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Status of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Islam
Translated by: Dr. Faheem Bukhatwa
11, Rabee-Athani 1431 h
26 March 2010
Slaves of Allah; the topic of my talk today with the help and will of God is the holy Al-Aqsa Mosque. This mosque is facing today a transformation to Judaism. It is facing demolition by the Jews to erect in its place the claimed Jewish Temple Mount. Digging works underneath the walls of Al-Aqsa mosque started many years ago, as the first step to knocking it down, and to evacuate the people of Al-Quds from Al-Quds and to demolish their homes and replace them with Jews. And recently we heard through the media the building of the Makharabi temple near Al-Aqsa mosque. May Allah make it the start of their demise. The Muslim world is in a state of lack of sense and lack of attention and it is in a deep sleep. We unfortunately are facing this with a total silence just like the silence of those who are in the graves. And if we speak we speak so quietly. One poet said:
And if you speak you would make the living hear,
But there is no life in those who you are calling,
If it was a fire into which you blow, it would light,
But in reality you are blowing into ashes.
The Status of Al-Aqsa in Islam.
Jews claim they have a religious and a historical right to Jerusalem. They claim that, yet at the same time the Torah and its appendices do not contain any sanctity for or towards Jerusalem. And it does not offer it any importance or attention. This is contrary with us Muslims, where Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa mosque have big status in our faith, laws and worship.
1) Al-Aqsa being our first point of focus for prayers (or Quiblah):
When prayers were made compulsory for Muslims, they prayed for four and a half years facing Al-Aqsa mosque. That is until Allah changed the Quiblah to be towards the holy mosque of Al-Kaba in Mekka. When this change was made the Jews made big fuss over it. Some said that all the previous prayers done by Muslims had gone to waste because they were not facing the right way. Allah responded to that in His book by saying: {Allah wouldn’t waste your faith, for Allah is kind and merciful with people}. In Al-Madinah there still remains a mosque that is known as “The Two Quiblas” mosque. Where Muslim did pray in that Mosque until they switched after being commanded about the change and started praying towards the new Qiblah. So, Al-Aqsa Mosque was our first Qiblah.
2) Jerusalem is in the land of Israa and Miraj or the miraculous journey and the ascent to the heavens:
Jerusalem or Al-Quds is the land of miraculous journey and the ascent to the heavens. This is clearly stated in the holy Quran in a chapter titled “Al-Esraa”. Allah says: {Praise be Him who brought His slave during the night from the Sacred mosque to the Al-Aqsa mosque which we made blessings round it, to show him some of our miracles}. Allah described the mosque in Mekkah only by calling it the “Sacred mosque”, yet Al-Aqsa mosque Allah mentioned it with the Blessings. The night journey was towards that land, and the ascending to the heavens started at that land. It means that selecting this land was intentional; or else the ascent could have started at the sacred mosque in Mekka. Allah wanted for His messenger to pass through Jerusalem and hold a prayer during which he led as an Imam all the prophets. And it was intended to be an announcement of change of the faith leadership for the entire world. Leadership of faith has been transferred from the children of Israel to the children of Ishmael, or to a new nation at a global scale. It is the best nation brought out to man kind. Not a racist nation. That event was an announcement for this change. Allah wanted this journey to establish a link between the two glorified mosques. The Sacred mosque as the point where the journey started and Al-Aqsa mosque where the journey ended so within each Muslim there will exist the sense of a connection between the two sanctified mosques. Negligence in one will lead to negligence in the other. Jerusalem is the land of the night miraculous journey and the ascending into the heavens; and it holds the wall of the Buraq and the Mosque of the Rock (Dome of the Rock mosque) which all hold memories of the journey and the ascent.
3) Jerusalem is the land of the blessings and prophet hood
In His holy book; Allah has described and associated the land of Palestine with blessings directly five different times. Some scholars claim other indirect references to Palestine are made in the Koran. In the Chapter titled At-Teen Allah makes a solemn oath with three lands: The land of figs and olives, in reference to the land of Jerusalem, which is the land where Jesus pbu was sent. The next verse “ØæÑ Óäíä” refers to the land where Allah spoke to Moses pbu. The next part of the verse saya: “and this peaceful land” in reference to the land of Mohammed’s prophet hood ppbu. This is the status of Al-Quds.
