The Ayodhya Temple-Mosque Dispute: Focus on Muslim Sources c19.11

c19.11

It has also to be borne in mind that the Hindus' claim upon the Bābarī mosque deserves to be understood by the Muslims on the pattern of the Prophet's claim upon the Ka'bah. According to the Qur'ān, the Ka'bah is as old as at least Abraham and Ishmael, who built or rebuilt it as the house of Allāh.³ Abraham preceded the Prophet by some 2700 years. The Prophet's taking forcible possession of the Ka'bah is sought to be justified on the plea that it was originally the house of Allāh, not of idols. Likewise, the Hindus believe that the Bābarī mosque was originally a house of idols of Rāma, Sītā, and suchlike for less then half a millennium. Hence, they argue, it belongs to them and should be restored to them. Therefore, it does not lie in the mouth of the followers of the Prophet to find fault with the Hindus' claim over the Bābarī mosque.