The Idea of Hagarean Origin of Islam; Analysis and Critique

Patricia Crone and Michael Cook, in their theory of Hagarism, have claimed that Islam has had a Hagarean Origin. The theory says that the origin of Islam, was not in Mecca and Medina, but was in an area at northwest ofArabia, a place which historically was known as the settlement of the Hagareans and Ishmaelites, especially according to Jewish documents. Their relay in this claim is upon sameness of the Mahgraye and Muslims, identifying some Biblical names with Islamic places, and being Petra as the first Qiblah of Muslims. This article shows that their arguments are weak, from both of these viewpoints: understanding the texts, and finding the cause of non-exact orientation of Mihrabs of the early mosques.