4) Al-Quds is the land of bonding and alertness and Jihad
The messenger ppbu had told us that this land will suffer invasion and aggression. Muslims must bond with it, be alert and do jihad against the enemy, and resist them so it would not be taken over. And if it is taken then to continue jihad until it is liberated. The messenger ppbu said: {Some group of my nation will remain clearly holding on to faith, and invincible to their enemies, they do not get harmed by this that infringes or aggresses against them except what befalls them of tiredness and hurt. They will continue to be like that until Allah will come with His word}. The messenger ppbu was asked where they were located. He said: {Al-Aqsa and round the Al-Aqsa}. This is the status of Al-Aqsa in the Islamic faith.
5) Al-Quds or Jerusalem is the third most glorified city in Islam.
The glorified cities in Islam are:
(i) The holy city of Mekka, which contains the sacred house of Allah “Al-Kaba”.
(ii) The enlightened city of Al-Madinah which is dignified with the mosque of the prophet ppbu, and it contains his remains and his grave.
(iii) The city of Al-Quds or Jerusalem is the third most glorified city in Islam which contains Al-Aqsa mosque.
Those are the three glorified mosques in Islam as announced by the messenger ppbu who said: {out of all mosques, travel can only be specifically and intentionally done to those three mosques: The sacred mosque (in Mekka), this mosque of mine (in Madina) and Al-Aqsa mosque}.
All mosques are equal; they have the same amount of reward; except those three mosques. All mosques would have the same reward when performing a prayer at, the exception to getting more reward is in the case of a mosque where you go to listen to a talk or Khutba, or attend a lesson, or meet a brother. But as far as a prayer is concerned all mosques are all equal except those three mosques. This means that a Muslim would not be allowed to have the intention and make arrangement to travel for the purpose of doing a prayer in a particular mosque believing that more reward is gained at that mosque, except in the case of those three mosques.
This city, the city of Al-Aqsa mosque is targeted by a great danger. Where are the Muslims? And where are the Arabs? Where are the men who would sacrifice them selves for Allah? Is it possible for this sacred city to remain under occupation while the nation of one and third billion Muslims is watching unconcerned? Where is Islam and where are the Muslims?
The Imam quoted a poem which says:
And it hurt me, and hurt every living being,
The question of eternity of where could Muslims be.
Dear brothers in faith, each and every one of us has a duty towards this sacred city and blessed Al-Aqsa mosque. This duty is conditioned by ability, and it is to boycott the Israeli goods and products and all that comes from Israel. Every Muslim should refuse to go to Israel to pray at Al-Aqsa mosque, for we would not pray at the Al-Aqsa mosque under the Israeli flag and under the Zionist banner. And we would not enter Israel and the Israeli stamp is stamped on to our passports. The Palestinians do that because of their circumstances, but it is wrong for non Palestinian Muslims to go and prayer while the Israeli flag is erected. Save that for when the Al-Aqsa mosque is liberated.
All Muslims must have a positive stand with Al-Quds and with the people of Al-Quds. Give material and moral support to Al-Aqsa and the people of Al-Quds who alone are defending the sacred sites. They alone are facing the Jewish arrogance with their bare chests. We ought to put our hands up high and pray to Allah, and ask Allah His support and help and guidance and victory against our enemies, the enemies of faith.
Notes:
Adhan - The call to prayer.
- The inhabitants of the city of Al-Medina that received and supported the messenger (PPBU) when he immigrated from Mekkah in the very early years of Islam.
Ansar (or Al-Ansar):
Assalam Alaikum - The Islamic greeting, literately means: Peace be with you. Used when approaching or leaving. When used during approaching it will be like saying: I bring no harm to you . and when said during leaving somebody it will mean: No harm will come to you after I leave.
- is a verse of the Koran. It also means a miracle or a sign from God.
Aya (or Ayah):
- is a mountain outside the city of Mecca that represents the climax of the Hajj worship. All doing Hajj must stay at this location on the same day.
