al 'Ard al Muqaddasالأرض المقدس The Holy Land/The Sacred Land
Old Name used in the texts: Baytul Maqdis بيت المقدس
Name used today for Jerusalem: al Quds القدس
Palestine in Arabic is فلسطين
Old Name used in the texts: Baytul Maqdis بيت المقدس
Name used today for Jerusalem: al Quds القدس
Palestine in Arabic is فلسطين
The Holy
Land – Palestine
Many of the
Prophets عليهم السلام were born there, died there, lived there
or passed through or near Jerusalem.
Prophet Ibraheem عليه السلام travelled and settled in Palestine with
his wife Sarah and nephew Loot. Ibraheem lived in Southern Palestine in As
Saba’ (Be’er Sheva) and Loot settled south of the Dead Sea so that their flocks
had enough grass to graze on. Prophet Loot’s people were destroyed due to their
evil practices.
Prophet Yoosuf عليه السلام the
grandson of Ibraheem lived in Jerusalem but was taken to Egypt as a slave where
he later was imprisoned but then made Treasurer. He died in Egypt however his
body was transported back to Jerusalem to be buried alongside his Father,
Grandfather and Great Grandfather Ibraheem عليهم السلام.
Prophet Daawood عليه السلام fought
Goliath at Ashdod near Gaza, Palestine. His Kingdom extended from Ailatul
Aqabah to the Euphrates River. His grave is located on top of a mountain
between Jerusalem and Ramlah after Abu Ghush.
Prophet Sulaymaan عليه السلامcame across the valley
of the ants in Asqalaan between Asdhod and Gaza. He had a grand palace in
Palestine.
Prophet
Yunus عليه السلام stayed at Yafa
(Jaffa) before going to Ninawa near Mosul Iraq.
The Makfilah Caves of the Patriarchs (where the Prophets
Ibraaheem, Ishaaq, Yaa'qoob and Yoosuf are buried) are in Hebron الخليل in Palestine.
Prophet Moosa was buried a stone’s throw away from Jerusalem.
Prophet Moosa was buried a stone’s throw away from Jerusalem.
The graves of Prophet Daawood, Prophet Sulaymaan, Prophet
Zakariyyah and Prophet Yahyaa, are also in Jerusalem, Palestine.
Prophet Eeesaa عليه السلام was born there and
lived there (he did not die but was raised to the heavens and will descend to
earth again towards the end of time).
The first masjid - place of worship - on earth was built by
Prophet Ibraheem in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Then the second place of worship was built in Jerusalem by Prophet Ya'qoob. It was then built upon by Prophet Sulaymaan in the same place.
When it was destroyed by invaders it was rebuilt yet again around the time of Prophet Zakariyyah. Maryam, the Mother of Prophet Eesaa worshipped there.
Then it was destroyed completely again.
The Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم went there and prayed before being taken to the heavens. It was referred to in the Quraan as Masjidul Aqsaa. This was related in the story of Israa wal Mi'raaj.
The Caliph 'Umar رضي الله عنه conquered Jerusalem in 15AH (638CE).
He built a masjid on part of the site. It is called Masjid Al Aqsa.
Then the Caliph Abdul Malik Marwan built a structure over the rock where the Prophet ascended to the heavens. It is the blue and gold building called The Dome of the Rock.
Jerusalem, the Holy Land, is for the pure worship of Allaah alone through Islaam. It is not for any nation or political party. It is not for shirk - polytheism or bid'ah - innovations.
Geography
Then the second place of worship was built in Jerusalem by Prophet Ya'qoob. It was then built upon by Prophet Sulaymaan in the same place.
When it was destroyed by invaders it was rebuilt yet again around the time of Prophet Zakariyyah. Maryam, the Mother of Prophet Eesaa worshipped there.
Then it was destroyed completely again.
The Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم went there and prayed before being taken to the heavens. It was referred to in the Quraan as Masjidul Aqsaa. This was related in the story of Israa wal Mi'raaj.
The Caliph 'Umar رضي الله عنه conquered Jerusalem in 15AH (638CE).
He built a masjid on part of the site. It is called Masjid Al Aqsa.
Then the Caliph Abdul Malik Marwan built a structure over the rock where the Prophet ascended to the heavens. It is the blue and gold building called The Dome of the Rock.
Jerusalem, the Holy Land, is for the pure worship of Allaah alone through Islaam. It is not for any nation or political party. It is not for shirk - polytheism or bid'ah - innovations.
