by Asaf A. Abir
An ancient stone building at the center of the Islamic holy city, Mecca, built, according to the legend by the prophets Ismail (Ishmael) and Ibrahim (Abraham). The structure forms a square of about 40 ft high, containing the Black Stone, which is ceremonially kissed by Muslims until today.
Alby Stone
Bob Trubshaw’s article on the Black Stone of Mecca was of great interest to myself, as I had already seen Rufus Camphausen’s original article on The Ka’bah at Mecca, and already had something of an interest in the subject. Camphausen, and now Bob Trubshaw, have done us all a great service by bringing this material to our attention in an accessible form, and presenting what is basically a strong and coherent case for the original pagan context of the Black Stone; but it is also apparent that there is a good deal more that could be said on the subject. Indeed, there are a number of points that really must be made, particularly with regard to the goddess Al’Lat, whose identity – and those of her old Meccan companions, Al’Uzza and Manat – is perhaps not as clear-cut as Rufus Camphausen has asserted, and as Bob Trubshaw has reported. There are more connections to be made, and these show the goddess of the Black Stone in a rather different light.
by Alan G. Hefner
Isma’il (Ishmael), in Islam, is mentioned in the Qur’an as one of the prophets (Qur’an 3. 84, 4. 163), and more specifically as the son of Ibrahim (Abraham) (Qur’an 14. 39). The two are believed to have rebuilt the Ka’ba in Mecca, and instituted the rites of hajj (pilgrimage) (Qur’an 2. 127-129). Continue reading “Isma’il”
Witch's Well 