Masjid al aqsa, significance, history and future

This slide program describes in the light of Quran, Hadith and Islamic history the significance of Masjid Aqsa in Islam. What are the impediments to worshipers by the occupying forces at present? How the right of all Muslim worshipers must be restored and sanctity of the Masjid be maintained?

1. Significance in Islam, History, Future

2. Recognize Masjid Al Aqsa

3. Masjid Al Aqsa

4. Masjid Al Sakhrah (Dome of the Rock)

5. Significance of Masjid Al Aqsa The Masjid-al-Aqsa represents a place of greatest religious significance. The love of every grain in the Holy City is sacred to Muslims. Muslims respect all the Prophets revered by Judaism and Christianity and their venerated places are also central to the ethos of Islam . Quoting a few Quranic verses and sayings of Prophet Muhammad ( SAW) with regard to Jerusalem will indicate the importance Masjid al Aqsa and therefore Jerusalem.

6. Surah Isra, 17:1

7. 1-Isra and Miraj Prophet Mohammad’s(SAW ) Miraculous journey

8. Miraculous Journey The miraculous journey of the holy Prophet Muhammad(SAW) from Makkah to Masjid al Aqsa (al Isra) and his ascension through the heavens (al Ma’araj ) has linked Jerusalem to the Muslims hearts and minds. The Holy Quran 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)

9. Prophet Muhammad’s travel to the heavens The Lord Almighty had it in His power to have taken Prophet Muhammad from Makkah straight up to the heavens. However , to impress the importance of Jerusalem upon Muslims the Prophet Muhammad ( Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam ) was first taken to Masjid al Aqsa in Jerusalem.

10. Prophet Muhammad Leading Prayers for all Prophets When the Prophet Muhammad ( Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam ) reached al Aqsa (Haram Shareef ), he led prayers in congregation that was attended by all the previous Prophets (AS). Hence Masjid al Aqsa is unique in that this is the only place on earth where all the Prophets (AS) performed Salah in congregation

11. 2-Prophet Ibrahim’s Migration to the Land of Canaanite The Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) Alayhis salaam who is central to all the three faiths, migrated to the land of Canaanite around 1805 BC. 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- Anbiyaa 21 : 69-71)

12. 3-Sacredness of Jerusalem in Islam . The sacredness of Jerusalem is emphasized in numerous places in the Holy Quran. The Apostles of Allah, Muhammad ( SAW) and also Prophet Musa ( Moses ) [ AS] alluded to it. The Holy Quran reports Prophet Musa (Moses) [ Alayhis salaam] telling his people (Children of Israel ): O my people! Enter the holy land… (Al-Maida 5: 21)

13. Further the Holy Quran 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- Anbiyaa 21: 81)

14. 4-Prophet Muhammad’s Sayings on Jerusalem (a) According to Islamic teachings there are only three places to which it is desirable to undertake a journey for the purpose of Salah. Abu Huraira [RA] is quoted as saying that Allah’s Messenger ( SAW) said: ‘Set out deliberately on a journey only to three mosques: T his mosque of mine (in Medina), T he Sacred Mosque (in Makkah) and T he Masjid al Aqsa (in Jerusalem) ( Bukhari & Muslim)

15. Hadith

16. (b) The virtues of praying in Masjid al Aqsa are exalted: Abu Darda [RA] is quoted as saying that the Prophet of Allah Muhammad ( SAW) said: A prayer in the Sacred Mosque (in Makkah) is worth 100, 000 prayers, a prayer in my mosque (in Medina) is worth 1, 000 and a prayer in Jerusalem is worth 500 prayers more than in an any other mosque. (Bukhari)

17. (c) The Masjid al Aqsa is the second house of prayer built on earth Abu Dhar [RA] is quoted as saying, I asked the beloved Prophet Muhammad ( SAW) which was the first mosque on earth? ‘ The Sacred Mosque (in Makkah),’ he said. And then which, I asked? ‘Masjid al Aqsa,’ he said. I further asked, what was the time span between the two? ‘Forty years,’ the Prophet [SAW] replied. ( Muslim) 1 ST MASJID ON EARTH 2 ND MASJID ON EARTH 40 YEARS

