◈ Objection ①: How Did Idolatry Enter the House of Tawḥīd?
Summary of the Objection:
The objector argues that Prophet Ibrāhīm (عليه السلام) built the Kaʿbah as a center of monotheism. If that is true, then how did idolatry later become prevalent in it? And if someone occupied the Kaʿbah and placed idols in it, why is there no historical record of such an event?
Answer:
It is correct that no historical record exists of an invasion or occupation of the Kaʿbah, because such a military conquest never took place. Rather, idolatry gradually spread in Arabia, beginning with ʿAmr ibn Luḥayy, the chief of Banū Khuzaʿah. During a journey to Syria—then a land of prophets—he witnessed idol worship and assumed it to be part of a true religion. He brought an idol named Hubal to Makkah and installed it in the Kaʿbah.
The people of Makkah followed his example, and over time, shirk (polytheism) spread throughout the Arabian Peninsula.
(Reference: Kitāb al-Aṣnām by Ibn al-Kalbī, p. 28)
◈ Objection ②: The Historical Existence of the Zamzam Well
Summary of the Objection:
If Zamzam is associated with sacred traditions, why did the people of Makkah not reopen it after the Jurhum tribe left? And why did it take ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib to rediscover it?
Answer:
This objection is unreasonable and contrary to basic knowledge of Islamic history. According to Ibn Isḥāq, the Jurhum tribe, before their defeat, buried the Zamzam well with sand and rubble and hid golden idols and the Black Stone within it.
Over time, the exact location of the well was forgotten. Later, the Prophet’s grandfather, ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib, was guided in a dream to its site and he reopened it.
(Reference: Sīrat al-Nabī by Ibn Isḥāq, Muhammadiyyah University Edition, p. 64)
◈ Objection ③: Historical Existence of Makkah and the Kaʿbah
Summary of the Objection:
The objector claims that there is no mention of Makkah in any historical record prior to the 4th century CE. They also allege that the "Bakkah" mentioned in the Qur’an is the same as the biblical “Valley of Baca” in Jerusalem.
Answer:
✦ Mention of Bakkah:
The ancient name of Makkah was Bakkah, as mentioned in the Qur’an:
﴾إِنَّ أَوَّلَ بَيْتٍ وُضِعَ لِلنَّاسِ لَلَّذِي بِبَكَّةَ مُبَارَكًا﴿
"Indeed, the first House [of worship] established for mankind was that at Bakkah—blessed and a guidance for the worlds."
(Sūrah Āl ʿImrān 3:96)
In Psalm 84:6, the Bible states:
"As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools."
This verse clearly refers to Makkah, symbolically connecting it to the sacred Zamzam spring.
✦ Historical Testimonies about Makkah:
✔ Professor Dozy, a renowned French researcher, writes:
"Bakkah is the same place referred to by Greek geographers as 'Macoraba'."
(Reference: Modern Encyclopedia, Vol. 7, p. 392)
✔ The Roman historian Celsus mentioned Makkah and the Kaʿbah, writing:
"This temple is the oldest and most honorable of all shrines on earth."
(Reference: Carlyle, Heroes and Hero Worship)
✔ The ancient geographer Ptolemy mentioned Makkah with specific geographical coordinates:
"Longitude: 78°, Latitude: 13°."
(Reference: Yāqūt al-Ḥamawī, Muʿjam al-Buldān)
◈ Objection ④: Mention of Makkah and Zamzam in the Bible and Other Religions
Answer:
Prophet Ibrāhīm (عليه السلام), by divine command, left his wife Hājar (عليها السلام) and son Ismāʿīl (عليه السلام) in a barren valley—Makkah. The Bible records:
"When the water in the skin was gone, she put the boy under one of the bushes... Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water."
(Genesis 21:15–19)
This event refers to the origin of Zamzam. Likewise, references to Makkah and Zamzam are found in the Psalms and Book of Isaiah, though subsequent alterations have concealed the original meanings.
◈ Objection ⑤: Modern Science Refutes Religion
Answer:
This is a baseless claim. Islam continues to be the fastest-growing religion worldwide, with the majority of new converts coming from scientific and academic backgrounds.
Science in itself may be free from bias, but the misuse of science for prejudice is not new. Orientalists and critics often distort historical and scientific facts to support their biased narratives.
◈ Conclusion
✔ The historical reality of Makkah, the Kaʿbah, and Zamzam is supported by Qur’anic, Hadith, Biblical, and historical evidence.
✔ Most objections arise due to ignorance, misinterpretation, and prejudice.
✔ Muslims must maintain a strong grasp of their religious history and knowledge in order to respond effectively to such objections.
