It is related in a Saheeh Hadeeth that Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: "Whoever conveys forty Ahadeeth to my ummah, I will make a special intercession for him on the day of Qiyamat." (Jaami as-Sagheer)
Here, "conveying" is general - it could be done through teaching, through writing, or by delivering lectures. In other words, convey it in any way as long as it is conveyed to the people. It is for this reason that the ulama have written many compilations of "Forty Ahadeeth".
Hadrat Ibn Mas'ood (radiallaahu 'anh) reported that the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said: "Allaah brightens a man who hears what I say, gets it memorized, retains it and passes it on to others." (Tirmidhi)
"Exalted is He who took His Servant by night from al-Masjid al-Haram to al-Masjid al- Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him of Our signs. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing."(17:1)
Of all the symbols of Islaam, the most neglected in our time is Masjid al-Aqsa, in Jerusalem. For various reasons, ranging from political compromise to appeasement, the Ummah has ignored not only the virtues but also the plight of this Holy Site.
It is with the intention to rekindle the love, affection and devotion of Muslims to Masjid al-Aqsa that I have compiled these forty ahaadeeth. Since the Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) showed such great concern for it and inculcated into the Sahaabah (radiallaahu 'anhum) the need to liberate Masjid al-Aqsa and Jerusalem I hope we can adorn the teachings of our Noble Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) and take the urgent practical steps required to safeguard Masjid al-Aqsa.
Masjid al-Aqsa is no ordinary Masjid; it forms the basis of our history and is the cornerstone of mankind's foundation. The Noble Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) dedicated a great deal of his life nurturing the Sahaabah (radiallaahu 'anhum) to appreciate the excellent qualities of Masjid al-Aqsa and prepared them to embark on an expedition to liberate Jerusalem which at the time was in the hands of the mighty Roman empire.
Some of the reasons why Masjid al-Aqsa should form an important aspect of a believer's dedication, and the reason why many pious individuals have given their wealth and lives, include the fact that Masjid al-Aqsa is:
a. the first Qiblah for Muslims
b. the station of al-Isra wal Mi'raj
c. the second house of Allaah built on earth
d. the place where hundreds of Messengers of Allaah (alayhimus salaam) are buried
e. the place where many Sahaabah (radiallaahu 'anhum) are buried
f. a place where miracles were shown by Allaah's Will
g. a place which Allaah 'azza wa jal Himself calls "a blessed place"
h. referred to directly and indirectly, seventy times in the Holy Qur'an
i. the place where angels have descended with Allaah's message
j. the only place on earth where all the Messengers of Allaah (alayhimus salaam) prayed at the same time led by the Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam)
k. the only Masjid mentioned by name in the Holy Qur'an, apart from the Ka'bah
It is for the above reasons and many more that we need to understand our responsibilities regarding safeguarding the Masjid al-Aqsa which is in great danger of being demolished by Israeli extremists.
The revival of this aspect of Sunnah is urgently needed and I pray that Almight Allaah gives me and all my friends and colleagues the courage to direct our effort and energy to ensure that the historical legacy of Masjid al-Aqsa which we have inherited from the efforts and sacrifices of our predecessors is passed on to the next generation.
I pray that we can all reflect on the following verses of the Holy Qur'an for our guidance - Aameen!
"Verily never will Allaah change the condition of a people until they change themselves." (13:11)
"Because Allaah will never change the grace which He had bestowed on a people until they change what is in their (own) souls and verily Allaah is He Who hears and knows all things." (8:35)
"The believers are only those who believe in Allaah and His Messenger and have never doubted and who strive with their belongings and their persons in the Cause of Allaah: such are sincere." (49:15)
Ismail Adam Patel, Leicester, England, December 2007
Hadeeth #1 - Masjid al-Aqsa: The Second House Of Allaah (سبحانه وتعالى) On Earth
Hadrat Abu Dharr (رضي الله عنه) reported that he asked the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم), which Masjid was built first on earth? The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) replied, 'The Sacred Masjid of Makkah." Abu Dharr (رضي الله عنه) again asked, 'Which was next?' The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, 'The Masjid al-Aqsa.' Abu Dharr (رضي الله عنه) further asked 'How long was the period between the building of the two Masajid?' The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, 'Forty years. Apart from these, offer your prayers anywhere when it is time to pray, although excellence is in praying in these Masajid.' (Saheeh al-Bukhari)
This cannot be undone and I am sure it will be greatly appreciated.
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