18. 5-Jerusalem was the First Qibla for Muslims The centrality, historical and cultural significance of Masjid al Aqsa is further emphasized by the fact that Muslims used to turn towards Jerusalem when they prayed . This was practiced until 16 to 17 months after Hijrah, when Allah commanded in His wisdom for the Muslims to face Makkah. The importance of Masjid al Aqsa remained and all the worship performed facing Masjid al Aqsa was good and valid.

19. 6-Jerusalem is the resting place for the Prophets of Islam The graves of many Prophet’s are in Palestine: Ibrahim Alayhis salaam Yakub Alayhis salaam Ishaq [ Alayhis salaam] A ccording 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 and thus the first generation of Muslims. Included in these are the graves of Ubada ibn al Samit , Shaddad ibn Aws ibn Thabit al Ansari and Tamim al Dari [RA].

20. 7-Starting Hajj or Umrah from Masjid Al-Aqsa Umm Salamah [RA] narrates that she heard the Prophet [SAW] saying, ‘whosoever starts his Umrah or Haj 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 )

21. 8-Caliph Umar’s Trip to Jerusalem After the battle of Yarmuk the Muslim forces under the command of Abu Ubaydah lay siege to Jerusalem. The inhabitants consented to surrender on condition that the Khalifa , Umar ibn al Khattab (RA) came in person. Umar [RA] traveled to Palestine and formally received the keys to the city in 637 AD

22. True open city under Muslim Rule . On his arrival, he concluded the famous peace treaty with the people of 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 one thousand two hundred years of Jerusalem, members of Jewish, Christianity and Islam prospered in Jerusalem. Muslim rule enabled the city to live up to its rightful title of ‘The Holy City’ as it encompassed all the believers in One God to go about their business without any hindrance.

23. History of Masjid Al Aqsa H istory of Al Masjid Al Aqsa is best described in three sections: 1 ) From Prophet Adam (AS) to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) 2 ) From Prophet Muhammad (SAW) to 1917 3) From 1917 to the present day.

24. 1. From Prophet Adam (AS) to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) There is a difference of opinion amongst scholars as to who exactly built Al Masjid Al Aqsa. Some scholars and historians assert the view that Al Masjid Al Aqsa was built by Prophet Adam (AS) Others believe it was built by Prophet Ibrahim (AS). It has been rebuilt, renovated and expanded many times in the history of Islam.

25. Time of Ibrahim and Ishaq (AS) It was a well known place of worship at the time of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and for his son Prophet Ishaq (AS) and grandson Prophet Yaqoob (AS). When Prophet Yaqub's son Prophet Yusuf (AS) attained a position of power in Egypt, he asked his family to join him and escape the poverty that engulfed Palestine. C are for Majid Al Aqsa was entrusted to the native Palestinians who were also followers of Prophet Ibrahim (AS)

26. Prophet Musa (AS) The Israelites voluntarily emigrated to Egypt seeking a better material life remained there for approximately four centuries They were enslaved by the Egyptians. This slavery only ended when Prophet Musa (AS) freed them from Ferron under the command of Allah. Israelites rejected the orders of Allah to return to Palestine They were thus commanded to live in and wander through the desert of Sinai for 40 years.

27. Prophet Dawood and Suleiman (AS) Israelites exile in Sinai ended when a new generation was born and raised. Prophet Dawood (AS) was amongst them and led his generation of believers to Palestine . Prophet Dawood (AS) established his kingdom in part of Palestine, and controlled Jerusalem. His son Prophet Suleiman (AS) rebuilt Masjid Al Aqsa with the help of the local indigenous population and next to it he built the ruler’s palace.

