Importance of Al Muqaddas, Al Aqsa and Jerusalem bait for Muslims
What is Jerusalem?
Jerusalem is known as the Holy Land which is located between the Jordan and the Mediterranean Sea. It is located in Palestine, but Israel also controls some of its areas because they want to make Bait Al Muqaddas and Jerusalem their capital. On November 29, 1947, the General Assembly, in the exercise of its authority, accepted Jerusalem as part of Palestine or Arabs under the mandate of the League of Nations. As a result of the 1948 war, this plan was never implemented and Israel controlled many areas of Jerusalem that were Arab-based and later they also took control of the eastern parts of Jerusalem. The holy city is of paramount importance to the Palestinian people and the Arab and Islamic world. Since 1967, many calls have been made to the international community for the protection of the holy places; Nevertheless, Israelis continue to pursue illegal actions and explosions in Jerusalem, threatening the divinity, integrity, and foundations of many religious sites.
Jerusalem and Islam
Jerusalem is the holiest city for Muslims that comes in the third number after Mecca and Medina. This is of great importance to Muslims because it was the first Qibla to which Prophet Muhammad (SAW) offered a prayer for many years before the migration from Mecca to Medina. After 16 months of migration to Medina, Muhammad (SAW) was asked to change the Qibla from Jerusalem to Mecca. Allah Almighty said in the Quran:
“The fools of the people will say,” What turned them away from their Qiblah, which they faced? Say: “To Allah belongs the East and the West. He guides who He wants to a right path. “And so we made you a righteous community that you will be witnesses of the people and the Messenger will be a witness to you, and We did not do the Qiblah you were facing except that We could bring out who would follow the Messenger. who would come back on his heels, and indeed it is difficult except for those whom Allah has guided, and Allah will never have made you lose your faith because Allah is good and merciful to the people. We have certainly seen the face turned to the sky, and we will surely transform you into Qibla with which you will be happy.Then turn your face toward al-Masjid al-Haram.And wherever you [the believers] are, turn your faces towards, In fact, those who have received the Scriptures know that it is the truth of their Lord, and Allah does not ignore what they do. “(Quran, 2: 142-144)
Jerusalem is one of the three holiest places on earth for Muslims. As our beloved Prophet (SAW) said: “There are only three mosques in which you should embark on a journey: The Holy Mosque (Mecca, Saudi Arabia), this Mosque (Medina, Saudi Arabia) and the Al-Aqsa Mosque (Jerusalem). “(Bukhari and Muslim)
Importance of Jerusalem for Muslims
Jerusalem derives its religious eminence from being the first Qibla, the initial direction towards which Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and the early Muslim community turned their faces while offering prayer. The direction was changed a year and a half later to Mecca by “Divine Command”. It is also important because of its association with the miraculous journey of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in the city and its ascent to Heaven. This event is mentioned in the Quran: “Glory to Him, who took His night servant from the Holy Mosque to the Mosque More (Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa), the compound of which We blessed, that we could him to show some of our signs. “(Quran, 17: 1)
Masjid Al Aqsa is located in Jerusalem and is unique in that it is the only place on earth where we believe that all the prophets of Allah performed the Salah in the meeting led by Prophet Muhammad (SAW). In Bait Al Muqaddas there is an Al Aqsa Mosque offering a prayer equivalent to 250 prayers elsewhere. It is the homeland of the Prophets, which is why this place is called the Holy Land. Muslims believe that Jerusalem should be the part of Palestine where Muslim Arabs lived so that Muslims could continue their religious activities and could also respect other holy sites related to Muslims. The city of Jerusalem will always be a source and symbol for Muslims.
May Allah help and protect Muslims against all kinds of difficulties they are facing these days. Allah Almighty gives us the strength to help the Muslim brothers for the safety of this holy land of Muslims.
