Makka Al-Mukarramah in the Bible

” and I will glorify the House of My Glory”    Isaiah (60)

Isaiah (60)

Chapter Isaiah (60) is a prophecy that provides a description of a future holy city. Jewish and Christian sources claim that this city is Jerusalem,

A quick glance at the bold texts (in red) below shows clearly that Makka is fitting all prophet Isaiah descriptions, and there is no other city in world which shares with Makka these merits excluding Madena the Prophet Muhammad city (pbuh).

But a quick glance at it shows clearly that the city he meant is indeed Makka, since the description is exactly fitting her; there is no other place on earth which can fit into this description more than Makka.

Isaiah (60): International Standard Version (ISV)

¹ Arise, shine; for your light is come, and the glory of God is risen upon you.

² For, behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the peoples; but God will arise upon you, and his glory shall be seen upon you (Remembrance of God and prayers are noticed in Makka more than any place in the world).

³ And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.

⁴ Lift up your eyes round about, and see: they all gather themselves together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far, and your daughters shall be carried in the arms.
⁵ Then you shall see and be radiant, and your heart shall thrill and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be turned unto you, the wealth of the nations shall come unto you.
⁶ The multitude of camels shall cover you, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come; they shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praises of God.
⁷ All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto you, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto you; they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar; and I will glorify the house of my glory.

(Kedar is the second in order of the sons of Ishmael, father of many important Arab tribes. It is through Kedar, genealogists trace the descent of Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) from Ishmael.)   

…….

¹¹ Your gates also shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto you the wealth of the nations, and their kings led captive.

¹² For that nation and kingdom that will not serve you shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted.
…….
¹⁵ Whereas you have been forsaken and hated, so that no man passed through you, I will make you an eternal Excellency, a joy of many generations.

This Holy City Must be Makka

No city in the world satisfies this prophecy except Makka. She is indeed filled with the glory of God as Isaiah (60-1,2) says: (God will arise upon you, and his glory shall be seen upon you).

There is no city in the world similar to Makka. Remembrance of God and prayers to Him are continually offered in Makka all the time of the day or night, unlike other places of worship in the world. Prophecy tells that  Gates of the Promised Holy City will always stand open. They will never be shut, day or night. This applies to Makka, which constantly welcomes the worshippers. Its Mosque is never closed; its Gates are continually open, day and night.

The Hajj (pilgrimage)

The Hajj (pilgrimage) time, is the precious occasion where Makka shows her glory to all peoples around the world: Muslim and non-Muslim alike; as the prophecy says: “All nations come to visit her.”  

Makka teaches the world a lesson on unity and equality of humanity. People from every walk in life, from all social status: kings and subjects, men and women, from all races, nationalities, and color come from far and near places and gather together in Makka in order to serve the only One God and glorify His Glory.

Restoring the glory of Makka

This prophecy is ended by showing God’s great blessings upon Makka; it had been forgotten, forsaken, and hated for long time. The glory of Makka was masked for centuries by the Christians and Jews. Biblical texts that directly refer to Makka and Arabs have been modified and subjected to editing in order to remove the children of Ishmael, Arabs, from the Covenant God gave to their father Abraham (pbuh). God’s Covenant naturally included Abraham (pbuh) himself and all of his children, from his two wives Sarah and Hajar (pbut).

This prophecy in the Bible had been fulfilled in reality in the Holy City of Makkah Al-Mukkaramah after the mission of Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) and the change of the direction of prayers to it.  So that she became the major religious holy city in the world.

It is not Jerusalem

As we see that careful reading of the prophecy, considering the history of the city of Jerusalem, affirms that Jerusalem does not fit the prophecy. The city that fits Isaiah description is indeed Makka; and it could not be Jerusalem in any way. Jerusalem, according to the Bible is the city for the Jews, it is not for all nations; Jerusalem gates are not open day and night. Its history is full of bloody conflicts and killings. Jerusalem is not a main center for systematic pilgrimage, where millions from around the world gather for pilgrimage to fulfill this prophecy. Since Jerusalem is dominated by the Jews at present time, it is constantly troubled and caught in endless conflicts due to the great injustice afflicted its own people.

An Invitation to Islam

Makkah must be the Promised holy City where the Glory Of God Rises. The Hajj season is just the proper time for the wise and smart people, particularly the learned Christians and Jews, to rethink Islam, and restudy the so many references in the Bible to Makkah, in the light of historical facts and present realities, maybe they would realize the truth of the Unity of God and turn to Him in Submission.