Babylon

Babylon is an ancient city in Mesopotamia, famously known as the place where Abraham was cast into fire. The name is rendered as "Babel" or "Bavel" in Hebrew, "Babylon" in Greek, and originally "Bab-ilu" or earlier "Bab-illim," meaning "the gate of God."

The ruins of Babylon lie on the banks of the Euphrates River, near modern-day Hillah, approximately 88 kilometers south of Baghdad. The region historically extended from Baghdad to the Persian Gulf and was a continuous battleground between the Sumerians and Akkadians (Semites), and later the Assyrians and Babylonians.

Babylon's origins stem from a blend of Akkadian and Sumerian peoples, predominantly Semitic in culture. The city's name has no identifiable Sumerian or Semitic roots, suggesting it predates these civilizations.

Hammurabi, the compiler of the first known code of laws, ruled during the First Babylonian Dynasty in the 18th century BC. Another famous ruler was Nebuchadnezzar II (reigned 605–562 BC), from the Fourth Babylonian Dynasty (Chaldeans), known for his conquest of Jerusalem and the Jewish exile.

During Nebuchadnezzar's reign, Babylon reached its peak. Grand palaces, hanging gardens, massive temples and ziggurats, and impressive urban infrastructure made it one of the most magnificent capitals of the ancient world. Biblical and historical sources, including Herodotus, echo its grandeur.

Cyrus the Great of the Achaemenid Empire conquered Babylon in 539 BC, releasing the Jews from captivity. Alexander the Great later captured it in 331 BC, making it his capital. Following his untimely death, Babylon gradually declined.

Babylonian religion, rooted in Sumerian culture, included a shared pantheon of gods among Mesopotamian city-states. Despite polytheism, political expansion led to the elevation of certain city gods to supreme status, reducing the number of deities over time.

By the 9th century BC, the Babylonians had identified as many as 65,000 gods, reflecting their imaginative theology and practical worship. Celestial bodies like the sun god Shamash and moon god Sin were among the most revered.

Rituals were central to Babylonian worship. They offered food to statues considered alive, adorned them during ceremonies, and performed sacrifices. Only gods, not humans, were believed to ascend to heaven.

Babylon was known for its moral corruption. Herodotus mentions sacred prostitution and the killing of women during sieges. Superstition, magic, and astrology were deeply rooted in Babylonian life.

In Islamic tradition, Babylon is regarded as a cursed city and the site of future punishments. It is associated with stories of magic, astronomy, and early prophets. Some believe Noah's Ark was built there, and many prophets prayed in its vicinity.

Babylon in the Quran and Tafsir

Babylon is mentioned once in the Quran (Al-Baqarah 2:102) in the context of Harut and Marut, two angels who taught people magic as a divine test. Babylon is also connected to Prophet Abraham’s confrontation with idolatry and King Nimrod.

According to Islamic commentators, Abraham resided in Babylon, a land entrenched in polytheism. His disputes with idolaters and his survival from being cast into fire are pivotal episodes tied to the city.

Abraham challenged idol worship and introduced monotheism. The Quran and the Bible both associate Babylon with the confusion of languages following the construction of a great tower—believed by some to be the ziggurat of Marduk.

Harut and Marut

Surah Al-Baqarah 2:102 discusses the angels Harut and Marut who were sent to Babylon to teach people about magic as a test. Legends say they were imprisoned after succumbing to sin, but many commentators consider this symbolic, emphasizing their role as divine educators rather than sinners.

The Jewish Captivity in Babylon

The Jews’ captivity in Babylon (586–587 BC) is referenced in Surah Al-Isra (17:4–7). Babylonian forces destroyed Jerusalem, exiled the population, and held prominent figures like Daniel and Ezra. This exile deeply influenced Jewish beliefs and scriptures.

Stories like the Companions of the Ditch (Surah Al-Burooj 85:4) are linked to this period. The Babylonian exile represents one of the most formative events in Jewish history.

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