Centrality of Masjid Al Aqsa in Isl�m
Masjid Al Aqsa
To Muslims, Jerusalem houses one of the holiest Mosques, the Masjid alAqsa, and represents a place of religious significance. This needs tobe appreciated by the West before a sincere bridge of mutual friendshipis built.
Muslim's call to rule over Jerusalem is not driven by colonist,nationalist or material motives. The love of every grain in the HolyCity is sacred to Muslims. As Muslims respect all the Prophets reveredby Judaism and Christianity, their venerated places are also central tothe ethos of Islam.
Therefore it is only by entrusting the custody of the Holy City tothe Muslims can the present Judaisation of Jerusalem come to a halt andopen the city to all the three faiths.
To quote a few Qur'anic verses and sayings of Prophet MuhammadSallallahu alayhi wasallam with regard to Jerusalem will indicate theimportance Masjid al Aqsa and therefore Jerusalem has assumed upon theMuslims hearts.
1. Mir�j
The miraculous journey of the Holy Prophet Muhammad Sallallahualayhi wasallam from Makkah to Masjid al Aqsa [al Isr�] and, hisascension through the heavens [Mir�j] has linked Jerusalem to theMuslims hearts and minds. The Holy Qur'�n states:
"Glory to All�h who did take His Servant for a journey by nightfrom the Sacred Mosque (in Makkah) to the Al-Aqsa (in Jerusalem) whoseprecincts We did bless." (al-Isr� 17:1)
Lord Almighty had in His power to have taken Prophet MuhammadSallallahu alayhi wasallam Makkah straight up to the heavens. However,to impress the importance of Jerusalem upon Muslims, Prophet MuhammadSallallahu alayhi wasallam was first taken to Masjid al Aqsa inJerusalem.
When in Masjid al Aqsa the Prophet Sallallahu alayhi vasallam ledSal�h and was followed by all the previous Prophets Alayhimus sal�m.Hence the whole of Masjid al Aqsa precincts are unique in that this isthe only place on earth where all the Prophets Alayhimus sal�mperformed Sal�h in congregation.
2. The Prophet Ibrahim Alayhis sal�m central to all the threefaiths migrated to the land of Can�n around 180S BC. The Quran states:
We said, O Fire! Be thou cool and safety for Ibrahim. Then theyplanned against him, but We made them the greater losers. But Wedelivered him and (his nephew) Lot (and directed them to the land whichWe have blessed for the nations. (Al-Anbiy� 21: 69-71)
3. The sacredness of Jerusalem is emphasised on numerous places inthe Holy Quran. The Apostles of Allah. Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhiwasallam) and also, Prophet M�sa (Moses) Alayhis sal�m alluded to it.The Holy Qur'an reports Prophet M�sa Alayhis sal�m telling his people:
"O my people! Enter the holy land..." (Al-Maida 5-21)
Further the Holy Qur'an states:
"(It was Our power that made) the violent (unruly) wind flow(tamely) for Sulaiman. To his order, to the land which we hadblessed..." (Al-Anbiyya 21: 81)
4. Masjid al Aqsa and therefore Jerusalem's importance was furtheremphasised by the sayings of Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu alayhiwasallam:
a) According to Islamic teachings there are only three places towhich it is desirable to undertake a journey for the purpose or Sal�h.
Abu Hurairah Radiallahu anhu is quoted as saying that Allah'sMessenger Sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, 'set out deliberately on ajourney only to three mosques: this mosque of mine (in Madina), theSacred Mosque (in Makkah) and the Masjid al Aqsa (in Jerusalem).(Bukhari & Muslim)
b) The virtues of praying in Masjid al Aqsa are exalted:
Abu Darda is quoted as saying the Prophet of All�h Sallallahualayhi wasallam said a prayer in the Sacred mosque (in Makkah) is worth100,000 prayers, a prayer in my mosque (in Madina) is worth 1,000 and aprayer in Jerusalem is worth 500 prayers more than in any other Mosque.(Bukhari)
As part of another tradition, on the authority of Maimunah bintSa'd Radhiallahu anha, it is reported that upon being asked about aperson who is unable to travel to the Masjid al Alaqsa, the Messengerof All�h Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said, 'He should make a gift ofoil to be burnt therein, for He who gives a gift to the Masjid al Aqsawill be like one who has prayed Sal�h therein.' (Ahmad & Ibn Majah)
c) The Masiid al Aqsa is the Second House of Prayer Established on Earth:
Ab� Dhar Radiallahu anhu is quoted as saying, I asked the belovedProphet Muhammad Sallallahu alayhi wasallam which was the first mosqueon earth? "The Sacred Mosque (in Makkah)," he said. and then which, Iasked? "Masjid al Aqsa," I further asked, what was the time spanbetween the two? 'Forty years,' the Prophet Sallallahu alayhi wasallamreplied. (Ahmad)
d) Abu Umamah al Bahili reports that the Prophet of All�h Sallallahu alayhi wasallam said:
"A group of my Ummah will remain firm upon the truth, dominatingtheir enemies. They will not be harmed by their opponents until Allah'sdecree arrives upon them. They asked, 'Oh Prophet of Allah! Where willthey be?' He replied, 'in Bait al Maqdis and its surrounding areas.'"(Ahmad)
5. The Masjid al Aqsa was the first Qibla [the direction to which Muslims faced when praying Sal�h]:
The centrality, historical and cultural significance of Masjid alAqsa is further emphasised by the fact that Muslims used to turntowards Jerusalem when they prayed. This was practised for 16 to 17months after Hijra, when All�h commanded in His wisdom, for the Muslimsto face Makkah. The importance of Masjid al Aqsa remained and all theprayers performed facing Masjid al Aqsa was regarded as valid.
