Between Jerusalem and Mecca

Reviewed by: Afsan Redwan – Cardiff University, UK

Published by: Berlin/Boston: De Gruyter, 2023, 246pp. ISBN: 978-3111222318.

The book under review explores the complex religious sanctification and cultural significance of two of Islam’s holiest cities, Jerusalem and Mecca. Drawing from a wealth of Islamic texts, historical sources, and scholarly interpretations, Rubin explores the intertwined narratives that connect these two cities within the framework of Islamic theology and tradition.

Rubin’s work posits that the competition for sanctity between Jerusalem and Mecca originates directly from Qur’ānic and traditional sources, challenging the prevailing notion that it was primarily a result of political reframing during the Umayyad period. He emphasises the crucial association between classical sources and Jerusalem’s sanctification, highlighting its significance in understanding Islam’s competitive relationship between the two holy cities. Rubin vehemently argues that the key to unravelling this relationship – contrary to common belief