Geography
Find Al-Aqsa
Mosque in Jerusalem, Palestine on the map: https://goo.gl/maps/s6FSnK5HqJx
Timeline
of the Ancient History of Palestine
(All dates are approximate)
1055 BC United Kingdom
(Time of the 1st Masjid Dawood and Sulayman عليهما
السلام)
930 BC Divided
Kingdom
721 BC Assyrian
Exile
586 BC Babylonian Exile
538 BC Persian
Empire (Time of the 2nd Masjid)
332 BC Greek
Empire
64 BC Roman
Empire (Time of Eesaa عليه السلام)
330 CE Byzantine
636 CE Arab
Period (Time of Muhammad عليه السلام)
1099 Crusader
Period
1260 Mameluk
Period
1517 Ottoman
Empire
1917 British
Mandate – Balfour Declaration
1948 Jewish
State
1981 UNESCO
put Jerusalem’s Old City and Walls on the World Heritage List
Summary of Prophets in the Holy Land
Ibraheem He migrated to Palestine and died
there (it is said his grave is in the Makfilah Caves in Hebron)
Loot He migrated along with his
Uncle Ibraheem and lived south of the Dead Sea.
Ishaaq He lived and died there (also in
the Makfilah Caves, Hebron)
Ya’qoob He lived there but migrated to
Egypt to be with his son. He died in Egypt but his body
was transported back to Palestine and buried with his Grandfather and Father in Hebron.
Yoosuf He was born there but his
brothers put him in a well and a passing caravan took him to Egypt where he died.
His body was also taken back to Palestine and buried with his Forefathers in
Hebron.
Yoonus He
visited Jaffa on the Coast.
Moosa He asked to die a stone’s throw
from Jerusalem.
Ayyoub Some say he lived South of Dead
Sea. Others say he lived in South of Damascus.
Daawood He fought Goliath at Ashdod near
Gaza, Palestine. His Kingdom extended from Ailatul Aqabah to the Euphrates
River. His grave is located on top of a mountain between
Jerusalem and Ramlah after Abu Ghush.
Sulaymaan came across the valley of the ants in
Asqalaan between Asdhod and Gaza. He had a grand
palace in Palestine.
Zakariyyah He lived and died there.
Yahyaa He lived and died there.
Eesaa He was born there and lived
there (he did not die but was raised to the heavens and will descend to earth again towards the end of
time).
Muhammad He صلى الله عليه وسلم
visited Masjid al Aqsa - Jerusalem during the Israa and Mi’raaj journey.
These are
the Prophets that we know about. There were many Prophets sent to mankind that
we do not know about.
Making Pilgrimage or worshipping at the graves of the
Prophets or holy men is strictly forbidden. We do not seek blessings from the
place.
Yahya related to me from Malik from Zayd ibn Aslam from Ata
ibn Yasar that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace,
said, "O Allah! Do not make my grave an idol that is worshipped. The anger
on those who took the graves of their Prophets as places of prostration was
terrible."
وَحَدَّثَنِي عَنْ مَالِكٍ، عَنْ زَيْدِ
بْنِ أَسْلَمَ، عَنْ عَطَاءِ بْنِ يَسَارٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم
قَالَ " اللَّهُمَّ لاَ تَجْعَلْ قَبْرِي وَثَنًا يُعْبَدُ اشْتَدَّ غَضَبُ
اللَّهِ عَلَى قَوْمٍ اتَّخَذُوا قُبُورَ أَنْبِيَائِهِمْ مَسَاجِدَ " .
Muwatta. Book 9,
Hadith 88
Hadeeth about visiting punished peoples/archaeological sites.
This hadeeth referred to the people of Thamood who were destroyed by Allaah
after they refused to believe in their Prophet Saalih. (Now in present day
Saudi).
Ibn `Umar narrated:
When the Prophet (ﷺ)
passed by Al-Hijr, he said, "Do not enter the dwelling places of those
people who were unjust to themselves unless you enter in a weeping state lest
the same calamity as of theirs should befall you." Then he covered his
head and made his speed fast till he crossed the valley.
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ
الْجُعْفِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ، أَخْبَرَنَا مَعْمَرٌ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ،
عَنْ سَالِمٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ لَمَّا مَرَّ النَّبِيُّ
صلى الله عليه وسلم بِالْحِجْرِ قَالَ " لاَ تَدْخُلُوا مَسَاكِنَ الَّذِينَ
ظَلَمُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ، أَنْ يُصِيبَكُمْ مَا أَصَابَهُمْ إِلاَّ أَنْ تَكُونُوا بَاكِينَ
". ثُمَّ قَنَّعَ رَأْسَهُ وَأَسْرَعَ السَّيْرَ حَتَّى أَجَازَ الْوَادِيَ.
