In an Islamic context, Petra (located in modern-day Jordan) is primarily recognized as a historic site associated with the Nabataeans, an ancient Arab tribe mentioned in various historical and geographical accounts. While Petra itself is not a central "holy site" like Mecca or Jerusalem, it is often discussed in relation to the Quranic stories of the Thamud people. Many Islamic scholars and historians traditionally identified the rock-cut dwellings of Madain Salih (Al-Hijr) in Saudi Arabia as the homes of the Thamud who rejected the Prophet Salih, but given the similar architectural styles of the Nabataeans in Petra, the two sites are often linked in the cultural imagination as examples of ancient civilizations that were once powerful but ultimately declined. Some revisionist historians, most notably Dan Gibson, have proposed the controversial "Petra Theory," which suggests that Petra, rather than Mecca, was the original holy city of Islam. This theory is based on the orientation of the qiblas (prayer directions) of early mosques. However, this theory is overwhelmingly rejected by mainstream archaeologists and Islamic scholars, who maintain that the historical and literary evidence for Mecca as the cradle of Islam is conclusive. Today, Petra is viewed by Muslims as a site of historical wonder and archaeological significance, reflecting the long history of Arab civilization in the region.