28. Invasion by Babylonians After Prophet Suleiman’s death, his two sons divided his kingdom amongst themselves with each having its own capital. These kingdoms existed for approximately two hundred years, with the last king of Jerusalem in this dynasty being dethroned in 586/587BC H e tried to resist the Babylonians (led by King Nebuchadnezzar) but failed due to a crippling siege that the Babylonians had placed on the city.

29. Destruction of Al Aqsa by Babylonians and Romans Shortly after the Babylonians took control of Jerusalem, Al Masjid Al Aqsa was destroyed The Persians overthrew the Babylonians (during which time efforts to rebuild Al Masjid Al Aqsa as a place of worship were renewed ) T hereafter ownership changed hands numerous times, and Al Masjid Al Aqsa was destroyed, rebuilt and then It was destroyed again within a century by the Romans in 70AD after a revolt in the city.

30. Site of Masjid Al Aqsa desanctified By 315-325AD, the Roman Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity, Romans and the people residing in their land (including the Jews) no longer had any regard for Masjid Al Aqsa and no longer treated it as a place of sanctity and worship, with the S ite of Masjid Al Aqsa was used as a place of waste disposal for the citizens of the city. This is how Masjid Al Aqsa remained for the next few hundred years

31. 2. From Prophet Muhammad (SAW) to 1917 U p until the 2nd year of Hijrah (623/624AD), the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) faced Al Masjid Al Aqsa as the direction for his prayers. Al Masjid Al Aqsa has such significance in Islam because it was the place to which he travelled on the night of Isra I t was the location from which he made his Miraj to the Heavens .

32. Umar Ibn Al Khattab liberates Jerusalem Umar Ibn Al Khattab, entered and mercifully liberated Jerusalem (accompanied by 40,000 sahaba) on the invitation of the Christian leader It was done without bloodshed and with the guarantee of protection for the lives, property and places of worship of others within the city who wished to remain there Umar’s personality and characteristics closely resembled and matched those of the liberator of Jerusalem foretold within scriptures, the people of the city were quick to embrace and accept his rule.

33. Umar (RA) rebuilds Al Aqsa W hen he arrived at the site of Masjid Al Aqsa in 637/638AD, he didn’t find a place of prayer but rather a plot of land that had been left barren and used as a rubbish tip by the Romans. Upon seeing this he took the responsibility to remove the waste with his own hands and to rebuild Al Masjid Al Aqsa. Both the Christians and the Jews were pleased with the arrival of Umar and the Muslims, and with their just rule.

34. Abd ’ al Malik bin Marwan builds Dome of the Rock In 691/692AD, Caliph Abd ’ al Malik bin Marwan began constructing what is nowadays known as the Dome of the Rock This is on top of the rock which some believe was the place where Prophet Muhammad (SAW) embarked on his Miraj to the Heavens . I ts main significance derives from it being within the boundaries of Masjid Al Aqsa and therefore part of Masjid Al Aqsa.

35. Crusaders occupy Jerusalem in 1099 The Muslims lost Al Masjid Al Aqsa to the Crusaders in 1099AD On arrival into Jerusalem, the Crusaders announced that they would not take any prisoners Large number of Muslims ran to Al Masjid Al Aqsa in order to seek refuge. The Crusaders later entered the blessed Masjid and massacred thousands of Muslims inside. Masjid Al Aqsa was then converted into a palace.

36. Sultan Salah U ddin Ayyubi defeats crusaders it took 88 years before the Muslims reclaimed it in 1187 under the leadership of the great leader Salah U ddin Ayyubi. His reclamation of Jerusalem and Masjid Al Aqsa was reminiscent of Umar Ibn Al Khattab liberation five centuries earlier There was a stark contrast to the actions of the Crusaders just a generation prior. Like Umar Ibn Al Khattab, Salah Uddin Ayyubi did not allow a massacre of civilians or soldiers A fter reclaiming Masjid Al Aqsa he also used his own hands to clean the blessed land, and famously sprinkled rosewater through the Masjid.

