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8 Things You Didn’t Know About Masjid Al-Aqsa

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There can be only one choice for the world’s most contested area of land, and that is Masjid Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem. It is no exaggeration to say that for thousands of years, people have been dying for control over it.

For Muslims, it holds a very important place in our heart. It is the 3rd most holy site in Islam. It is the location that the Prophetṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) was transported to during the journey of Israa and Miraaj. It was the scene for the most extraordinary gathering in the history of mankind – when every Prophet that ever lived were gathered together for a congregational prayer behind Prophet Muhammadṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him).

And yet, here are some things you may not already know about Masjid Al Aqsa:

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8. It isn’t just one mosque

Al-Aqsa-Compound

Yes – there are multiple mosques on the site that we know as Masjid Al Aqsa. We think of Masjid Al-Aqsa as the building at the southernmost corner of the Mosque. In actual fact, that is the Qibly mosque – so called because it is the closest to the Qibla. The whole mount is Masjid Al Aqsa and is sometimes referred to the Haram Al-Sharif to prevent confusion. But there are other mosques present on the site which are usually connected to historical incidents e.g. the Buraq masjid, the Marwani masjid and more.

7. It is a burial ground

There is no record of how many Prophets and Sahaabas of the Prophetṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) are buried there. but there are certainly many. For instance, Prophet Sulaiman'alayhi'l-salām (peace be upon him) is possibly buried there since we know that a Prophet is always buried where he died, and he'alayhi'l-salām (peace be upon him) died whilst supervising the construction of the previous building in some traditions.

6. It was a garbage dump

In the period of time when no Jews were allowed to live in the city, the mainly Roman inhabitants used the area of the masjid as a garbage dump. When UmarraḍyAllāhu 'anhu (may Allāh be pleased with him) liberated the city, he cleared the trash with his bare hands. He also ended the centuries-old exile of the Jews and invited 70 families of a nearby refugee village back into Jerusalem giving them the right to return after centuries in exile – a favour that our cousins seem to have forgotten.

5. Al Ghazali lived and wrote his magnum opus there

mutiara-ihya-ulumuddin

One of the most famous books in Islamic literature is Ihyaa Ulum Al-Din by the great scholar of Islam Abu Hamid Al-Ghazali. He is a man that is revered by all schools of thought for his ability plunge into the depths of the human soul whilst remaining anchored to Quranic and Prophetic teachings. What most people don’t know is that Al-Ghazali, for a time, lived in Masjid Al-Aqsa and wrote the book whilst there. A building in the masjid marks the site of his old room.

4. It was used as a stable, palace, and execution chamber

images-11

When the first Crusaders took Jerusalem, they found the majority of the Muslim population locked up in Masjid Al Aqsa. They slaughtered roughly 70,000 of them and then converted the Qibly Masjid into a palace, the Dome of the Rock into a chapel, and the underground chambers into a stable. Muslims who survived the initial massacre were later crucified on a large cross placed near the centre of the Masjid. This was the only cross that was broken by the Salahuddin. The base of the cross can still be seen there today (picture above.)

3. It had a legendary mimbar

417px-Saladin_Minbar-Aqsa

Nooruddin Zengi, one of the greatest heroes in the history of Islam, had a special mimbar (pulpit) built to be installed in Masjid Al Aqsa when it would be eventually retaken from the Crusaders (you have to admire his supreme confidence). This mimbar was not only beautiful, but it was made without using a single nail or lick of glue. Sadly Nooruddin did not live to see victory, but his protege Salahuddin fulfilled the wish of his teacher, and after liberating Jerusalem for the 2nd time in the history of Islam, installed the mimbar. It is still a work of legend amongst artisans and craftsmen. Unfortunately, this mimbar did not survive the events described in point 1.

