The Centrality of Masjid al-Aqsa in Islam

To Muslims, Jerusalem houses one of the holiest Mosques, the Masjid al Aqsa, and represents a place of religious significance. This needs to be appreciated by the West before a sincere bridge of mutual friendship is built.

Muslim's call to rule over Jerusalem is not driven by colonist, nationalist or material motives. The love of every grain in the Holy City is sacred to Muslims. As Muslims respect all the Prophets revered by Judaism and Christianity, their venerated places are also central to the ethos of Islam.

Therefore it is only by entrusting the custody of the Holy City to the Muslims can the present Judaisation of Jerusalem come to a halt and open the city to all the three faiths.

To quote a few Qur'anic verses and sayings of Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) with regard to Jerusalem will indicate the importance Masjid al Aqsa and therefore Jerusalem has assumed upon the Muslims hearts.



1. Miraj

The miraculous journey of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) from Makkah to Masjid al Aqsa [al Isra] and, his ascension through the heavens [Miraj] has linked Jerusalem to the Muslims hearts and minds. The Holy Qur'ān states:

"Glory to Allah who did take His Servant for a journey by night from the Sacred Mosque (in Makkah) to the Al-Aqsa (in Jerusalem) whose precincts We did bless."
[al-Isra 17:1]

Lord Almighty had in His power to have taken Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) Makkah straight up to the heavens. However, to impress the importance of Jerusalem upon Muslims, Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) was first taken to Masjid al Aqsa in Jerusalem.

When in Masjid al Aqsa the Prophet (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) led Salah and was followed by all the previous Prophets alayhimus salam. Hence the whole of Masjid al Aqsa precincts are unique in that this is the only place on earth where all the Prophets alayhimus salam performed Salah in congregation.




2. The Prophet Ibrahim (alayhis salam) central to all the three faiths migrated to the land of Canān around 180S BC.

The Qur'an states:

We said, O Fire! Be thou cool and safety for Ibrahim. Then they planned against him, but We made them the greater losers. But We delivered him and (his nephew) Lot (and directed them to the land which We have blessed for the nations.
[Al-Anbiya 21: 69-71]




3. The sacredness of Jerusalem is emphasised on numerous places in the Holy Qur'an.

The Apostles of Allah. Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) and also, Prophet Musa (Moses) (alayhis salam) alluded to it. The Holy Qur'an reports Prophet Musa (alayhis salam) 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 had blessed..."
[Al-Anbiyya 21: 81]




4. Masjid al Aqsa and therefore Jerusalem's importance was further emphasised by the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wasallam):

   a) According to Islamic teachings there are only three places to which it is desirable to undertake a journey for the purpose or Salāh.

Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu) is quoted as saying that Allah's Messenger Sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, 'set out deliberately on a journey only to three mosques: this mosque of mine (in Madina), the Sacred Mosque (in Makkah) and the Masjid al Aqsa (in Jerusalem).
[Sahih al-Bukhari & Muslim]

   b) The virtues of praying in Masjid al Aqsa are exalted:

Abu Darda is quoted as saying the Prophet of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said a prayer in the Sacred mosque (in Makkah) is worth 100,000 prayers, a prayer in my mosque (in Madina) is worth 1,000 and a prayer in Jerusalemis worth 500 prayers more than in any other Mosque. [Sahih al-Bukhari]

As part of another tradition, on the authority of Maimunah bint Sa'd Radhiallahu anha, it is reported that upon being asked about a person who is unable to travel to the Masjid al Alaqsa, the Messenger of Allah Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said, 'He should make a gift of oil to be burnt therein, for He who gives a gift to the Masjid al Aqsa will be like one who has prayed Salah therein.'
[Ahmad & Ibn Majah]

   c) The Masiid al Aqsa is the Second House of Prayer Established on Earth:
Abu Dhar Radiallahu anhu is quoted as saying, I asked the beloved Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu alayhi wasallam which was the first mosque on earth? "The Sacred Mosque (in Makkah)," he said. and then which, I asked? "Masjid al Aqsa," I further asked, what was the time span between the two? 'Forty years,' the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) replied.
[Ahmad]

   d) Abu Umamah al Bahili reports that the Prophet of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said:

"A group of my Ummah will remain firm upon the truth, dominating their enemies. They will not be harmed by their opponents until Allah's decree arrives upon them. They asked, 'Oh Prophet of Allah! Where will they 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 Salāh]:

The centrality, historical and cultural significance of Masjid al Aqsa is further emphasised by the fact that Muslims used to turn towards Jerusalem when they prayed. This was practised for 16 to 17 months after Hijra, when Allah commanded in His wisdom, for the Muslims to face Makkah. The importance of Masjid al Aqsa remained and all the prayers performed facing Masjid al Aqsa was regarded as valid.




6. The Resting Place of Prophets Alayhimu salam and Prophet's Companions radiallahu anhum

The land of Palestine has in it some of the noblest souls the earth has seen. The graves of many Prophet's are in Palestine. Including Ibrahim (alayhis salam), Yakub (alayhis salam), Is'haq (alayhis salam) and according to some commentators there are over 100 Prophets buried in Palestine.

Palestine also has the bodies of some of the closest companions of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). Included in these are the graves of Ubada ibn al Samit, Shaddad ibn Aws, Thabit al Ansari and Tamim al Dari.




7. Merits of Performing Hajj or Umrah from Masjid al Aqsa:

Umm Salamah Radiallahu anha narrates that she heard the Prophet Sallallahu alayhi wasallam saying, 'whosoever starts his Umrah or Hajj from Masjid al Aqsa his wrong actions will be forgiven, both past and future.' In another version, he is reported to have said that Paradise would be his reward.
[Targheeb]




8. Freedom of the Holy City

After the battle of Yarmuk, the Muslim forces under the command of Abu Ubaydah Radiallahu anhu laid siege to Jerusalem. The inhabitants consented to surrender on condition the Khalifa, Umar ibn al Khattab Radiallahu anhu came in person.
Umar (radiallahu anhu) travelled to Palestine and formally received the keys to the city in 637 CE. On his arrival, he concluded the famous peace treaty with the people of the Holy City. This opened the doors to the Jews, who were denied access for thousands of years and for the first time Jerusalem under Muslim rule became truly an OPEN CITY to all the three faiths.
Throughout Muslim rule of over twelve hundred years of Jerusalem, members of Jewish, Christianity and Islam found a haven to prosper from. Muslim rule enabled the city to live up to its rightful title of 'The Holy City' as it encompassed all the believers in Allah (God) to go about their business without hindrance.