The Distortion of Islamic Religion since Prehistoric Times: A Study of Quranic Archaeology

Abstract

Religion has been analysed using various approaches of different disciplines. Based on the evolution approach, religion has evolved from animism during prehistoric times to polytheism and monotheism in modern times. One of the modern religions is Islam as a monotheist religion which relies on Al-Qur’an as the main religious source. This paper will analyse Islam based on Al-Qur’an specifically using a study of Quranic Archaeology. Al-Qur’an is considered as an archaeological data which is comprised of names, objects, and locations. This paper is also the result of a field work conducted at several locations mentioned in Al-Qur’an. The results are analysed using comparative method on the people’s situation from time to time. Based on this study, Islam did not evolve because it has been a monotheist religion since the beginning which then experiences distortion both in the form of animism and polytheism.