2. The Dome of the Rock used to look very different 

85571411_p

The dome of the Rock – what is likely to be the first dome ever built in the history of Islam – was built by the Umayyad Caliph AbdulMalik ibn Marwan. It started life wooden with either a brass, lead or ceramic cover, but almost a thousand years later during the reign of the Ottoman Caliph Suleiman the Magnificent, the distinctive gold layer was added to the dome along with the Ottoman tiles to the facade of the building.

1. It has been burnt down

Ever wonder what would happen if Masjid Al Aqsa was violated, a conquering army flag flown from the dome of the rock and the masjid itself burnt down? Surely the Muslim world wouldn’t let that happen?

Think again.

PAR135131

In 1967, Jerusalem left Muslim hands for the 3rd time and came under the control of Israel. The conquering Israeli soldiers flew their flag from the dome. The Israeli leadership realised that overt control of Masjid Al-Aqsa would serve as a constant provocation to the Muslim world. They used the fig leaf of a Waqf in order to placate the Muslims into complacency.

It worked.

[youtube 2kU5m4vjsqE]

In 1969, an Australian Zionist set fire to the mimbar of Nuruddin and the Qibly mosque itself. The resulting inferno enveloped the entire Qibly mosque. The Muslim world awoke to scenes from the worst of nightmares. Desperate palestinians tried to put out the flames in anyway they could. An entire Ummah hung their head in shame.

Since then, the mosque has been rebuilt and refurbished, but the assaults against the 3rd holiest site in Islam continue to this day. Excavations undermining the foundations of the entire Mosque, unauthorised visits, and daily threats to rebuild the old temple are all currently under way. Masjid Al-Aqsa still waits.

If you liked this, you may also be interested in the other articles in this series:

10 things you didn’t know about the Kaaba

9 things you didn’t know about the Prophet’s Mosque

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Dr. Muhammad Wajid Akhter - National Council Member, Muslim Council of Britain | mcb.org.uk - Lead, National Muslim Covid Response Group | covid@mcb.org.uk - Council Member, British Islamic Medical Association | britishima.org - Founder, Charity Week for Orphans and children in need | charityweek.com - Co-Founder, Islamic History Channel | islamichistorychannel.org - International Director, FIMA Lifesavers

71 Comments

71 Comments

  1. Dreamlife

    February 14, 2014 at 3:49 AM

    JazakAllah for that.

    Do you have any info about the downstairs section of the Qibly masjid? Some say that a section there was the chamber of Maryam a.s. – but that seems unlikely since the building probably wasn’t around in those times.

    A lot of fascinating stories may exist about the sites there, but our tour guide was adamant that there isn’t proof for many of the stories.

    • WAJiD

      February 14, 2014 at 4:48 PM

      Walaikum asalaam,

      I do, but I left it out for precisely the reason that your tour guides mentioned. The theories are fascinating though…

      • Saba Rahim

        February 15, 2014 at 9:03 PM

        I am sorry about my careless and callous remark about Indian Muslims; I withdraw my comment. You are doing a noble service, the best kind of Jehad- ” The ink of a scholar is more sacred …” Thank you for the other information. I think I have developed coping skills to deal with those kind of challenges.

      • Steve

        July 24, 2016 at 10:46 AM

        If its the 3rd holiest site why do you not let Jews pray there? Its the number one holy site for Jews.

    • mohammed

      June 25, 2014 at 9:01 PM

      Salam can anyone inform, me of a good tour guide to visit this beautiful mosque. I truly want to go. Also great piece of work fascinating read. Thanks Wajid

    • rehan

      September 12, 2014 at 10:20 AM

      Allhamdulillah, this is very valuable information about Masjid Al Aqsa. I was totally unaware of facts and figures of it.
      History repeat its self inn shaa allah the day will come again Muslims will perform salah inside of the Masjid e Al Aqsa.

