Summary

Revisionist Theories on the Early History of Islam

This video explores two revisionist theories about the early history of Islam, specifically that the holiest city in Islam was originally Petra, not Mecca, and that the Quran was codified later than traditionally believed, possibly during the Umayyad or Abbasid rule, rather than during the rule of Caliph Uthman.

The Petra Theory

Revisionists, like Dan Gibson, challenge the traditional view that Muslims initially prayed towards Jerusalem before changing to Mecca, citing lack of early evidence and inconsistencies in Quranic verses and mosque orientations, suggesting Petra as a possible early direction of prayer. Some authors argue Mecca may not have been the original center of Islam, suggesting Petra as a more likely candidate due to its wealth and importance in Arabia.

Petra’s wealth and importance in Arabia make it a possible candidate for the original center of Islam.
Early Muslims may have lacked the geographical knowledge and mathematical skills to accurately determine the direction of either Petra or Mecca.
Inconsistencies with Mecca’s climate description in hadiths and the Quran’s description of Mecca as an “uncultivated valley” raise questions about Mecca’s role in early Islam.

Counterarguments to the Petra Theory

Traditionalists counter that early Muslims lacked the geographical knowledge and mathematical skills to accurately determine the direction of either Petra or Mecca, making it unlikely they could have intentionally oriented mosques towards Petra instead of Mecca. Additionally, the Quran describes Mecca as an “uncultivated valley”, and the city’s climate does not support cultivation.

Petra was ruled by the Christian Byzantine Empire, which would not have been a hub for idol worshiping, a key aspect of pre-Islamic Arabia and Muhammad’s teachings.
Mecca’s existence at the time of Islam’s founding is also questioned, with some arguing that pre-Islamic sources do not convincingly reference the city.
Ancient sources, including Diodorus Siculus, Ptolemy, and Ammianus Marcellinus, contain possible references to Mecca, such as a “holy temple” and a city named “Macoraba” or “Hierapolis”, although these are not entirely conclusive.

Historical Records and the Existence of Mecca

Historical records, including Greek sources and pre-Islamic Arab poems, reference the Jurhum tribe and a sacred house, potentially confirming Mecca and the Kaaba’s existence before Islam. Rock inscriptions near Mecca, dated to the early Islamic period, also support the connection between Islam and the city, mentioning the reconstruction of the Masjid al-Haram and Quranic verses.

The Codification of the Quran

Traditionalist scholars believe the Quran was finalized during the reign of Uthman or Abu Bakr, while some argue it was codified during Muhammad’s lifetime. Revisionists, however, claim the Quran was standardized many decades after Muhammad’s death, with some proposing it occurred in the 9th century during the Abbasid Caliphate.

Chase Robinson questions Uthman’s ability to standardize the Quran, suggesting Abd al-Malik had more power to impose a standardized version.
Analysis of early Quranic manuscripts, such as the Birmingham University Library manuscript, refutes the theory of late standardization, with radiocarbon dating and linguistic analysis indicating it likely originated from the Uthmanic period.

Conclusion

Revisionist historians question the traditional narrative of Islam’s emergence, but their theories are often based on incomplete evidence and ignore contradictory evidence, making their claims unreliable. The Quran’s content, including verses that show Muhammad’s flaws, argues against a late codification of the text. The channel aims to present impartial views on contentious matters, allowing viewers to form their own opinions, and invites them to subscribe and engage with their content, including exclusive weekly releases for patrons and members.

