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Every time I hear about books being destroyed in the past, it breaks my heart. So much knowledge gone forever.

I absolutely love history. I'm a Christian. In order to understand the present you have to understand the past. Something that kids are sadly not taught.

Whether you are a Muslim or not, I think this scholarly research should be fascinating to anyone interested in history.

As someone who has ghost-written several books about the early history of Islam, this is actually a very well researched and thoughtful documentary. All too often you see widely popular theories about Islam by people who don't know even the most basic facts about Islam, Islamic history, Mohammad, or the Arabic language and those are extremely frustrating. Dan Gibson does actually know what he's talking about. Whether you agree or disagree with his conclusions about Islam it's obvious to me--as someone who has studied and written extensively on the topic--that he does know the subject matter and cares about it.

Even as a non-Muslim, a Christian, I am appalled by the burning of so many books. It seems to me to be a terrible act of vandalism and a complete destruction of many, many historical texts. How our modern historians would have loved to have pored over so many pieces of historical writings! To say it took many months to burn all those books shows that an absolutely enormous amount of irreplaceable historical texts, of immense importance, were burned - for fuel! All the work of the scribes, the many years it would have taken them to painstakingly write out those texts, which must have been precious to them - just gone up in smoke! This is truly very sad.

Hands down one of of the most insightful research and documentary ever done and seen. Spectacular work sir 🙏🏼

An amazing documentary. I am so grateful that there are people who dedicate their lives to unraveling such unanswered mysteries. It makes me realize that all throughout history there are those forces that try to rewrite history to inforce their agenda as well as those forces that work to uncover the truth.

This theory was proposed by Dan Gibson, a Canadian amateur archaeologist, who claimed that early mosques face the modern direction of Petra rather than the modern direction of Mecca⁴. He based his argument on his own measurements of mosque orientations and his interpretation of historical sources. However, his theory has been challenged and refuted by many scholars who have expertise in Islamic history, astronomy, geography, and architecture. Some of these scholars are: - David A. King, a professor of the history of science at Johann Wolfgang Goethe University in Frankfurt. He wrote a book called "The Petra Fallacy: Early Mosques do face the Sacred Kaaba in Mecca but Dan Gibson doesn't know how"¹², where he exposed the flaws and fallacies in Gibson's methodology and conclusions. He showed that Gibson ignored the historical and astronomical evidence that Muslims used different methods to determine the qibla (the sacred direction toward the Kaaba in Mecca) in different times and places, and that Gibson compared historical mosque orientations with modern directions of Petra and Mecca, which are not the same due to the curvature of the earth and the precession of the equinoxes. He also provided a comprehensive bibliography of works on historical qibla determinations by Muslim and Western scholars. - Patricia Crone, a historian of early Islam who taught at Princeton University. She cast doubt on the claim that Mecca was a major historical trading outpost, which was one of the premises of Gibson's theory³. However, she did not deny the existence or importance of Mecca as the birthplace of Islam and the location of the Kaaba. She also later on disregarded some of her theories and acknowledged that there was evidence for Mecca's role in the pre-Islamic and early Islamic periods. - Glen Bowersock, a professor emeritus of ancient history at Princeton University. He disagreed with Crone and asserted that Mecca was indeed a significant trading center in the Arabian Peninsula, and that there was archaeological and epigraphic evidence for its involvement in the spice trade and the pilgrimage to the Kaaba³. He also criticized Gibson's theory as a "fantasy" and a "conspiracy theory" that lacked any historical or scientific basis. (1) Dan Gibson (author) - Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Gibson_%28author%29. (2) The Petra Fallacy: Early Mosques do face the Sacred Kaaba in Mecca .... muslimheritage.com/the-petra-fallacy/. (3) THE PETRA FALLACY 01.12 - Muslim Heritage. muslimheritage.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/petra-fallacy.pdf. (4) Kaaba - Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaaba.

The narrative about the history of the Ka'bah and Islam is fastinàting and educative. The research has not only developed a new perspective, it has questioned the very foundation of Islam.

why non-Muslim call the Kaaba the Black Rock? It s a cube covered with black cloth. The colour of the cube s not even black.