    • Md. Hasanuzzaman Siddique

      August 9, 2015 at 6:03 AM

      Subhanallah Alhamdulillah Lailaha Illallahu Allahu Akbar- I would like to say, please do avoid that sort of things because it may create confusion. We the human being rarely have the ability to recall so exactly and we mostly drives by emotional touches what can modify the things and facts. I do think in that way- I seek mercy and forgiveness from the Almighty Allah Subhanallahu Tayala only.

      • reshaad abrahim adem

        December 28, 2016 at 8:06 AM

        subhaanallaah wallahamdulillaah allaahu akbaar

    • saima

      March 10, 2016 at 2:53 AM

      Hazrat Suleman As was built Masjid Aqsa .he was order to jin and jin built masjid-e-aqsa

    • reshaad abrahim adem

      December 28, 2016 at 8:03 AM

      masha allaah may allah bless you!!!!!!!!!!

  2. Adnan Farooq Chatha

    February 14, 2014 at 1:23 PM

    JazakAllah…. very informative article…

  3. Alsanussi

    February 14, 2014 at 1:50 PM

    I thought that Imam Al Ghazali wrote Ihyaa Ulum Al-Din in Masjid Alammawi, Damascus.

    • O H

      February 14, 2014 at 6:59 PM

      “What most people don’t know is that Al-Ghazali, for a time, lived in masjid Al-Aqsa and wrote the book whilst there”

      What I understand from this part of the article is part of the book was written whilst he was in Jerusalem, not the entire book

  4. shoheb ahmed

    February 14, 2014 at 3:29 PM

    Is it appropriate to refer to a masjid as mosque?

    • Zainab

      February 14, 2014 at 4:42 PM

      Stop trying to find faults in everything. Masjid or mosque whatever u call it. Call it with respect in ur heart. That is all that matters

    • WAJiD

      February 14, 2014 at 4:46 PM

      Salaam Shoheb & Zainab,

      Just to put Shoheb comment in perspective, there was a theory at one time that the word “mosque” was derogatory and developed by Islamophobes. However, there’s been no evidence to back that up so I personally think it’s ok to use the word “mosque” when referring to a masjid in English. But if you don’t – that’s cool too.

      WAJiD

  5. Muhammed Aslam Khan

    February 14, 2014 at 6:26 PM

    Does anyone know where i can purchase the complete ihya ul uloom in english? As shown above jazakAllah

  6. O H

    February 14, 2014 at 6:53 PM

    One of the most important articles on MM of late. Wallahi it really saddens me how ignorant and relatively indifferent we Muslims are regarding this sacred site. I didn’t know many of these things! Jazak Allaahu Khair akhi for the great article on the greatest of subjects.

  7. Maira

    February 14, 2014 at 8:51 PM

    I didn’t know even a single point that you have mentioned. Jazak’Allahu khairun

  8. archerofmusings

    February 15, 2014 at 1:00 AM

    This article contains a historical mistake which has trailed from orientalist, Gold Zihers, poor attack on Az-zuhri that he helped abdul malik bin marwan to fabricate narrations regarding the Al-aqsa complex so people would stop going to the kabah for hajj. Apart from the indepth academic criticism and the undeniable answers given to Zihers misunderstanding of islamic history one major historical point needs to be corrected;
    waleed bin abdul malik ordered the construction of the dome of the rock. This is is undisputed amongst the leading historians of islamic chronology like Ibn asaakir, at-tabari, ibn al-atheer, ibn khuldoon, ibn katheer and many others. The only person to mention it was abdul malik ibn marwan was ibn khalikaan as reported by ad-dimyari in “The book of creatures”!!
    This obviously is a disproven by all historians as well as holding an un-authentic attribution to ibn khaliqan.
    Adapted from Dr.mustafa sibaiees The sunnah and islamic legislation arabic version (dar as-salam, cairo, 2008, pg 203)

  9. bmdarwinSam

    February 15, 2014 at 1:48 AM

    Point 7 is not accurate. There is no proof that Suleiman was buried their, yet it is annoying to see you repeat the Israeli hoax about Suleiman grave and the “place of the original building.”