6. The Resting Place of Prophets Alayhimu sal�m and Prophet's Companions radiallahu anhum
The land of Palestine has in it some of the noblest souls the earthhas seen. The graves of many Prophet's are in Palestine. IncludingIbrahim Alayhis sal�m, Yakub Alayhis sal�m, Is'haq Alayhis sal�m andaccording to some commentators there are over 100 Prophets buried inPalestine.
Palestine also has the bodies of some of the closest companions ofthe Prophet Sallallahu alayhi wasallam. Included in these are thegraves of Ubada ibn al Samit, Shaddad ibn Aws, Thabit al Ansari andTamim al Dari.
7. Merits of Performing Haj or Umrah from Masjid al Aqsa:
Umm Salamah Radiallahu anha narrates that she heard the ProphetSallallahu alayhi wasallam saying, 'whosoever starts his Umrah or Hajfrom Masjid al Aqsa his wrong actions will be forgiven, both past andfuture.' In another version, he is reported to have said that Paradisewould be his reward. (Targheeb)
8. Freedom of the Holy City
After the battle of Yarmuk, the Muslim forces under the command ofAbu Ubaydah Radiallahu anhu laid siege to Jerusalem. The inhabitantsconsented to surrender on condition the Khalifa, Umar ibn al KhattabRadiallahu anhu came in person. Umar Radiallahu anhu travelled toPalestine and formally received the keys to the city in 637 CE. On hisarrival, he concluded the famous peace treaty with the people of theHoly City. This opened the doors to the Jews, who were denied accessfor thousands of years and for the first time Jerusalem under Muslimrule became truly an OPEN CITY to all the three faiths. ThroughoutMuslim rule of over twelve hundred years of Jerusalem, members ofJewish, Christianity and Islam found a haven to prosper from. Muslimrule enabled the city to live up to its rightful title of 'The HolyCity' as it encompassed all the believers in All�h (God) to go abouttheir business without hindrance.
Masjid Al Aqsa
To Muslims, Jerusalem houses one of the holiest Mosques, the Masjid alAqsa, and represents a place of religious significance. This needs tobe appreciated by the West before a sincere bridge of mutual friendshipis built.
Muslim's call to rule over Jerusalem is not driven by colonist,nationalist or material motives. The love of every grain in the HolyCity is sacred to Muslims. As Muslims respect all the Prophets reveredby Judaism and Christianity, their venerated places are also central tothe ethos of Islam.
Therefore it is only by entrusting the custody of the Holy City tothe Muslims can the present Judaisation of Jerusalem come to a halt andopen the city to all the three faiths.
To quote a few Qur'anic verses and sayings of Prophet MuhammadSallallahu alayhi wasallam with regard to Jerusalem will indicate theimportance Masjid al Aqsa and therefore Jerusalem has assumed upon theMuslims hearts.
1. Mir�j
The miraculous journey of the Holy Prophet Muhammad Sallallahualayhi wasallam from Makkah to Masjid al Aqsa [al Isr�] and, hisascension through the heavens [Mir�j] has linked Jerusalem to theMuslims hearts and minds. The Holy Qur'�n states:
"Glory to All�h who did take His Servant for a journey by nightfrom the Sacred Mosque (in Makkah) to the Al-Aqsa (in Jerusalem) whoseprecincts We did bless." (al-Isr� 17:1)
Lord Almighty had in His power to have taken Prophet MuhammadSallallahu alayhi wasallam Makkah straight up to the heavens. However,to impress the importance of Jerusalem upon Muslims, Prophet MuhammadSallallahu alayhi wasallam was first taken to Masjid al Aqsa inJerusalem.
When in Masjid al Aqsa the Prophet Sallallahu alayhi vasallam ledSal�h and was followed by all the previous Prophets Alayhimus sal�m.Hence the whole of Masjid al Aqsa precincts are unique in that this isthe only place on earth where all the Prophets Alayhimus sal�mperformed Sal�h in congregation.
