Early mosques not oriented towards Mecca

[ghost]

Puin has also read it.

http://searchformecca.com

http://searchformecca.com/meccaquestion.html
http://searchformecca.com/evidence.html
http://searchformecca.com/downloads.html
http://searchformecca.com/links.html

http://searchformecca.com/forum/

[beowulf]

Muslims initially prayed facing Jerusalem. Asking why they now pray facing Mecca is for fools (pagans, hypocrites, and Jews).

2 :142. The fools (pagans, hypocrites, and Jews) among the people will say, "What has turned them (Muslims) from their Qibla [prayer direction (towards Jerusalem)] to which they were used to face in prayer." Say, (O Muhammad ) "To Allâh belong both, east and the west. He guides whom He wills to a Straight Way."

There is no need to ask why it was changed: It was a way of testing for obedience; like the prohibition to eat of a certain tree in the Garden of Eden

2 :143. Thus We have made you [true Muslims - real believers of Islâmic Monotheism, true followers of Prophet Muhammad and his Sunnah (legal ways)], a Wasat (just) (and the best) nation, that you be witnesses over mankind and the Messenger (Muhammad) be a witness over you.

And We made the Qiblah (prayer direction towards Jerusalem) which you used to face, only to test those who followed the Messenger (Muhammad ) from those who would turn on their heels (i.e. disobey the Messenger).
Indeed it was great (heavy) except for those whom Allâh guided. And Allâh would never make your faith (prayers) to be lost (i.e. your prayers offered towards Jerusalem). Truly, Allâh is full of kindness, the Most Merciful towards mankind.

[ghost]

Jerusalem

The website shows evidence that some mosques are not oriented towards Jerusalem either.

http://searchformecca.com/timeline.html

[beowulf]

Is that important?

[ghost]

Is that important?

Yes, because it contradicts traditional Muslim accounts.

[beowulf]

Is that important?

Yes, because it contradicts traditional Muslim accounts.

The early mosques were built over 1000 years ago. The builders used astronomy to guide their work: this method is not a precision tool
The whole wall , qibla, was orientated . The early mosques did not have a mihrab and this added to the lack of precision in the design.


By how many degrees are these mosques off the correct axis?

[ghost]

By how many degrees are these mosques off the correct axis?

By a lot. These are not mere astronomical errors. Some are intentionally oriented in directions that are not Mecca, such as Petra.

[beowulf]

By how many degrees are these mosques off the correct axis?

By a lot. These are not mere astronomical errors. Some are intentionally oriented in directions that are not Mecca, such as Petra.

Could we examine the evidence for Petra?

[ghost]

Could we examine the evidence for Petra?

This one, for example:

http://searchformecca.com/timeline.html

Ummayad palace in Amman faces Petra (82 AH)

[beowulf]

Some are intentionally oriented in directions that are not Mecca, such as Petra.

Could we examine the evidence for Petra?