37. Eight Centuries of Peace The Muslims once again had unhindered control of Jerusalem and Al Masjid Al Aqsa for a significant period of time – approximately eight centuries Their rule was characterized by peace, justice and prosperity Masjid Al Aqsa was a great center of learning with scholars from all over the world travelling to study and teach within its blessed precincts. Throughout this entire period, the Christians and Jews were provided safety and protection, and their rights were respected as People of the Book.

38. 3. From 1917 to the present day For numerous centuries during the Ottoman caliphate, the city of Jerusalem and Masjid Al Aqsa were preserved with honor and dignity Muslims were in charge of the administration of the city according to Islamic law and the Ottoman millet system T hey provided religious freedom and security for the Jewish and Christian minorities

39. British control of Jerusalem After World War 1 the British captured Jerusalem and brought an end to eight centuries of Muslim rule. On arrival into Palestine in 1917 they found a land that was 90% populated by Arabs There were fewer than 56,000 Jews (of which only 5% were native Palestinian Jews, with the majority being those who had fled European persecution in recent decades). The British allowed the Muslims control of Al Masjid Al Haram during this period

40. Custodianship of Al Aqsa given to Jordan Five years after the British capture of Jerusalem, the first restoration works of the 20th century in Masjid Al Aqsa took place C ouple of years later in 1924 Trans-Jordan took over custodianship of Masjid Al Aqsa.

41. Britain passed on Palestine issue to UN In 1947 Britain passing on the issue of Palestine to the UN T he Jews owned less than 6% of the total land of Palestine. W hen the UN General Assembly recommended (despite this being outside of their competence according to the UN Charter) having a “Jewish state” which would comprise 54% of the Palestinian land T he native Palestinians rejected the proposal.

42. 1948 War In 1948 after a war and numerous massacres and atrocities committed by the Zionists, the Jews established “Israel” on 78% of Palestinian land They captured approximately 85% of Jerusalem. The Jordanian Arab Legion took control of the West Bank – including 11% of the eastern parts of Jerusalem which encompassed the Old City and Masjid Al Aqsa.

43. 1967 War After 1967 war , Israel illegally occupied East Jerusalem and claimed to unify Jerusalem as part of Israel. This move was. and is still, opposed and unrecognized by the international community . Following its capture of Jerusalem and the protests that followed, the Jewish authorities swiftly handed Masjid Al Aqsa back to Muslim control.

44. Attempts to establish Jewish worship at the Masjid Al Aqsa Following attempts by prominent Israeli figures to establish Jewish prayers at Al Masjid Al Aqsa and subsequent protests, a law was passed prohibiting Jewish prayer on Al Masjid Al Aqsa. The decision also meant that Jews and foreign tourists could only enter Al Masjid Al Aqsa through the Maghrebi gate. However since 1967 many Israeli authorities have passed rulings permitting Jews to offer worship on the site of Al Masjid Al Aqsa M any organizations have been lobbying Israeli officials to start the process of rebuilding a Jewish place of worship on the sacred land of Al Masjid Al Aqsa.

45. Attempt to burn Masjid Al Aqsa In 1969 a fire that was started by a Zionist extremist destroyed the mimbar that was installed by Salah U ddin Ayyubi. The mimbar was considered one of the most beautiful in the world and was constructed with over 10,000 interlocking pieces of Cedar and other wood, Ivory and Mother of Pearl affixed without a drop of glue or a single nail. Most of the damage from the fire took over 20 years to repair, due to the Israelis not allowing suitable resources into Masjid Al Aqsa.

46. First Intifada In 1987 four Palestinian men were killed queuing at a checkpoint in Gaza It sparked the first intifada. Intifada literally means “shaking off ” Intifada is used to convey the meaning of setting Palestine and Al Masjid Al Aqsa free from Israeli oppression.

