The Wahabis destroyed the grave of Mohammed

[Guest guest]

HinduThought, "Ashok Chowgule" <ashokvc

wrote:

 

In a discussion group, a member made the following statement: "Not

only do the Sunnis accuse the Shias of idolatry (images of Husain at

Karbala in the bazaars of Tehran, etc.), but the Wahhabis destroyed

the Saudi tomb of the Prophet (PBUH) to safeguard the Second

Commandment."

 

I asked for reference to this statement, since I had not come across

it.

Another member responded as follows:

 

The reference which Ashokji seeks can be found in Reza Aslan's

book, "No

God but God" (William Heinemann, London, 2005), pp 243-244. Describing

the rise of Wahhabism, Reza Aslan states "Abd al-Wahhab's holy

warriors

burst into the Hijaz, conquering Mecca and Medina, and expelling the

Sharif. Once established in the holy cities, they set about destroying

the tombs of the Prophet and his Companions, including those

pilgrimage

sites which marked the birthplace of Muhammad and his family. They

sacked the treasury of the Prophet's Mosque in Medina, and set fire to

every book they could find, save the Quran. They banned music and

flowers from the sacred cities and outlawed the smoking of tobacco and

the drinking of coffee. Under penalty of death they forced the men to

grow beards and the women to be veiled and secluded."

 

I have not cross checked the reference, but I have no reason to

believe

that the text is proper or the context is incorrect. Also, I have no

means of accessing the book. So, if anyone can check and correct me,

I

would be happy.

 

Namaste.

Ashok Chowgule