Marriage of Ismail peace upon him:

Allah’s prophet Ismail the son of Ibrahim got married and lived in Makah.  His father Ibrahim used to visit him frequently.  Ibrahim travelled to visit Ismail on one occasion to find Ismail away but his wife at home.  Ismail’s wife welcomed her husband’s father, but she went on complaining to him about the difficulties they have in making a living and making ends meet, and that they do not have enough food and are in need.

Ibrahim left before the return of Ismail from his travels, but he left him a message with his wife saying: “Change your door step”.  When Ismail returned, his wife gave him the message, which he told her to have meant that his father is telling him to divorce her, which he did.

Ismail remarried, and after some time Ibrahim travelled to visit his son Ismail peace upon them, and again Ismail was travelling away.  Ismail’s wife welcomed her husband’s father.  When he asked her about their life, she thanked Allah for having all they need, and for plenty of provisions.  Ibrahim peace upon him left before the return of his son peace upon him and left him a message saying: “Fix your door step firmly”.  When Ismail returned and his wife told him about his father’s visit and the message he left for him, he told her that the message meant for him to hang on tight to her and not let her go.

Ismail peace upon him lived in Makah, had a number of children and his children and their offspring spread throughout the Arabian Peninsula and beyond.  Of his offspring was a man called Abd Allah who had one child son called Mohamed the son of Abd Allah.

Ibrahim peace upon him had another son from his other wife, Sarah, the prophet Isaac peace upon him.  Isaac had a prophet son, Jacob peace upon him who is also called “Israel”.  From him came all the prophets of the Children of Israel up to Yehia (John the Baptist) and Jesus peace upon them.  There are no prophets or messengers between the Jesus peace upon him and Mohamed prayer and peace upon him.

Idle worshipping starting:

The Arabs continued to worship Allah the Highest only on the Religion of Ibrahim peace upon him.  They used to go to Pilgrimage and Omrah as Ibrahim taught them, but then Idolatry and idle worshipping began gradually to creep into their religion.  Each tribe made itself an Idle to worship, which they claimed to be a way of drawing them nearer to Allah.  Then idles were place around and even inside the Kabba, until they reached over 360 Idles.

Perversion of the rites of Hajj took place too.  An Idle was placed by the Safa and another by the Marwa.  Some people would do the Tawaf naked.  Others go to Hajj without food, saying that the guests of Allah, and then depend on people’s charity to them.  Some tribes like Qurish would not stand in Arafat.

This way, many of the rites of Hajj and Omrah were altered, although Hajj continued every year the same time and in the same places as Ibrahim peace upon him did.

The Other Houses:

The Arabs built houses similar to the Kabba in various parts of the Arab Peninsula.  They used to visit, glorify and go around them.  They also appointed keepers to look after them, and they also offered it offerings.  Yet, these houses were respected and glorifies out of respect to the Kabba, as if they were franchises of the Kabba.

Qurish and Kenanah had a house called Al-Azy.

Thaqeef had a house in Taef called Al-Lat.

Awse and Khazrag in Yathrib had a house by the sea called “Menah”.

Daws had a house called Zo Al-Khalsa

Tae had a house called Felse.

For the Yemen there was a house called Ream in Sanae.

Bani Rabeae had a house called Redaa.

Bakr and Talaab had a house called Zo Al-Kabaat.

These houses were like branches or franchises of the Kabba, from which they had their status and prestige.

These Idles and houses became the cornerstone of the religion, their pleasure was sought and gift and sacrifices were offered to them.  Each Idle and house had its faithful and those who seek and believe in its powers and blessings. 

Idolatry also created an industry and business.  There were those who made Idles from various materials like stone, wood or metal for people to place in their houses or otherwise.  Some would keep a small copy to take with them on their travels.  A Muslim man told us that during Idolatry had had his favorite idle made of compressed dates to carry with him while travelling.  He ran out of food in the desert and had to eat his favorite idle.

There were also priests for each idle, who will accept the gifts, offerings or sacrifices for the idle, also conduct prayers for different reasons like having wealth, healing for the sick or having children etc.  There was a sizable business and trade taking place around these idles and houses.  It is understandable that those benefiting from this trade would not find the idea of one God instead of hundreds appealing.

Certainly the Omrah and Hajj floured after Islam, and the removal or the Idles and the false houses.  There is so much demand on Hajj and Omrah, to the extend that the responsible Authorities had to limit and restrict the overall numbers of people going on Hajj or Omrah at any one time as well as the number of Muslims going from each country worldwide.

Thanks to Allah.

Dr. Ahmed Saafan