47. Second Intifada In 2000, Ariel Sharon marched on Al Masjid Al Aqsa surrounded by over 1000 security guards and police. This sparked the second Palestinian intifada. Following this visit, restrictions were placed on Palestinians wishing to pray at Al Masjid Al Aqsa , Palestinian men (especially those between 18-50 years of age), faced bans from praying at certain times. These restrictions continue to this day.

48. Jordan King is official custodian In March 2013 Jordanian King Abdullah II signed an agreement with the Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas It maintained and reiterated the status quo It declared that King of Jordan is the official custodian of the holy sites in Jerusalem He has the right to exert all legal efforts to preserve them, especially Masjid Al Aqsa.

49. Events of 2013-2014 In November 2013 a draft Israeli law was proposed in the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) allowing Jews the right to pray on Al Masjid Al Aqsa. This development was the result of 40 years of intense lobbying by nationalists They wish to destroy Masjid Al Aqsa in its current form, and replace it with a Jewish place of worship. In October 2014 Israeli authorities closed Al Masjid Al Aqsa for the first time since 1967. This resulted in mass protests across Palestine and the Muslim world, and was swiftly followed by Al Masjid Al Aqsa being reopened.

50. Present situation Israel systematically denies access to Masjid Al Aqsa to most Palestinians, It has permitted excavation works to be carried out under Masjid Al Aqsa damaging the foundations of Al Masjid Al Aqsa It has permitted Jews to enter Al Masjid Al Aqsa during certain times on most days (despite this being contrary to traditional Rabbinical law for fear of disrespecting such sacred land). Israel maintains a security force on Al Masjid Al Aqsa permanently despite numerous appeals by the Supreme Muslim Council T he UN Security Council has passed more than 20 resolutions condemning Israel’s annexation of Old Jerusalem

51. C risis at Masjid Al Aqsa-2017 On July 14, 2017 three Palestinian citizens of Israel killed two Israeli policemen This came in the context of what has been termed the "Jerusalem Intifada (uprising)", which began in October 2015. Since the uprising began, some 285 Palestinians have died in alleged attacks, protests and raids. Simultaneously , 47 Israelis have been killed by Palestinians in car-ramming and knife attacks.

52. Israel restricts entry to Masjid Al Aqsa Israel restricted freedom of movement through security checks for all Palestinians Metal detectors were installed at the gates of Masjid Al Aqsa. Israel already restricts Palestinian entry to the site through its separation wall, which cuts off the West Bank from Jerusalem. Of the three million Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, only those over a certain age limit are allowed access to Jerusalem on Fridays. O thers must apply for a hard-to-obtain permit from Israeli authorities.

53. Violation of international law and human rights Under the 1947 United Nations partition plan for Palestine, Jerusalem was meant to be internationally controlled by the UN for its importance to the three monotheistic religions . But Israel claimed the holy city to be its "eternal, undivided capital" after it illegally annexed East Jerusalem in 1967 and extended its law there . Israel now took control over al-Haram al-Sharif (Masjid Al Aqsa) and restricted entry of Muslims into the site ,violating the freedom to worship .

54. Reaction to new restrictions imposed Installation of metal detectors and turnstiles at the entrance to al-Aqsa Mosque compound, enraged Palestinians who came out in large numbers to protest It was believed that the new measures were an attempt by Israel to change the status quo at the holy site . Palestinians refused to enter the compound through the detectors and resorted to praying on the streets. Israeli forces responded to their protest with assaults and beatings. After Friday prayers, three Palestinians were killed and hundreds injured, further aggravating the heightened tensions.

55. Praying in streets

56. Israel replaced metal detectors with surveillance cameras Israel decided to remove metal detectors it had placed at the entrance to the al-Aqsa Mosque These were replaced with more advanced surveillance cameras . Palestinian leaders said they will never accept the current status, unless everything that was added after July 14 was removed

57. For more info visit: www.transcendingjerusalem.com , www.foa.org.uk www.lostislamichistory.com

58. Dua

59. Dua

60. PRAY