Max Shimba Ministries: Is the City Chosen by Allah the Same as That Chosen by Jehovah?

Thursday, July 10, 2025

Is the City Chosen by Allah the Same as That Chosen by Jehovah?

By Dr. Maxwell Shimba

Shimba Theological Institute | Max Shimba Ministries Org.

Introduction

The concept of sacred cities is central to both Islam and the Judeo-Christian tradition. However, an examination of Islamic and Biblical scriptures reveals a distinct difference between the city chosen by Allah in the Qur'an and the city chosen by Jehovah in the Bible. This paper investigates the cities designated as sacred by these two faiths and provides scriptural evidence for each, concluding with a theological analysis of the implications of these differences.

The City Chosen by Allah

According to the Qur'an, Allah chose the city of Mecca (Makkah) as his sacred city. Several verses explicitly affirm this:

Surah An-Naml (The Ants) 27:91 states:

“For me, I have been commanded to serve the Lord of this city (Makkah), Him Who has sanctified it and to Whom belongs all things…”
(Qur'an 27:91, Yusuf Ali Translation)
Surah Aal-Imran (The Family of Imran) 3:96 reads:

“The first House (of worship) appointed for men was that at Bakka (another name for Mecca), full of blessing and of guidance for all kinds of beings.”
(Qur'an 3:96, Yusuf Ali Translation)
Surah Quraysh 106:3-4 affirms:

“So let them worship the Lord of this House, Who provides them with food against hunger, and with security against fear.”
(Qur'an 106:3-4, Yusuf Ali Translation)

From these passages, it is evident that Allah, the deity worshipped by Muslims, chose Mecca as his holy city and the site of his sacred house, the Ka’ba. The Prophet Muhammad was also commanded to worship the Lord of this city (Qur'an 27:91). This forms a central pillar of Islamic belief and practice.

The City Chosen by Jehovah

In contrast, the Bible clearly identifies Jerusalem as the city chosen by Jehovah (YHWH), the God of Israel. This is confirmed in multiple passages:

2 Chronicles 6:4-6:

“And he said: Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who with his hands has fulfilled what he promised with his mouth to my father David, saying: Since the day that I brought my people out of the land of Egypt, I have chosen no city in all the tribes of Israel to build a house in, that my name might be there; neither chose I any man to be a ruler over my people Israel; but I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there, and have chosen David to be over my people Israel.”
(2 Chronicles 6:4-6, KJV)

Other Biblical references affirm this divine choice:

2 Chronicles 12:13
Ezra 6:12
Ezra 7:15, 27
Psalm 26:8
Zechariah 2:12

The Hebrew name Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) means “foundation of peace.” Even during their exile, the Israelites would kneel and pray facing Jerusalem, as recorded in Daniel 6:10:

“Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.”
(Daniel 6:10, KJV)

Theological Implication

Through these texts, it is evident that the city chosen by Jehovah is Jerusalem, while the city chosen by Allah is Mecca. This is a significant distinction between the two faiths. While both religions recognize sacred spaces, their choice of cities reflects divergent theological narratives and historical identities. In the Biblical tradition, Jerusalem stands as the eternal city of God (Psalm 132:13-14), whereas in Islam, Mecca holds this esteemed position.

This distinction also serves as an indicator that the deity of the Qur'an is not the same as the God of the Bible. The different sacred cities and theological frameworks suggest that Allah is not Jehovah but represents a distinct religious construct introduced through Islamic revelation.

Conclusion

In summary:

The Qur'an designates Mecca as the holy city of Allah, the location of the Ka'ba, and the birthplace of Islam's central religious rites.
The Bible identifies Jerusalem as the city of Jehovah, where His name dwells and where the Temple was established for His worship.

Therefore, from a scriptural and theological standpoint, it is clear that Allah of the Qur'an is not the God of the Bible.

References

Holy Bible, King James Version.
The Qur'an, translated by Abdullah Yusuf Ali.
2 Chronicles 6:4-6; 12:13
Ezra 6:12; 7:15, 27
Psalm 26:8; 132:13-14
Daniel 6:10
Zechariah 2:12
Qur'an 27:91 (Surah An-Naml)
Qur'an 3:96 (Surah Aal-Imran)
Qur'an 106:3-4 (Surah Quraysh)

Bibliography

Ali, Abdullah Yusuf. The Holy Qur'an: Text, Translation, and Commentary. Tahrike Tarsile Qur'an, 2001.
Barker, Kenneth L. The NIV Study Bible. Zondervan, 2011.
Bruce, F. F. Israel and the Nations: The History of Israel from the Exodus to the Fall of the Second Temple. InterVarsity Press, 1963.
Smith, William. Smith's Bible Dictionary. Hendrickson Publishers, 1999.
Shimba, Maxwell. Comparative Theology: The Biblical God vs. the Quranic Allah. Shimba Theological Institute, 2025.