well that is what Marc
uS says .. for
dear Marc S ., I am not certain that you are reading mundi ., let us read it again.
Altara,
You admitted at the beginning of our convo that the core theology was simple, the Koran did not play a big role,
EXCEPT for 2:125....
You can assume that, but there is no proof. 2:125 doesnt say that Arabs should start building on the Temple Mount. It is just the cryptic story of Abraham building a house etc...
Yes, it is possible some litterati found inspiration in that verse, but another 1001 possibilities exist for them to have found inspiration in other stuff.
and what mundi saying is nothing to do with what you said here to Altara
Well that is not correct. Actually Abraham in the Bible built 4 altars as described in Genesis (12:6-7 ; 12:8 ; 13:18 ; 22:9). 22:9 is the altar originally built for the sacrifice of Isaac but that didn't go through as we know ; it was never called a House ; the only place that links Abraham to a house is when he built an altar in Bethel (in Hebrew it means the House of God) but the pact of Abraham's house with God through circumcision happened in Mamre a place that would see a lot of arabs flocking there for pilgrimmage in the 5th century as reported by Sozomenes.
what you wrote above is NOTHING TO DO WITH QURAN verse and what Altara saying.. what you said above is theology from OT story ., The story of
arabs flocking there for pilgrimmage in the 5th century as reported by Sozomenes
may be true and what all it says is Arab nomads were innocent pagan folks ... and
they looked at that spectacle of circumcision with reverence as they did not have have such ritual in their culture *************************************************************************
This is what both mundi and Altara are saying .......Quran is book of riddles that tells OT/NT stories in few cryptic words through dialogues ......
and mundi and Altara are having different opinions on the use of that verse 2:125 in Quran with reference to 637 mosque building by who ..
? (we don't know)
Altara: I consider that the reason of the 637 mosque can be find in Q 125-127 studied by literati accompanying the Arabs leaders. There is no need of deciphering and studying the all Quranic texts to explain what says those two verses.
The later Jerusalem focus tradition narrative comes to explain why there is the Dome of the Rock and the al Aqsa mosque.
And Altara and mundi both are right with reference to those Quran verse/s .. well let me read Quran,, The book of riddles.. sonnets and songs ..
119.
Surely We have sent you with the truth as a bearer of good news and as a warner, and you shall not be called upon to answer for the companions of the flaming fire.120.
And the Jews will not be pleased with you, nor the Christians until you follow their religion. Say: Surely Allah's guidance, that is the (true) guidance. And if you follow their desires after the knowledge that has come to you, you shall have no guardian from Allah, nor any helper.121.
Those to whom We have given the Book read it as it ought to be read. These believe in it; and whoever disbelieves in it, these it is that are the losers.122.
O children of Israel, call to mind My favor which I bestowed on you and that I made you excel the nations.123.
And be on your guard against a day when no soul shall avail another in the least neither shall any compensation be accepted from it, nor shall intercession profit it, nor shall they be helped.124.
And when his Lord tried Ibrahim with certain words, he fulfilled them. He said: Surely I will make you an Imam of men. Ibrahim said: And of my offspring? My covenant does not include the unjust, said He.125. And when We made the House a pilgrimage for men and a (place of) security, and: Appoint for yourselves a place of prayer on the standing-place of Ibrahim. And We enjoined Ibrahim and Ismail saying: Purify My House for those who visit (it) and those who abide (in it) for devotion and those who bow down (and) those who prostrate themselves.
126.
And when Ibrahim said: My Lord, make it a secure town and provide its people with fruits, such of them as believe in Allah and the last day. He said: And whoever disbelieves, I will grant him enjoyment for a short while, then I will drive him to the chastisement of the fire; and it is an evil destination.127.
And when Ibrahim and Ismail raised the foundations of the House: Our Lord! accept from us; surely Thou art the Hearing, the Knowing:128.
Our Lord! and make us both submissive to Thee and (raise) from our offspring a nation submitting to Thee, and show us our ways of devotion and turn to us (mercifully), surely Thou art the Oft-returning (to mercy), the Merciful.
129.
Our Lord! and raise up in them an Apostle from among them who shall recite to them Thy communications and teach them the Book and the wisdom, and purify them; surely Thou art the Mighty, the Wise.
what is there in those 9 verses is very little to do with OT stories,, except that verse 125 .. in the form of riddle .. what is important in those 9 verses for the people of that time is this verse
120. And the Jews will not be pleased with you, nor the Christians until you follow their religion. Say: Surely Allah's guidance, that is the (true) guidance. And if you follow their desires after the knowledge that has come to you, you shall have no guardian from Allah, nor any helper.[/i]
now dear mundi forget verse 125 but question to you on verse 120...
Do you think that verse was there in original Quran manuscripts say in the year 637? or was it added in to the book at a later times?? 
Topic: Qur'anic studies today