Arafa (or Arafah or Arafat):
Badr - The place of the first significant battle between the Muslims and the pagans of the Quraish. It is located in Saudi Arabia.
Caliph - A Muslim ruler. See: (Khalifa)
Dajjal - Antichrist or the False Massiah.
Dawah - The proliferation of Islamic teachings through word and deed.
Deen (Din) - Religion or way of life.
- talking to Allah; praising him and asking him for help.
Duaa: a prayer in the form of
Fatwa - Legal verdict given based on the Qur'an (Koran) and the Sunnah which are the recorded sayings and deeds of Muhammad.
Ferdose: is the highest level of the all the gardens of Eden or paradise.
Fiqh - Religious law.
Hadeeth: is something reported that the messenger have said. It includes all the speeches and ceremonies he gave. It is usually narrated or told by one of his companions. There is a list of hadeeths approximately 14000 that are reported and checked to be genuine. No more hadeeths are acceptably added to this list.
Hajar - The Black Stone set into the corner of the Ka'aba in Mecca. It is said to be a stone from Heaven.
Hajj - The pilgrimage to Mecca which takes place in the last month of the Islamic calendar. One of the five pillars of Islam.
Hasana or hasanas: is the reward for a good deed. a hasana is a point or a merit for a good deed.
Hadith - The sayings and not deeds of the prophet Muhammad recorded by his followers. Considered authoritative and perfect.
Hajj: is the worship of pilgrimage.
Hijra (or Hejrah): the event of the immigration of the messenger from Mekkah to Madina. This event marks the start of the Islamic calendar. the Islamic calendar has 12 months based on the lunar cycle, each is 29.5 days. Hijra is also used as a name for the Islamic dating system.
Ibadah - Worship. All the words and deeds with which Allah is pleased. These deeds could be prayer and charity.
Iblis - (Ibleese): On of Satan's names.
Ibn (Ebn): the son of. Used by Arabs as part of an individual's name. Example: Ali whose father is Omar or the son of Omar, would be called: Ali Ibn Omar.
Imam (or Emam)- The leader for a prayer. In the Shiaa sect, an Imam is the individual who has the religious authority.
Iman: belief or faith
Injil (Enjeel) - The Bible. The book inspired to Jesus for the Christians.
Islam - Submission, the religion of all the prophets of Allah culminating in Muhammad.
Jannah - The heavenly garden, Paradise. The place of the faithful in the afterlife.
Jihad: is striving in the line of Allah in many forms. Includes a very wide scope varying from improving oneself to fighting a defensive war in protection of Allah's word. The greatest Jihad is the fight one's self against temptations. It also means "holy war."
Jinn - Supernatural, invisible beings race of beings, below angels. They were made from fire. Like humans, there amongst them are the faithful and the non beleivers and Jinn shall be judged on Judgment Day.
Ka'aba: A cube shaped building in Mecca containing a stone laid there by Abraham and Ishmael. Some say Ka'aba was first built by Adam, and some say by Abraham. It is the holiest place for Muslims. It is where all Muslims face in their daily prayers. Ka'aba also makes a major part of the pilgrimage in a ritual known as Tawaf.
Khalifa: is the Muslim ruler. Head of the Islamic empire. Exact translation: "Successor".
Khutbah - A sermon given in a Mosque, usually on Friday.
Kufr - Denial or Disbelief. A term Muslims use for anyone who denies existence of Allah or the prophecy of Muhammed.
Koran - Also spelled Qur'an. The holy book of Islam revealed to Muhammad by Allah through the Archangel Gabriel. Koran literally means "the recital." It is the final revelation of Allah given to the prophet Muhammad. It consists of 114 surahs (or chapters.)
Madinah - (Medinah): A city in the Arabian peninsula (in the country known now as Saudi Arabia). A city where the messenger had to immigrate to. Then it was called Yathrib.
Masjid - A center for Muslim activity. It is referred to as a mosque.
Masiah - A sin, or a sinful act
Mecca or Makkah: is the holiest city for Muslims. It contains the Ka'aba mosque with the famous black cubical shape. Mecca is the birth place of the messenger (PPBU).
Mosque - A Muslim house of worship.
