tagtag.com/aqsa
The Holy Al-Aqsa Sanctuary in Jerusalem is revered by Muslims for numerous reasons.
It was the first Qibla to which Muslims faced in prayer, and remained so until approximately 18 months after the Prophet migrated from Makkah to Medina (13 years after prophet-hood). It was the second house of worship built on Earth, 40 years after the sacred Qa'ba. It is the third Holiest site in Islam, preceded only by the Haram Sharif in Makkah and the Haram Sharif in Medina Munawwara.
It is important for both Muslims and non-
Muslims to be aware of the virtues and signifi cance of Al-
Aqsa, so as to understand why the struggle for Palestine is so great to Muslims world-wide.
The instinct to rule over Jerusalem is not generated by a desire for colonialist, nationalist or materialist gain on the part of the Palestinians. Rather, all Muslims wish to free the city from oppressive rulers to enable all people of the 3 monotheistic faiths to freely enter the Holy City. Muslims respect all the Prophets revered by Judaism and Christianity, and therefore their venerated places are also central to Islam. Historically, it has only ever been under Muslim rule that the Holy City was made free for followers of all faiths to enter and worship within.
The Crusaders killed all the Jewish inhabitants of the city and many of the Muslim ones too. The Israeli's have threatened the holy sites of both Christians and Muslims within the city, restricting access at signifi cant religious occasions.
*T h e N i g h t J o u r n e y
To cement the sanctity of Al-Aqsa, Muslims recall one of the most miraculous journeys of all time, where the Prophet was taken to Jerusalem , and Al-Aqsa in particular, where he led all the prophets of God in prayer at the sacred Sanctuary. This was followed by his ascension through the heavens.
The Holy Qur'an 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]
The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) could have been taken up to heaven from any place on earth, however, to impress the importance of Jerusalem upon Muslims, he was taken first to Al-
Aqsa. The Al-Aqsa precincts became unique after this event, as it is the only place on earth where all the prophets of God performed prayer in congregation, led by the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).
*T h e S a c r e d C i t y
The sacredness of Jerusalem is emphasised on numerous places in the Holy Qur'an. Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and Prophet Musa (Moses) (Alahis Salam) alluded to it. The Holy Qur'an reports Prophet Musa 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 Suleiman. To his order, to the land which we had blessed..." [Al-
Anbiyya 21: 81]
*P r o p h e t I b r a h i m ( A b r a h a m ) ( A.S.)
Prophet Ibrahim (AS) is the father of Islam, Christianity and Judaism. According to Islamic tradition, he migrated to the land of Canaanite around 1805 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]
This verse makes it clear that the land of Al-Aqsa is sacred for all people, and this was also stated in the other scriptures.
*V i r t u e s o f A l - A q s a
The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) mentioned the virtues of Al-Aqsa in numerous hadith (sayings), including the following:
1. Abu Dhar (Radiallahu anhu) is quoted as saying, I asked the beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) which was the first Masjid on earth? "The Sacred Masjid (in Makkah)," he said. And then which, I asked? "Masjid al-Aqsa." I further asked, what was the time span between the construction of the two? "Forty years," the Prophet (Peace be upon him) replied. [Bukhari]
2. Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu) relates that the Prophet (PBUH) said. "You should not undertake a special journey to visit any place other than the following three Masajid (Mosque) with the expectations of getting greater reward: the Sacred Masjid of Makkah, this Masjid of mine, and the Masjid Al-
Aqsa (of Jerusalem )".
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Muslim & Abu Dawud]
3. Abu Darda is quoted as saying the Prophet of Allah (PBUH) said "a prayer in the Sacred Masjid (in Makkah) is worth 100,000 prayers, a prayer in my Masjid (in Medina) is worth 1,
000 and a prayer in Jerusalem is worth 500 prayers more than in any other Masjid". [Sahih al-Bukhari]
4. Maimunah bint Sa'd (Radhiallahu anha) reported that upon being asked about a person who is unable to travel to the Masjid al-Aqsa, the messenger of Allah (PBUH) 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]
5. Abu Umamah al Bahili (radiallahu anhu) reports that the Prophet of Allah (PBUH) said: "A group of my Ummah (people) 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]
6. Umm Salamah (Radiallahu anha) narrates that she heard the Prophet (PBUH) 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]
The significance of Al-Aqsa and Jerusalem are further re-enforced by the fact that many prophets and companions of prophets, spanning many ages, have been buried there. These include Ibrahim (as), Yakub (Jacob), Is'haq (Isaac) and up to 100 others.