    • Aly Balagamwala | DiscoMaulvi

      February 17, 2014 at 3:23 AM

      Dear bmdarwinSam

      Our Comments Policy requires a valid name or Kunyah as well as a valid email address to be used when commenting. You may also use a blog handle provided your blog is linked, the email address is a valid one, and it is not advertising a product.

      Best Regards
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  10. WAJiD

    February 15, 2014 at 3:39 AM

    Salaam alaikum,

    @archerofmusings – There is some debate about whether it was Abdul Malik or his Walid that built the dome of the Rock. I was taught and tend to agree with Al Wasiti and Maqdisi who believe it was the former. Like you, I believe that the claim that the intention behind building it was to serve as an alternative to the Kaaba is historical propaganda. That is why I didn’t mention it in the article.

    @bmdarwinsam – There is no proof that Sulaiman (A) was buried there, which is why I laid out my logic in the article. I may be wrong. Allahu Alam.

    Also, I believe you misunderstood what I mean by “original building.” Muslims all agree that the current structure is built on the area of the original Masjid Al Aqsa. This is what I meant. There is only debate about whether the original Masjids and the Jewish temples are one and the same.

  11. Tariq

    February 15, 2014 at 10:32 AM

    Great job, mashaAllah responding to the comments. I spent 8 wonderful days alhamdolillah at AlQuds, and it really was wonderful to pray at alAqsa. May Allah be pleased with the ummah and save her from Zionist aggression. Ameen.

    • mujtaba

      September 8, 2015 at 7:04 PM

      ASALAMUALAIKUM
      is it still possible to visit masjid al aqsa
      mashallah these people have visited it in the above comments they r blessed to recieve an opportunity like that
      may ALLAH S.W.T give us all this opportunity in life

      • AbdulMalik Shabazz

        December 5, 2015 at 4:51 AM

        Ameen ya Allah.

  12. waseem

    February 15, 2014 at 4:33 PM

    Salaam,
    need a advice. I hope to travel to alquds in march and also visit jordan. I am travelling from uk. Will I be able to get visa from jerusalam border to cross into jordan. Or should I get visa from uk. And will I be able to travel back across border to fly back from tel aviv. Jzk

  13. Adam Abdul

    February 15, 2014 at 8:35 PM

    The Muslims want it to share…….
    The Jews want it for themselves…….
    So the utmost consensus comes to no where close apparently……..
    So the Muslims to take heed every time the Jews try to outwit the Muslims but failed vainly…….
    We the Muslims knew the weakness origins of the Jews clearly depicted in The Glorious ………..
    Al Quran Nul Haqeem in The 2 nd Surah : Al Baqarah > The Heifer ( red calf ) ………………………!!!

    • Hillel Walters

      September 8, 2014 at 4:33 PM

      The Muslims want to share…
      How disappointing that an educated article like this would not mention another not well known fact – that alquds is built on the site that once was the Jewish temple.

  14. Muhammad Wajid Akhter

    February 16, 2014 at 5:02 AM

    Salaam all –

    JazakAllah khairun for your kind words. As to advice on travelling to Jerusalem, it is worth noting that there is a difference of opinion amongst scholars. One opinion holds that it is a virtuous act since it has been mentioned in hadith as such, whereas another view is that it is unacceptable to travel there as a tourist whilst it is under occupation.

    The second view is the one that Salahuddin and his contemporaries held. It is the view acted upon by Umar (R) and the Sahaaba in general. It is the one I hold too.