Key Vocabulary

Term	Definition	Example Usage
Revisionist Theories	Alternative perspectives on historical events that challenge traditional narratives.	Revisionist theories on the early history of Islam propose that Mecca may not have been the original center of Islam.
Petra Theory	A revisionist theory suggesting that Petra, not Mecca, was the original center of Islam.	The Petra Theory argues that early Muslims may have prayed towards Petra instead of Mecca due to its wealth and importance in Arabia.
Quranic Codification	The process of standardizing and finalizing the text of the Quran.	Revisionists claim that the Quran was codified many decades after Muhammad’s death, while traditionalists believe it was finalized during the reign of Uthman.
Umayyad Rule	The period of Islamic history from 661 to 750 CE, during which the Umayyad Caliphate ruled.	Some revisionists propose that the Quran was standardized during the Umayyad rule, rather than during the reign of Uthman.
Abbasid Caliphate	The period of Islamic history from 750 to 1258 CE, during which the Abbasid Caliphate ruled.	Some revisionists argue that the Quran was codified during the 9th century, during the Abbasid Caliphate.
Hadiths	Collections of sayings, actions, and approvals of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.	Inconsistencies between hadiths and the Quran’s description of Mecca raise questions about Mecca’s role in early Islam.
Traditionalist Scholars	Scholars who adhere to the traditional narrative of Islamic history.	Traditionalist scholars believe that the Quran was finalized during the reign of Uthman or Abu Bakr.
Caliph Uthman	The third caliph of Islam, who ruled from 644 to 656 CE.	Traditionalists believe that the Quran was finalized during the reign of Caliph Uthman.
Abd al-Malik	The fifth Umayyad caliph, who ruled from 685 to 705 CE.	Chase Robinson suggests that Abd al-Malik had more power to impose a standardized version of the Quran.
Quranic Manuscripts	Early written copies of the Quran.	Analysis of early Quranic manuscripts, such as the Birmingham University Library manuscript, refutes the theory of late standardization.

Watch The Video

Origins of Islam: Mecca or Petra?

Vocabulary Quiz

1. Which city is proposed by some revisionists as the original center of Islam instead of Mecca?

A) Jerusalem
B) Medina
C) Petra
D) Damascus

2. What is one of the reasons traditionalists give for why early Muslims could not have intentionally oriented mosques towards Petra instead of Mecca?

A) Lack of archaeological evidence for Petra’s existence
B) Early Muslims lacked the geographical knowledge and mathematical skills to accurately determine the direction of either Petra or Mecca
C) The Quran does not mention Petra as a holy city
D) Petra was not an important city in Arabia

3. According to some revisionists, when was the Quran possibly codified?

A) During the reign of Caliph Uthman
B) During the lifetime of Muhammad
C) During the Umayyad or Abbasid rule
D) In the 13th century

4. What is one of the pieces of evidence that supports the connection between Islam and Mecca?

A) Rock inscriptions near Medina
B) Greek sources referencing the city of Petra
C) Rock inscriptions near Mecca, dated to the early Islamic period
D) Pre-Islamic Arab poems that mention the city of Jerusalem

5. Who is one of the scholars that questions Uthman’s ability to standardize the Quran?

A) Dan Gibson
B) Chase Robinson
C) Abd al-Malik
D) Ammianus Marcellinus

Answer Key:

1. C
2. B
3. C
4. C
5. B

Grammar Focus

Grammar Focus: The Use of the Subjunctive Mood in English

The subjunctive mood is used to express doubt, uncertainty, possibility, or potentiality about a situation. It is often used in clauses beginning with words like “if,” “wish,” or “suggest.” In the context of the provided text, the subjunctive mood can be seen in phrases such as “it is suggested that” or “it is proposed that.” For example, “Revisionists suggest that the holiest city in Islam was originally Petra, not Mecca” implies a possibility or proposal rather than a fact. The subjunctive mood is typically formed using the base form of the verb, without the use of “will” or “would.” However, in modern English, the distinction between the subjunctive and indicative moods has largely disappeared, and the subjunctive is often used in formal or old-fashioned language.

Grammar Quiz:

Choose the correct answer for each question:

1. The revisionist theory ____________________ that the Quran was codified later than traditionally believed.

A) suggests
B) suggest
C) is suggesting
D) suggested

2. It ____________________ that the holiest city in Islam was originally Petra, not Mecca, according to some authors.

A) is proposed
B) propose
C) was proposed
D) has been proposed

3. The traditional view ____________________ that Muslims initially prayed towards Jerusalem before changing to Mecca.

A) suggests
B) is suggesting
C) has suggested
D) states

4. The Quran ____________________ to have been finalized during the reign of Uthman or Abu Bakr, according to traditionalist scholars.

A) is believed
B) was believed
C) has been believed
D) is thought

5. The channel aims to present impartial views on contentious matters, and ____________________ that viewers form their own opinions.

A) suggests
B) is suggesting
C) has suggested
D) wishes

Answer Key:

1. B) suggest

2. D) has been proposed

3. D) states

4. A) is believed

5. D) wishes