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 4419
Jerusalem is mentioned in the Qur’aan
in Suratul Israa 17:1-7
{سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي
أَسْرَىٰ بِعَبْدِهِ لَيْلًا مِّنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ
الْأَقْصَى الَّذِي بَارَكْنَا حَوْلَهُ لِنُرِيَهُ مِنْ آيَاتِنَا ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ
السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ (1) وَآتَيْنَا
مُوسَى الْكِتَابَ وَجَعَلْنَاهُ هُدًى لِّبَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ أَلَّا تَتَّخِذُوا
مِن دُونِي وَكِيلًا (2) ذُرِّيَّةَ مَنْ حَمَلْنَا مَعَ نُوحٍ ۚ إِنَّهُ كَانَ
عَبْدًا شَكُورًا (3) وَقَضَيْنَا إِلَىٰ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ فِي الْكِتَابِ
لَتُفْسِدُنَّ فِي الْأَرْضِ مَرَّتَيْنِ وَلَتَعْلُنَّ عُلُوًّا كَبِيرًا (4)
فَإِذَا جَاءَ وَعْدُ أُولَاهُمَا بَعَثْنَا عَلَيْكُمْ عِبَادًا لَّنَا أُولِي
بَأْسٍ شَدِيدٍ فَجَاسُوا خِلَالَ الدِّيَارِ ۚ وَكَانَ وَعْدًا مَّفْعُولًا (5)
ثُمَّ رَدَدْنَا لَكُمُ الْكَرَّةَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَأَمْدَدْنَاكُم بِأَمْوَالٍ
وَبَنِينَ وَجَعَلْنَاكُمْ أَكْثَرَ نَفِيرًا (6) إِنْ أَحْسَنتُمْ أَحْسَنتُمْ
لِأَنفُسِكُمْ ۖ وَإِنْ أَسَأْتُمْ فَلَهَا ۚ فَإِذَا جَاءَ وَعْدُ الْآخِرَةِ لِيَسُوءُوا
وُجُوهَكُمْ وَلِيَدْخُلُوا الْمَسْجِدَ كَمَا دَخَلُوهُ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ
وَلِيُتَبِّرُوا مَا عَلَوْا تَتْبِيرًا (7)} [الإسراء
: 1-7]
1. Glorified (and Exalted) be He (Allah) [above all
that (evil) they associate with Him] [Tafsir Qurtubi, Vol. 10, Page 204]
Who took His slave (Muhammad ) for a journey by night from Al-Masjid-al-Haram
(at Makkah) to the farthest mosque (in Jerusalem), the neighbourhood
whereof We have blessed, in order that We might show him (Muhammad ) of Our Ayat
(proofs, evidences, lessons, signs, etc.). Verily, He is the All-Hearer,
the All-Seer.
2. And We gave Musa (Moses) the
Scripture and made it a guidance for the Children of Israel (saying):
"Take not other than Me as (your) Wakil (Protector, Lord, or
Disposer of your affairs, etc).
3. "O offspring of those whom We
carried (in the ship) with Nuh (Noah)! Verily, he was a grateful slave."
4. And We decreed for the Children of
Israel in the Scripture, that indeed you would do mischief on the earth twice
and you will become tyrants and extremely arrogant!
5. So, when the promise came for the
first of the two, We sent against you slaves of Ours given to terrible warfare.
They entered the very innermost parts of your homes. And it was a promise
(completely) fulfilled.
6. Then We gave you once again, a
return of victory over them. And We helped you with wealth and children and
made you more numerous in man power.
7. (And We said): "If you do good,
you do good for your ownselves, and if you do evil (you do it) against
yourselves." Then, when the second promise came to pass, (We permitted
your enemies) to make your faces sorrowful and to enter the mosque (of
Jerusalem) as they had entered it before, and to destroy with utter destruction
all that fell in their hands.
*********************************
Innovations of Bait ul Maqdis
Taken from ‘The Rites of Hajj and Umrah’
Shaykh Naasir-ud-deen Al-Albaanee. 1998. IIPH. (pp38-55)
1.
Visiting
Bait ul Maqdis along with Hajj and their saying: “May Allaah make your Hajj
holy.”
2.
Making
Tawaaf of the Dome of the Rock like Tawaaf of the ka’bah.
3.
Venerating
the Rock with any form of veneration – like touching or kissing it, or leading
sheep to it to slaughter them there – and visiting it on the night of ‘Arafah,
and building upon it, etc.
4.
Their
claim that there is in the rock the Prophet’s ( ) footprint, and the trace of
his ‘imaamah (turban) and some of them think that it is the footprint of the
Lord.
5.
Visiting
the place which they claim is the cradle of ‘Eesaa – peace be upon him.
6.
They claim
that the Siraat (bridge) and the meezaan (scales) are there, and that the wall
that will be placed between the people of Paradise
and the people of the Fire is the wall built to the east of the mosque.
7.
Venerating
the rock where al-Buraaq is alleged to have been tethered or its place.
8.
Praying by
the grave of Ibraheem – peace be upon him.
9.
Gathering
in Masjid ul Aqsaa at the time of Hajj to sing and play the ‘Daff’ (an
instrument made of a small circle of wood with a skin stretched over one side).