  15. Muhammad Ahmad

    August 16, 2014 at 1:42 PM

    There is one thing you do not know that Israel is digging the Al Aqsa Mosque to reveal the books of magic teach by Harut and Marut which Hazrat sulaiman Buried under his throne. which is first revealed by the Britons and the call it a national treasure to keep the place secret they put the Knights there called FREEMASONS But Hazrat Sala ud DIN aubi (R.A) knew about the treasure so he fought with Crusaders and defeat them. and Sealed the Cursed books known as the jewish Magic KABALA. The Crusader took some of the books with them and then become the world super power for 1000 years. it was first stolen by Eqyptian Pharohs they become the world power too. Now you are beginning to see that why Israel choose the Palestine for there state. they start the digging too But Alas there is no Salah ud din aubi in us now to stop them. for information watch The arrivals series at http://www.wakeupproject.com. it is very sad that we dont even know about history.

  16. GregAbdul

    August 31, 2014 at 1:50 PM

    My understanding is the Jews have appointed a set of Muslims to control the area. Which means in reality the area is under Jewish control. I have a question because sometimes we do propaganda over history. The Prophet, sws, did Mirajj from al aqua. Did he rise from five different points and all the “mosques” you site in your report? Does anyone pray at the Dome of the Rock? Is there carpet under the Dome?

    • ridha

      September 19, 2014 at 4:30 PM

      1)when was isra & mi’raj
      2) when was buil al masjed al hyaram …it was only one ))…small one buil by khalif Omar …Mohamed was already expire …so can you understand ???
      THANK YOU IF YOU OPEN YOUR MIND

  17. Pingback: 8 THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT MASJID AL-AQSA | PASS THE KNOWLEDGE (LIGHT & LIFE)

  18. firdaus wanjiru

    November 15, 2014 at 12:44 PM

    Assalam aleykum warahmatullahi wabarakatuhu.am doing a school research on Masjid Al Aqsa and its during my search that i came across this article.so was asking if you know of an authentic site or a book i can use to assist in my research.by the way nice article.
    jazakallahu kheir.

  19. Pingback: Ten Things You Didn't Know About The Kaaba - MuslimMatters.org

  20. Jan muhammad

    January 3, 2015 at 12:59 PM

    Asalamu alikum thanks for ur valuable information abt masjid al Aqsa dear i hv heard abt thre is a golden base inside the masjid wre from our beloved prophet Muhammad pbuh was invited for the holy journey is this true.

  21. Pingback: “. . . checking over my shoulder to see if I am shadowed. . .” (Yousef Abu Loz) | Palestine InSight

  22. Abu Muhammad

    June 1, 2015 at 11:49 AM

    Can you give me your sources on the history of Masjid al-Aqsa as being built on the same foundation as Beteyel, the masjid erected by prophet Ibrahim. Also where can we read authentic sources about Beteyel?

    There is a christian theologian cum researcher by the name of Dr.Robert Cornuke that claims that the temple mount was not the site of the temple od Solomon but a Roman fort. Is the significance of al-Aqsa based on it being built on the foundation of Solomon’s temple?

  23. Taslim

    June 7, 2015 at 1:29 PM

    I am really thankful to the people who have provided this information.thankyou

  24. Hisham

    September 19, 2015 at 4:24 PM

    I am a little confused. Al Aqsa was built by The first Umayyad ruler, Mu’awiya, between 688-691. How was it possible that the Quran would mention the Massjid Al Aqsa as the place where prophet Mohamad (pbuh) ascended to heaven when it was not built during the prophets life time? Is it possible that the quran was referring to another Massjid Al-Aqsa?

    • beleiveinonegod

      September 20, 2015 at 12:44 PM

      this can happen in folklore and when oral traditions are written down with embellishments to make the narrative more impactful and believable to the uneducated, highly superstitious and god fearing multitudes.

      • hisham

        September 20, 2015 at 12:56 PM

        Thats not the reason. I done more research today and discovered that Al-Aqsa that the Quran refers to, is actually the whole compound which was known as Massjid Al-Aqsa. Not the actual ‘Dome of the Rock’ that was built by the first Umayyad ruler, Mu’awiya. So the Quran was referring to the ancient temple of Prophet Solomon also known as a place of worship and prostration to the one God.