2. The Prophet Ibrahim Alayhis sal�m central to all the threefaiths migrated to the land of Can�n around 180S BC. The Quran states:
We said, O Fire! Be thou cool and safety for Ibrahim. Then theyplanned against him, but We made them the greater losers. But Wedelivered him and (his nephew) Lot (and directed them to the land whichWe have blessed for the nations. (Al-Anbiy� 21: 69-71)
3. The sacredness of Jerusalem is emphasised on numerous places inthe Holy Quran. The Apostles of Allah. Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhiwasallam) and also, Prophet M�sa (Moses) Alayhis sal�m alluded to it.The Holy Qur'an reports Prophet M�sa Alayhis sal�m telling his people:
"O my people! Enter the holy land..." (Al-Maida 5-21)
Further the Holy Qur'an states:
"(It was Our power that made) the violent (unruly) wind flow(tamely) for Sulaiman. To his order, to the land which we hadblessed..." (Al-Anbiyya 21: 81)
4. Masjid al Aqsa and therefore Jerusalem's importance was furtheremphasised by the sayings of Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu alayhiwasallam:
a) According to Islamic teachings there are only three places towhich it is desirable to undertake a journey for the purpose or Sal�h.
Abu Hurairah Radiallahu anhu is quoted as saying that Allah'sMessenger Sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, 'set out deliberately on ajourney only to three mosques: this mosque of mine (in Madina), theSacred Mosque (in Makkah) and the Masjid al Aqsa (in Jerusalem).(Bukhari & Muslim)
b) The virtues of praying in Masjid al Aqsa are exalted:
Abu Darda is quoted as saying the Prophet of All�h Sallallahualayhi wasallam said a prayer in the Sacred mosque (in Makkah) is worth100,000 prayers, a prayer in my mosque (in Madina) is worth 1,000 and aprayer in Jerusalem is worth 500 prayers more than in any other Mosque.(Bukhari)
As part of another tradition, on the authority of Maimunah bintSa'd Radhiallahu anha, it is reported that upon being asked about aperson who is unable to travel to the Masjid al Alaqsa, the Messengerof All�h Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said, 'He should make a gift ofoil to be burnt therein, for He who gives a gift to the Masjid al Aqsawill be like one who has prayed Sal�h therein.' (Ahmad & Ibn Majah)
c) The Masiid al Aqsa is the Second House of Prayer Established on Earth:
Ab� Dhar Radiallahu anhu is quoted as saying, I asked the belovedProphet Muhammad Sallallahu alayhi wasallam which was the first mosqueon earth? "The Sacred Mosque (in Makkah)," he said. and then which, Iasked? "Masjid al Aqsa," I further asked, what was the time spanbetween the two? 'Forty years,' the Prophet Sallallahu alayhi wasallamreplied. (Ahmad)
d) Abu Umamah al Bahili reports that the Prophet of All�h Sallallahu alayhi wasallam said:
"A group of my Ummah will remain firm upon the truth, dominatingtheir enemies. They will not be harmed by their opponents until Allah'sdecree arrives upon them. They asked, 'Oh Prophet of Allah! Where willthey be?' He replied, 'in Bait al Maqdis and its surrounding areas.'"(Ahmad)
5. The Masjid al Aqsa was the first Qibla [the direction to which Muslims faced when praying Sal�h]:
The centrality, historical and cultural significance of Masjid alAqsa is further emphasised by the fact that Muslims used to turntowards Jerusalem when they prayed. This was practised for 16 to 17months after Hijra, when All�h commanded in His wisdom, for the Muslimsto face Makkah. The importance of Masjid al Aqsa remained and all theprayers performed facing Masjid al Aqsa was regarded as valid.
6. The Resting Place of Prophets Alayhimu sal�m and Prophet's Companions radiallahu anhum
The land of Palestine has in it some of the noblest souls the earthhas seen. The graves of many Prophet's are in Palestine. IncludingIbrahim Alayhis sal�m, Yakub Alayhis sal�m, Is'haq Alayhis sal�m andaccording to some commentators there are over 100 Prophets buried inPalestine.
Palestine also has the bodies of some of the closest companions ofthe Prophet Sallallahu alayhi wasallam. Included in these are thegraves of Ubada ibn al Samit, Shaddad ibn Aws, Thabit al Ansari andTamim al Dari.
7. Merits of Performing Haj or Umrah from Masjid al Aqsa:
Umm Salamah Radiallahu anha narrates that she heard the ProphetSallallahu alayhi wasallam saying, 'whosoever starts his Umrah or Hajfrom Masjid al Aqsa his wrong actions will be forgiven, both past andfuture.' In another version, he is reported to have said that Paradisewould be his reward. (Targheeb)
8. Freedom of the Holy City
After the battle of Yarmuk, the Muslim forces under the command ofAbu Ubaydah Radiallahu anhu laid siege to Jerusalem. The inhabitantsconsented to surrender on condition the Khalifa, Umar ibn al KhattabRadiallahu anhu came in person. Umar Radiallahu anhu travelled toPalestine and formally received the keys to the city in 637 CE. On hisarrival, he concluded the famous peace treaty with the people of theHoly City. This opened the doors to the Jews, who were denied accessfor thousands of years and for the first time Jerusalem under Muslimrule became truly an OPEN CITY to all the three faiths. ThroughoutMuslim rule of over twelve hundred years of Jerusalem, members ofJewish, Christianity and Islam found a haven to prosper from. Muslimrule enabled the city to live up to its rightful title of 'The HolyCity' as it encompassed all the believers in All�h (God) to go abouttheir business without hindrance.