What a GREAT video! Great research! I am convinced Petra it where is started. Thanks DAN +

What a incredible research documentary. As a non-Muslim, I still found it very interesting. I agree with others, the burning of the books is extremely sad.

There are few flaws for this theory. First thing is Cave of Hira location where Muhammad SAW first met Jibril. And second is how the hell did they miss Zam zam well? Also what is this black rock? Do you mean Hajr Aswad? If that is the black rock, we don't pray at it. Ka'abah is just a direction we have to pray towards. If these simple things you can miss, please don't call yourself some 'hIsToRiAn'

The video suggest we all muslim to research, study and show more fact in form of evidence rather than just telling story that easily could be another lie or false statement make by the elders or powerfull person. This video should encourage we, the muslim to study more and tell them the story with fact and studies, not just a word, speeches or writing form that easily make the muslim argue to each other and confiusing. We should change our ways to tell the people about the truth in islam more effective ways with fact and proves that will bring a big impact that no one can argue. Surely this video is a theory, but just look how some of the muslim react on this video. How big the effort it take to makes muslim unite into one if there is certain arguement which is not base on fact that all muslim will accept. If there is a strong prove or evidence we show, there is no arguement needed. Read, study, examinate the fact and prove it in more effective ways are needed to prevent any doubt in many claims we makes. Its hard, but surely someone should do that and spread the truth or the claims we make with fact and proves. Thats it for now. Sorry if there is any mistake from this comment, and also for my bad english. Im just taking the good moral value from the video, not to argue to anyone about anythings. Maybe im not the only person that want a clear explaination about certain things. The ways of we, the muslim telling, preaching or teaching need to be change to the better ways that more effective according to the new generation of thinking that have different mentality. Tq for reading, be good person and have a nice days everyone.

Wow as a Muslim this is an eye opener

This information is just amazing, with ultimate micro detailing and connected data. Luckily the religion and incidents were not too old to track down. Thank you Mr Dan and team for the wonderful work of the masterpiece. Well appreciated.

I don't imagine this video is popular with the Meccan tourist industry!

Be steadfast, Be steadfast {Muhammad}, Like those messenger of firm resolve. On the Day they see what they had been warned about, it will seem to them that they lingered no more than a single hour of a single day (in this life). This Is a Warning. Shall any be destroyed except the defiant? Qs. Al-Ahqaf 35. (46:35).

Makes you wonder what were those manuscripts burned.

Wow, really interesting and thorough documentary!! I really enjoyed watching this!

The zamzam water is in mecca rightnow. Can't move that zam zam well to another location.

Absolute History, Muslims submit themselves to Allah and not to the religion of Islam, rather Islam is the religion they follow.

An excellent in-depth content and analysis! Mabrook ya Dan Gibson, Mabrook!

We learn at school, twice a year, Sun will align directly above the kaabah known as Istiwa' A'dzam. We can determine the exact direction of the Kaabah by placing a wooden stick vertically in the ground; the direction of the Qiblat will be the exact opposite to the stick’s shadow. It's easier for us facing Makkah Al-Mukarramah, Alhamdulillah.

Another very important place is Medina(Madinah/Yathrib). Should try to relate this to Petra. Prophet Mohammad travelled several times between Mecca n Medina. Surely there will be records in term of directions.

This is my first experience to know about the history of Mecca and Petra. We’ll explain. Appreciate your hard work on research on untold story.

Its quite a interesting theory' this is what he suggests by the facts he has discovered Its very interesting to have listened. Like always the victor writes history. Thats how history works destroy records and write your own history.

Outstanding! I knew that the ancient City of Petra was far more important than most scholars would admit, or at least it warranted a deep dive investigation. I have always believed Petra is/was an incredibly important site for the Islamic Culture. You, Dan Gibson, have confirmed my long held belief that Petra is a very holy site (and still is) in Islamic History. Many thanks for your dedication and hard work. As a student of Anthropolgy, Fine Art, Geographical Information Systems and Geology, I was seriously struck with your findings. I've always been fascinated with Petra (I hope to see it someday); everytime I view the magnificent City, I have an overwhelming feeling that it is a site of massive importance. Many, many thanks. From, Sacramento, California.