      • kris

        October 6, 2015 at 1:09 AM

        The Night journey and subsequent flight on a winged horse to heaven from the Al Aqsa Mosque (Which wasnt even built then) is obviously a fabrication simply to give legitimacy to Islam’s claim for a Holy site in Jerusalem.
        Not content with their own 2 Holy sites of Medina and Mecca they have to lay claim to the only Holy site for Jews and Christians so that this gives them the foundation for further attacks on the preceding religions that they are determined and have been determined throughout their history to eventually obliterate and establish ‘The last and final prophet’ throughout the entire world.

  25. Pingback: Comment on 8 Things You Didn’t Know About Masjid Al-Aqsa by Hisham | Souqhub | Blog

  26. Pingback: Al-Aqsa Mosque under Jewish attack | Uprootedpalestinians's Blog

  27. J

    September 25, 2015 at 10:31 AM

    Very interesting article, except for a few inaccuracies:

    1. The Israeli flag was never flown from the dome of the rock.

    2. The mounting not under siege. The excavations are archeological in nature and are meant to better understand and preserve history. They are certainly not destructive in any way and are carried out by Israel’s ministry of antiquities, which is the best in the world. This is the exact opposite of how the Waqf just destroys any archeological evidence of Jewish ties to the site. The only thing about the visits to the mount that are “unauthorized” is that the visitors are not Muslim and some dare to even want to pray at the site, which happens to also be the holiest site in the world in Judaism.

    Lastly, they’re are no serious efforts to destroy al aksa and rebuild a Jewish temple on the site. That is propaganda that is spread in order to stir up Muslim sentimentalities against Israel.

    • isaac

      February 15, 2016 at 4:22 PM

      its a shame that people in the muslim world are so easily led by fear mongers. i’m Jewish, the synagogue i belong to does not believe in the building of the third temple. if they wanted to build the temple; they would have done it by now.
      i came to this article with a genuine interest in the history. it was interesting that it made only one reference to the old temple. surely the fact that al-aqsa stands on the ruins of the holiest site in Judaism (the religion it owes its existence to), is worthy of note!

  28. M A Hussain

    September 30, 2015 at 2:10 AM

    Mr. Waseem – You have a valid passport, so just fly to Jordan (Amman) & you will be provided a visa for Jordan at the airport. That visa will be workable for your complete trip. With that visa there are 2 options, as stated:
    1. While entering Jerusalem inform at the border that you will come back to Amman & fly back to UK.
    2. While entering Jerusalem inform at the border that you will not return back & fly from Tel Aviv.

    Do not get the visa stamped from UK, as I visited recently with Canadian Passport under the same situation. There were many tourists like me from UK, Canada, US, Poland – – -. For your information whole of the old Jerusalem area is on 144 acres, covering the whole Al-Aqsa & the surroundings with different small mosques, churches, convents & other worship places.

    All the best with your trip.

  29. Manzoor Rabbani

    October 13, 2015 at 1:39 AM

    According to Islamic Scholar’s.

    In Isalmic history Hazrath Dawood alhi was salaam was the first Prophet to construct a Mosque at Bait Ul Muqaddas.

    Hazrath Suleiman alhi was salaam, later expanded this with the help of jinns.
    He built a raised Platform with huge stone blocks with Maqaam a Sakhra as its centre.

    Hazrath Moosa alihi was salaam was also commanded by Allah to make Maqaam a Sakhra his Qibla. And he build a Grand Mosque around it.

    This GRAND MOSQUE was first Destroyed by Firoun of Egypt and later by the Romans, Byzantines, Christians and other invaders.

    On the night of Meraj Our Holy Prophet Huzoor Sallalahu Alhi Wa Sallam led the prayers facing Maqaam a Sakhra as KAABATULLAH had not yet been made the Qibla.

