Faculty of Tarbiyah and Teacher Training – Hold on, guys! Get ready to hear an amazing story about Palestine and the Al-Aqsa Mosque! So, Palestine is incredibly significant in Islamic history. This land not only has a rich history but also was a place of struggle and preaching for many prophets and messengers who worked tirelessly to invite people to believe in and follow Allah SWT. One of the proofs is the existence of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Guys, this mosque is one of the oldest in Islamic history!
There’s an awesome story from Imam Ibn Hajar in his book Fathul Bari bi Sharh Sahih al-Bukhari. The mosque was first built by Prophet Adam (AS). Then, it was beautified by Prophet David (AS) and further enhanced by Prophet Solomon (AS). That’s why it’s no surprise that this mosque is considered very special in Islam.
Al-Aqsa Mosque not only has ancient history but also witnessed the prophetic missions of Allah’s messengers before Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). In fact, this mosque was once the Qibla (direction of prayer) before it was changed to face the Kaaba, as we know it today. Here’s a fascinating story, guys! ??
Al-Aqsa Mosque also witnessed the incredible event when Allah SWT transported the Prophet Muhammad from the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Palestine. You know about the Isra event, right? Then, the Prophet ascended from the Al-Aqsa Mosque to traverse the highest heavens to a limit that cannot be reached by angels, humans, or jinn, known as Mi’raj. As Allah says in the Quran:
سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي أَسْرَى بِعَبْدِهِ لَيْلًا مِنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الْأَقْصَى الَّذِي بَارَكْنَا حَوْلَهُ لِنُرِيَهُ مِنْ آيَاتِنَا إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ
Meaning: “Exalted is He who took His Servant by night from al-Masjid al-Haram to al-Masjid al-Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him of Our signs. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing.” (Quran 17:1).
Guys, Al-Aqsa Mosque is truly extraordinary! The worship we perform there earns greater rewards and merits compared to worship in other places. Cool, right? So, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) did not prohibit us from going there. In fact, there’s a hadith narrated by Imam Bukhari that says:
لاَ تُشَدُّ الرِّحَالُ إِلاَّ إِلَى ثَلاَثَةِ مَسَاجِدَ: الْمَسْجِدُ الْحَرَامِ، وَمَسْجِدِي، وَبَيْتُ الْمَقْدِسِ
Meaning: “Do not set out on a journey except to three mosques: the Sacred Mosque (Masjid al-Haram), this mosque of mine (Masjid Nabawi), and the Al-Aqsa Mosque.”
Guys, here’s some awesome info! Besides the calming presence of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Palestine is also home to the tombs of many prophets and messengers. According to the renowned scholar Imam Ibn Kathir (died 774 AH), the tombs of Prophet Abraham, Prophet Isaac, and Prophet Jacob (AS) are there! They are located in the ancient city of Hebron, also known as al-Khalil, in the West Bank of Palestine. Ibn Kathir in his book states:
فَقَبْرُهُ وَقَبْرُ وَلَدِهِ اِسْحَقَ وَقَبْرُ وَلَدِ وَلَدِهِ يَعْقُوْبَ بِبَلَدِ حَبْرُوْنَ وَهُوَ الْبَلَدُ الْمَعْرُوْفُ بِالْخَلِيْلِ الْيَوْمَ وَهَذَا تَلقى بِالتَّوَاتُرِ أُمَّةً بَعْدَ أُمَّةٍ
Meaning: “As for his (Prophet Abraham’s) tomb, and the tombs of his son Prophet Isaac and his grandson Prophet Jacob, they are in the town of Hebron, which is known as al-Khalil today. This has been continuously reported by one generation after another.” (Imam Ibn Kathir, al-Bidayah wan Nihayah, [Beirut, Darul Ihya at-Turath: 1988], Vol. I, p. 202).
Guys! Besides the prophets, Palestine is also a special place for the tombs of the companions of the Prophet, such as Ubadah bin Samit, Abu Ubaidah bin al-Jarrah, and other companions. So, there is not only a prophetic aura but also the traces of the companions. That’s the story about the names of the prophets who have tombs at Al-Aqsa Mosque. Hope it’s beneficial! ??
Source:
- https://islam.nu.or.id/sirah-nabawiyah/para-nabi-yang-dimakamkan-di-masjidil-aqsa-GRdIn
- https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/gradient-al-aqsa-illustration_23639294.htm#fromView=search&page=1&position=5&uuid=5aca7fea-3836-40a7-832e-6a3b24c4dcbc