Bilal was the first person ever to call to prayer. He called to prayer in presence of the prophet of Muhammad (S.A.W) in Mecca not Becca or Petra.

as we know Abraham (a.s) wife and son (ismaeel) were in desert and Ismaeel started crying because of starvation his mother was running from safaw to mrwah for water . ismaeel started crying and beating his feets on earth as a fountain formed in earth thats when it flowing alot so she started screaming "stop stop" which translates in arabic to "zam zam" ...

Faith and belief are two different thing. Our almighty ALLAH is everywhere, but good to know we all learn something new everyday. One thing for sure always answer me when I cry to no matter where I reside. Peace upon you all.

An absolutely great video. I learned a lot and tons made sense.

Surely it's more important that all Muslims are facing the same way, since they don't pray for the Kaba, they pray for God. The direction is to unite. Also, if it's the wrong place why are the other holy sites (like the well and the mountains) all in the vicinity?

Guys i know they seem like they know what they’re saying but.. masjid doesn’t really mean gathering at all and in any sense.. masjid in arabic translates to the place of sojood.. sojood is prostration so masjid is just place of prostration which translated to mosque.. place of prayer..

As soon as I heard the premise of this documentary about 3 minutes in, I was like, "hang on, who is this" so I looked him up. He's self published. Never published any actual academic papers. I can't even find info on where he went to school. If you're going to make a documentary and heavily feature an "expert," you should really disclose his credentials

A timeless documentary, amazing work.

Why no explanation about nabawi mosque? It was build by prophet Muhammad himself

Who TF conclude that we're praying towards the rock? we're NOT facing the rock but the whole building of Ka'bah and remember we're just facing, not praying to

Can’t believe I watched all of this and I’m a Catholic 😂❤

Always thank you for keeping us informed

Winners write history, always.

Fascinating. The scientific method and historiography are well done. Thank you.

(لِإِيلَافِ قُرَيْشٍ (1) إِيلَافِهِمْ رِحْلَةَ الشِّتَاءِ وَالصَّيْفِ (2) فَلْيَعْبُدُوا رَبَّ هَذَا الْبَيْتِ (3) الَّذِي أَطْعَمَهُمْ مِنْ جُوعٍ وَآمَنَهُمْ مِنْ خَوْفٍ (4)) Read well this is in the Quraan

Five times everyday millions mumble in a language that they do not understand, said one Iranian Mohamad who converted to Christianity.

this is the opposite of what I read, in Quran it is explicit that the tribe who "carves houses into mountains" is refering to somebody else called "Thamud". Also prophet Muhammad was explicit about the minor sign of End of Days; that there's be tall building around Kaabah, which meant Kaabah in Prophet Muhammad's time do not have tall structure like it was in Petra.

Love your videos ,thank you for the insight.

In my place, Indonesia, Java, the mosque does not actually face the Qibla, but faces west, but when praying, of course it is slightly tilted by a few degrees and facing the Qibla, maybe when building a mosque there are many aspects that must be considered, such as location, road access , gps technology that did not exist in the past, not everyone can know the accurate direction using stars

Title: The Sacred City - Kaaba In Mecca Content: only opinions that the holy city isn't in Mecca, by forgetting some facts from Islamic history Such a waste 🙄

in 9.37 minutes they say mohamed (saw) died unexpectedly.. what is this , he even gave a farewell sermon to his people knowing that his time is very near...

This is amazing and does not cause harm to "Big Religion". It is actually very respectful. Peace

Proud to be a Muslim going Saudi Arabia for my 1st Ummrah in 10 days inshallah ☝🏻🕋

Isn't the picture of Kabaa or the Kabaa worshipping an IDOL.Its a stone that is worshipped.

How can you misplace an entire city? Is that even possible?

