Holy Places in the Holy Qur’an (Makkah as a Model)

Abstract

This study examines the topic of sacred places in the Holy Quran, taking Mecca as a model for research and analysis. The study derives its significance by highlighting the special status that the Holy Quran bestows upon sacred places in general and Mecca in particular, along with the associated legislations and rulings that reflect their importance in the Islamic system. The research aims to explore and analyze how the Holy Quran addresses sacred places, specifically Mecca, through studying the Quranic verses related to it and addressing the epistemological, legislative, and civilizational dimensions of this sacred place, with the goal of reaching a deeper understanding of the relationship between sacred space and Islamic legislation. The research employed a descriptive-analytical methodology, through the induction and analysis of Quranic verses related to Mecca, while utilizing the deductive approach to extract the epistemological and value implications associated with sacred space. A comparative approach was also employed to highlight the uniqueness of Mecca among other sacred places. The research relied on diverse original sources including books of exegesis, hadith, jurisprudence, and history, alongside contemporary studies related to the research topic. The study concluded that: the Holy Quran establishes an integrated theory of "sacred geography" that transcends the purely devotional dimension of sacred places to establish a comprehensive civilizational model; there exists a dialectical relationship between sacred space and Islamic legislation, manifested in the specificity of rulings related to the Sacred Sanctuary (Haram), particularly the prohibition of hunting, which establishes the concept of "spatial coexistence" encompassing humans, animals, and plants; the Holy Quran presents a unique model in dealing with sacred space that goes beyond the traditional understanding of sacredness as merely geographical designation, to establishing the concept of "civilizational space" that reflects Islam's vision of the relationship between humans, place, and time; the establishment of the concept of "comprehensive security" in sacred space to include all beings, which establishes an advanced environmental model in dealing with sacred space, achieving environmental balance and protecting biodiversity; the study reveals the close relationship between sacred space and Islamic identity, through the Holy Quran's designation of the Kaaba as the direction of prayer for Muslims and a symbol of their unity and civilizational belonging.