    During the Kilafat of Hazrath Umer Farooq Raziallah Anhu, Palestine (present day Jeruselam) was for the first time conquered by the Muslim army. He immediately started searching for the sacred site.
    All he saw was a huge pile of debris, Hazrath Umer Farooq Raziallah Anhu looked around for Maqaam A Sakhra, he saw the stone slab under the pile of debris,he recognised the same as it had been described by our Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alhi Wa Sallam.

    He removed his cloak with which he cleaned the area.The Muslim army cleared the whole area with great respect and looked at Hazrath Umer Farooq Raziallah Anhu as to what he would do next.He stood in the small cave and facing KAABATULLAH bowed down in Prayers.

    Accompanied with the other Shaaba he looked around for a suitable place to build a Mosque in the vast platform and ordered a Mosque to be built with the Mehrab on the SOUTHERN side of the platform since Palestine is to the north of Mecca. And a Mosque was constructed.

    Sultan Malik ibn Marwan later expanded the Mosque and also constructed a beautifull Golden Dome on top of Maqaam A Sakhra.

    The Crusaders invaded Palestine and destroyed much of what Sultan Malik ibn Marwan had built.The Christians placed a cross on top of the dome. The Mosque was converted to a Church.

    Sultan Salahuddin Aiyubi reconqured Palestine and reconstructed the Mosque and Maqaam A Sakhra.And he built a metal curtain around the stone slab as people started to chip away small peices of the stone for Barkkat.

    The Turkey Sultans of the Ottaman Empire ruled Palestine until 1928.

    From 1929 to 1948 it was under British rule.

    In 1948 the Americans and British and handed it over to the jews the palestines were driven out of their homes and many were martyred.

    IN 1967 IN THE SIX DAY WAR AFTER ENTERING BAIT UL MUQQADAS, THEY WANTED TO BLOW UP BOTH THE MOSQUE AND MAQAAM A SAKHRA WITH 100 Kgs OF EXPLOVISES.
    BUT BY THE GRACE OF ALMIGHTY ALLAH THEY WERE DUMBSTRUCK, THEY LEFT HARAM SHERIFF AFTER A FEW HOURS GIVING BACK INCHARGE TO THE WAKF.

    HOW CAN WE DIFFRENCIATE BETWEEN THE MOSQUE AND MAQAAM A SAKRAH.
    THEY ARE WITHIN THE BOUNDERIES OF HARAM SHERIFF.THE WHOLE AREA AND ITS SURRONDINGS ARE BLESSED BY ALLAH.

    THE MOSQUE WHICH WE SEE TODAY IS IN THE SOUTHERN PORTION OF BAIT UL MUQADDAS WAS FIRST BUILT DURING THE TIME OF HAZRATH UMER FAROOQ RAZIALLAH ANHU.AND LATER REBUILT BY OTHERS.

    THE GRAND MOSQUE BUILT IN THE ENTIRE COMPLEX BY THE EARLIER PROPHETS WAS DESTROYED BY THE ENEMIES OF ISLAM.

    MAQAAAM A SAKHRA IS THE CENTRE OF MASJID AKSA(HARAM SHERIFF) IT THE PLACE OF PRAYERS OF PROPHETS OF ISLAM AND THE PLACE OF ACCEPTENCE OF THEIR DUA’S. IT IS THE QIBLA AWWAL. ALLAH HAS BLESSED THE PLACE AND ITS SOURRINDINGS.

    MUSLIMS DISPLAY THE PHOTO OF MAQAAM A SAKHRA IN THEIR HOMES AND OFFICES (IT IS EVEN DISPLAYED ON OUR PRAYER MATS).FOR BARAKKAT AS IT IS THE HEART OF BAIT UL MUQADDAS LIKE HOW KAABA IS THE HEART OF HARAM SHERIFF IN MECCA MOUIZMA.

    IT IS THE PLACE FROM WHERE THE HEAVENLY STEED BURRAQ ALONG WITH HAZRATH GIBRAIL (A.S.)LEFT FOR MERAJ WITH OUR HOLY PROPHET HUZOOR SALLALLAHU ALHI WA SALLAM.