No amount of evidence can change what people believe.

absolutely fascinating views, research, definitely convincing

It is always still a conflict when building a masjid so minor variations takes place in direction or qibla.mostly in old days

The location of Masjid Al-Aqsa was the original qibla

Absolutely fascinating ❤

Am a muslim and am so impressed by all of this thank you for correcting some things that got misunderstood ❤

1:13:20 goddamn all that lost knowledge

0:43 *We don't face the black rock but the location of the kaba building and it's surrounding area which is a little bigger and elliptical in shape.*

I note, not many of any muslims commented on this… I watch this and it answers many long standing questions and makes perfect sense. I’d be interested to hear Muslims feelings on this…

Dear sir, we muslims are teached, how to find the kibla the direction for prayers. It Is very simple that's by looking at the our shadow with the sun only. Early morning from 6.00am to 12.00 noon we have to face alone the direction of our shadow. And after 12.00 noon till night ,we have face opposite to the direction of our shadow. This shadow of ours should be only with the help of the sun. Which gives only one direction. Due to time passes or earthquakes if the direction changes. this is the only way to identify the true direction. If iam wrong pls correct me.thank you❤

Petra was there during Romans period the Roman accounts doesn't support that it was inhabited by Qureish.

Ka'aba was suppose to destroy by king abraha of yemen bcoz of jealousy who witnessed by prophet uncle before the prophet birth but ababel birds sent down by Allah to destroy the soldiers of king abraha.

Maybe it will help with the preservation of Petra as a holy site if they agree it is true. Maybe it would also help with any restoration efforts as well.

Dedicated great work. 👍

your claim have a lot of problems: 1- We know that The First who built the Kaaba was Ibrahim and his son Ismael, because Allah ordered Abraham to Immigrate with his wife to a place which no water, no food, no crops, no trees which is Mecca not Petra (Petra have water, food, trees...) but when they reach to Mecca, he went back by Order of God leaving his wife and son in this place with small amount of food and water, after few weeks, the food and water end, so Hajar started going between Safa and Marwa 7 times searching for water and food, but she don't find anything until she heard Angel Gabriel hit the ground and then the Zamzam water that we know in Mecca appeared this water is special, even the science prove that this water is the most pure and blessed water in the earth, after that Abraham come back to Mecca to kill his Son (Ismael) but we know what happened, after that Allah ordered Ibrahim and Ismael to build The Kaaba, in certain position (Mecca) near to the place that he leave her wife and his son (Mecca) and they built it, two things also proves that that position located in Mecca, 1- because that place must be not inhabitants, but Petra is really old city older than Ibrahim himself (this proven historically) 2- that place must be in desert, without no source of living (Mecca not Petra) because after he finished the building of Kaaba, he demanded Allah to make this place full of blessings and crops so if he was in Petra why he will demand Allah to make the place agriculture if it already agriculture so even The sol of Mecca not good for growing, Allah make it possible. 2- The Prophet travelled to Ethiopia by the sea, which close to Mecca and very far from Petra 3- Petra was under the control of Romans during the first period of Islam and we know that Quraysh wasn't under the control of Romans but they was part of Arab tribes that lives individually (no country or civilization) 4- Also Petra during that time was Christian but Quraish are polytheism worshipping the idols. 5- Also Battle of Badr and Uhud occurred near to Mecca and Medina so if Quraysh was in Petra then why these battles occurred near to Mecca and above that one of reasons why Battle of Uhud occurred because Muslims stopped Quraish from going to Syria, now just imagine, Quraish in Petra and Islam in Medina, how Muslims can break the line between Syria and Quraish??? 6- Allah promised to Protect the Kaaba from the Disasters until the time of destruction which will be in future when Dhu'l-Suwayqatayn will destroy it, and he is from Ethiopia, that means that Ethiopia is close to Kaaba so Mecca not Petra also Allah mentioned Mecca in The Holy book which Allah promised to protect it from hands of corrupters so Mecca exist 7- Also the word Mecca means the place where people really want to go so it's not change from Becca to Mecca but it has a meaning 8- For The Qiblah: People before 14 centuries don't have much of knowledge where the Qibla located exactly they aren't machines or they have GPS that's why Allah says that Qibla must be toward *Chatr* Masjid Al Haram (I already proved is located in Mecca) please put 100 lines under *Chatr* , Chatr means around Masjid Al Haram not itself 100%, and even those in Africa and Europe who put their Qibla to South Africa they are following Chatr of Mecca! 9- Also Allah mentioned the place of Prophet Muhammad by saying we made you in middle nation, of course Mecca is in exactly in middle of Arabian peninsula not Petra. 10- Also in Sahih Hadith, Prophet Muhammad mentioned Mecca as his city. 11- Also Muhammad predicted that around Kaaba tall buildings will construct 12- Just Imagine Allah/God let this mistake occur it's impossible, especially when Allah promised Ibrahim that Kaaba that he built will be gathered by million of people, so if even Ibrahim built the original Kaaba in Petra, then we will see millions of Muslims there!

