Masjid al-Aqsa- Why is it so important to Muslims? ‘And the Prophets lived therein. There is not a single inch in Jerusalem where a Prophet or angel has not stood’ -Tirmidhi- The al-Aqsa Sanctuary in Jerusalem is held in great honour and respect by Muslims for numerous reasons.

First direction for Prayer (Qibla)

Since the beginning of time Muslims prayed facing Jerusalem. This is important because it shows the significance and special status of Jerusalem. Muslims continued to face Jerusalem in their prayers until 18 months after Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) migrated from Makkah to Medina. Then, Allah commanded the Muslims to change the direction of the Qibla from Jerusalem to the Ka’bah in Makkah. The Jews in Madinah used to face Jerusalem for their prayers. They disliked the Muslims and did not like that the Muslims faced Jerusalem too. The Jews of Medina would mock the Prophet (peace be upon him), so Allah revealed the following verse in the Qur’an: Verily, We have seen the turning of your ('s) face towards the heaven. Surely, We shall turn you to a Qibla (prayer direction) that shall please you, so turn your face in the direction of Al- Masjid Al-Haram (at Makkah).) (2:144).

Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) informed the Muslims that even though the Qibla had changed, this did not lessen the importance of Masjid al-Aqsa to Muslims.

Second Masjid on Earth

Masjid al-Aqsa was the second Masjid to be built on Earth. Prophet Adam (as) built Masjid al-Aqsa 40 years after building the Ka’bah in Makkah. This shows us how important Masjid al-Aqsa is for Muslims, because Allah ordered it to be built by the very first man He placed on Earth. Through the centuries, Masjid Al-Aqsa was rebuilt by a number of noble people. Prophet Ibrahim (as) left his birth town in Iraq and travelled to Jerusalem, where he established his home in the Blessed Land. He found Masjid al-Aqsa in ruins so he rebuilt it with his son Ishaq (as). After Prophet Ishaq (as) passed away, his sons left Palestine and travelled to Egypt. Masjid al-Aqsa was left alone and neglected as people began to forget about Allah. The Masjid started to crumble and fall. After many years the Masjid was completely destroyed. Allah then sent Prophet Dawud (as), who was strong and brave, to Palestine. After Allah made him the King of Jerusalem, Dawud (as) started to rebuild Masjid al-Aqsa once again. Prophet Dawud (as) used to pray in the compound of the al-Aqsa sanctuary whilst the Masjid was being constructed. However, he passed away before he could finish rebuilding the Masjid. Dawud (as)’s son, Sulayman (as) was also a Prophet of Allah and continued his father’s work until the Masjid was completely restored. Sulayman (as) loved Masjid al-Aqsa greatly, and he commanded the to help him complete the building. Many Prophets after Prophet Sulayman (as) who lived nearby Masjid al-Aqsa prayed inside it and took care of it in recognition of its holy status. Third holiest in

Masjid al-Aqsa is the holiest Islamic site in Jerusalem and is the third most sacred site in Islam. There are many other Masajid and places of significance in Palestine but Masjid al-Aqsa has the greatest status, dating back to the first man on earth, Prophet Adam (as). Masjid al-Aqsa has been mentioned many times by the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) in regards to its virtue and importance. It is the only Masjid besides the Ka`bah in Makkah which is mentioned by name in the Qur`an. Abu Darda (ra) relates that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “A prayer in Makkah (Ka’bah) is worth 1,000,000 times [reward], a prayer in my Masjid (Medina) is worth 1,000 times and a prayer in Al-Aqsa Sanctuary is worth 500 times more reward than anywhere else”. [Tabarani, Bayhaqi, Suyuti]

Isra w’al Miraj (the night journey) One of the remarkable events that took place in the life of Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) was when Allah took him from Makkah to Jerusalem and then into the heavens in the space of one night. This miraculous journey is known as ‘Isra w’al Miraj.’ The journey from Makkah to Jerusalem by Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) was on a special animal called Buraq, which is also known as Al-Isra. One of the reasons Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) was taken from Makkah to Jerusalem was to remind us of the status given to the first two Masajid built on Earth: the Ka’bah and Masjid al- Aqsa. Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) was given many blessings on this night and one special blessing was that he prayed in Masjid Al-Aqsa. This prayer was no ordinary prayer. That night, Allah brought together every single Prophet that has ever lived and they all prayed behind Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him). This was the only time all Allah’s Prophets have ever been together and highlights a key moment in Islamic history.

Glorified is He (Allah) Who took His servant for a journey by night from the Sacred Masjid (in Makkah) to al-Aqsa Masjid (in Jerusalem), whose precincts We have blessed, in order that We might show him some of Our Signs: for He is the One Who hears and sees (all things). [Al-Isra 17:1]