Muhajir - (Muhajireen) Immigrant, one who leaves his home town due to lack of religious freedom. It was first used to describe early Muslims immigrating from Mecca to Median and Ethiopia.
Muhammad - the final messenger and prophet of God whose message abrogated all previous revelations. He received the Koran through the angel Gabriel over a 23 year period. Born in Mecca and died in Medina at the age of 63. His full name: Muhammad ibn Abd-Allah
Muslim - One who holds faith to the religion of Islam.
Nafilah: a voluntary prayer other than the five obligatory prayers; performed at any time.
Nasara - Christians. Nasrani: A Christian individual. Nasraniah: Christianity.
Ommah: is the Arabic word for a nation. It usually refers to the Islamic nation unless otherwise specified.
Paradise - Another word for heaven. A garden of bliss, fruits, rivers and all forms of pleasures imaginable and imaginable. No suffering, disease or death. Service is provided by angels. All live in it an ever lasting youthful life. Promised by Almighty Allah to all faithful, true Jews, true Christians and True Muslims. Paradise is one of two places every person will go to, either Paradise or Hellfire.
PPBU (P.B.U.H.) : Peace and Prayers Be Upon him. A statement Muslims use any time they mention the name of the messenger or make a reference to him.
Qadar - Fate. Preordainment is the teaching that all things, good and bad, are preordained to occur.
Qadr - (night of Qadr): The night when the first revelation of the Koran took place. Most likely it happened during one of the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan. Or when the Koran was brought down to the nearest heaven in one go, and from there it was brought down in bits and few verses at a time over a period of 23 years. This night is considered the holiest night for Muslims with tremendous advantages.
Qibla - The direction which Muslims turn for daily prayers, towards Mecca.
Quraish - An ancient Arab tribe to which the messenger Muhammad belonged.
Ramadan - The ninth month of the Islamic calendar which is the month of the fast. The holiest month in the Muslim colander.
Salat - Prayers. Generally it covers all forms of worship, but more specifically refers to the Muslim rituals which is performed to worship Allah five times daily.
Shiaa: A sect of Islam that teaches that a religion leader (Imam) should be the political ruler and must be direct descendants of the messenger (PPBU). Therefore, disapproving of all Muslim leaders who ruled After the messenger (PPBU) except Ali, the messenger's grandson.
Shirk - Associating another god with Allah. Or associating anyone or anything with Allah. Or using anyone or anything as a medium to Allah. The opposite of Monotheism or Tawheed.
Siam or Soam- Fasting
Sunni: is a the title of those Muslims who are suppose to be following the life style of the messenger. This differentiates them from the Shiaa of Iran.
Sunna (Sunnah): Is how the Messenger PPBU lived, what he did or said. It includes the way he dressed, ate, drank, prayed, interacted with other people and fought. Basically, sunnah is the life style of the messenger PPBU. It is considered the second source of legislation in Islamic laws and it is considered to be an important reference to be used for concluding arguments and disputes. It is also a title give to the main stream Muslims who make 90% if all Muslims.
Surah - A chapter of the Koran.
Tawaf: part of the pilgrimage (Hajj) ritual. It involves walking round the Ka'aba Mosque in anti-clock wise direction a number of seven circles.
Tauhid - Tawheed - Monotheism, in Islam is the teaching that there is only one God who alone is worthy of worship. The first requirement of becoming a Muslim. It is included in the testimony of faith for new Muslims when declaring that God is one: (No God but Allah)
Taqwah - Proper fear and veneration of Allah. A divine spark that enables the person to understand God.
Taurat: The old Testaments and scriptures of Mosa.
Ummah - the word means: a Nation. Usually refers to the Islamic nation unless otherwise stated.
Umrah - (Amrah): A mini hajj. A Minor form of pilgrimage to Mecca. Unlike Hajj which can only be done on the 12th month of the Islamic year, Umrah can be performed at any time.
Wathoo (wadoo): a washing up ritual done by Muslims before each of the five daily prayers known as ablution.
Zaboor - The Psalms
Zakat - The third pillar of Islam. Alms giving, charity that is given to the poor.
Faheem Bukhatwa, my email address is : faheemfb@gmail.com
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