat of Islam, Mecca embodies the enduring legacy of prophets and believers who have shaped its sacred landscape. In embracing its ancient traditions while embracing modernity, Mecca continues to inspire devotion and awe among Muslims worldwide, ensuring its place as a timeless beacon of faith and piety.

Note that, if there is no Mecca, there is no Islam. To call a religion Islam, its connection must be with Mecca including facing it five times aday to pray to Allah. According to Islamic Hadith Sunan an-Nasa’i 2904 narrated by Abu Hurairah ,Muhammad said Kabah in Mecca will be destroyed by Ethiopian man with thin legs who lead the world at the time. It is named as Dhul-Suwaiqatah in the Hadith.

DESOLATION AND JUDGMENT

Revelation depicts Mystery Babylon as facing desolation and judgment. Some interpret this as symbolic of Mecca’s eventual fate in eschatological terms.

It’s important to note that interpretations of the Book of Revelation, especially concerning Mystery Babylon, vary widely among scholars and religious traditions. Views on identifying specific contemporary cities or entities as fulfilling the role of Mystery Babylon are subject to debate and diverse interpretations within Christian eschatology.

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