His explation about 3 different directions of every mosques built is to me is acceptable. I find this video story is something 90% right. Am sure before the mosque is guoing to finished Muslim leaders during those time are consulted about the exact direction because that is Muhammad instructions where to face direction in time of praying.

I'm surprised that Dan Gibson hasn't been attacked for saying that all Muslims are mistaken about Mecca and that they are all praying in the wrong direction when they pray.

your theory makes sense to me. Great research!

Very interesting documentary. As a paleontologist, I really hope people think about it more deeply instead of condemning it.

How about qiblat of Nabawi Mosque.?

This is not my faith but I love history. Thank you for the knowledge

Seeing the continuous reverts to Islam, they fear the power of the religion and the failure of theirs.

Hegra (Ancient Greek: Ἔγρα), also known as Mada’in Salih (Arabic: مَدَائِن صَالِح‎, romanized: madāʼin Ṣāliḥ, lit. 'Cities of Salih'), or Al-Ḥijr (ٱلْحِجْر) is located between Petra and Mecca, now in the territory of Saudi Arabia. The city of Hegra is usually called as second Petra because of its similar architecture style. Hegra is the southernmost and largest settlement of the Nabatean kingdom after Petra (its capital, modern-day Jordan), sometimes called as Nabatean's capital city for the souther region of the kingdom.

also inconsistency with Zam-zam water, since Petra is said to have a river then how to fit Zam-zam spring water into Petra as Mecca story? how to fit Medina which is 1000km away from Petra into the Petra as Mecca story? also the Tomb & the houses, if Petra is Mecca then why is the Tomb in Saudi Arabia, Mecca not in Petra?

Great job, Mr. Gibson! 👍 amazing discovery! God bless you for your work!

السلام عليكم الله اكبر السلام و عليكم لا اله الا الله محمد رسول الله الحمدُ الله

When a non-Muslim explains about Islam and hasn't studied Islam thoroughly then makes a video that's how it is!

Chill with the ads

Nice documentary, Thank you

Very interesting! It is a pity that the Muslims destroyed so many ancient writings. Why did they fear that the writings would weaken their faith?

The continent is shifting my friend! Do you think we have the same and exact measurement nowadays? We pray in unity. Not praying to a stone or a certain place. We pray directly to Allah in heaven. not on a certain thing. Even jacob had holy place before (jacob's ladder) whre he put 12 pillars of stone. They always visited the place and worship Allah but not to the stairway or to the place. The speaker was not a scholar of islam either.

really interesting and serious work here, it's always good to question what the History wrote, depending on who wrote it indeed, to see the original truth. And this is not only a question for Islam but for all religious and even Human's History and origins in general

Considering that Mekka is the one major site of Saudi Arabia, I can't help but think of what happened to that other journalist who pissed off a royal family member of the country surrounding this city.

There's no Zam-Zam well in Petra, the well is a proof of there's Ismail's miracle when he was born...

Since when did we start to pray towards the black rock. The heck? It's the whole structure.

I'd like to hear the debates on the final questions!

Thank you for your research and hope this information will reach every horn of the world.

Islam, Judaism, Christianity is same one god ❤❤

Interesting. Where does it say Mohammed destroyed many other stone Gods?In which City?

It is truly amazing that the Qibla of Guangzhou could direct to Petra thousands of km away at that time.

One theory is it is Petra in Jordan. Changed to another place to protect Petra. Early Mosques faced towards there in some reports. I hope this discussion mentions such ideas. It makes more sense it was Petra.

this is insane to compare the qibla direction in degrees using latest gps devices with 650 AD methods of finding directions :)

I really enjoy how Christianity got us out of the desert.

very interesting material

I liked this but the 15 adverts really didnt help.

They say that Idol worshipping is a sin in their religion and still worship a black rock. funny