    THE MOSQUE IN THE MASJID AKSA COMPOUND IS SLOWLY BEING DAMAGED BY THE JEWS BY DIGGING UNDERNEATH ITS FOUNDATION.

    FIRSTLY NO SANE MAN IN THE CORRECT STATE OF MIND WILL EVER THINK OF DESTROYING/REMOVING A MOSQUE

    SECONDLY IF A NATURAL CALAMITY WERE TO HAPPEN. THE MOSQUE WILL BE REBUILT INSHALLAH ON A MUCH GRANDEUR SCALE.

    THIRDLY IF SOMEONE WERE TO ”MAZALLAH” DESTROY OR REMOVE THE MOSQUE DELEBIRATELY, MAY ALLAH BURN HIM HELL FIRE OF THE FIRST DEGEREE. HE IS AN ENEMY OF ALLAH AND ALLAH WILL DESTROY THEM.

    THE JEWS WANT TO DESTROY THE MOSQUE AND MAQAAM A SAKHRA, AND TAKE FULL CONTROL OF BAIT UL MUQADDAS THEY ARE TRYING IN ALL WAYS AND MEANS AND ARE SAYING THAT IT IS THEIR’S KINGS PALACE.

    ALLAH PROTECT US FROM THIS SHIATEEN ”AMEEN” .THE PEOPLE OF PALESTINE ARE FIGHTING TO LIBERATE BAIT UL MUQADDAS. ALLAH WILL HELP THEM AND INSHALLAH BAIT UL MUQADDAS WILL BE LIBERATED ONCE AGAIN.

    MAY ALLAH FOR THE SAKE OF HIS BELOVED PROPHET MUHAAMMED UR RASOOLAH SALLAL LAHU ALHI WA SALLAM FORGIVE ME FOR ANY OMMISIONS/MISTAKES WHILE WRITING THIS.

    Manzoor Rabban

  30. Bilal Yaqoob

    November 2, 2015 at 12:09 PM

    The structure with the golden globe is not Masjid Al-Aqsa note that .

  31. zaid

    November 30, 2015 at 9:40 AM

    I have been in all aqsa mosque and the dome of the rock and prayed there it is a truly wonderful site

    I have also prayed there and I’m only 12!!!

  32. mohd shamim

    February 22, 2016 at 1:09 AM

    My any brother can me send masjid alaksa pic plz I want to history of this mosq plz

  33. Raj

    March 12, 2016 at 12:37 PM

    Brother wanjid:
    With all respect to Umar.
    On your number 6 comment.
    Umar did not free the Jews.
    Please read holly bible.
    Cyrus the Great (c. 600 or 576 – 530 BC) figures in the Hebrew Bible as the patron and deliverer of the Jews. He is mentioned 23 times by name and alluded to several times more.[1] From these statements it appears that Cyrus the Great, king of Persia, was the monarch under whom the Babylonian captivity ended, for according to the Bible, in the first year of his reign he was prompted by God to make a decree that the Temple in Jerusalem should be rebuilt and that such Jews as cared to might return to their land for this purpose. Moreover, he showed his interest in the project by sending back with them the sacred vessels which had been taken from the First Temple and a considerable sum of money with which to buy building materials. The existence of the decree has been challenged.

  34. Feresh

    March 19, 2016 at 5:30 PM

    I love this article. Every time I read about our history, I’m torn between admiration and feelings of guilt (due to the lack of knowledge). Yet history opens so many doors in our minds and most of all, helps us understand and get to know ourselves so much better. Still, it seems to be the most neglected part of our quest for knowledge (at least here in Germany, which is one reason why I do believe muslimmatters should be made available to German muslims as well).
    Very inspiring, jazzakAllah khayr for contributing both as a helpful hand (job) and a thinking mind (passion), Dr. internat. Director!

  35. Masjid Al Aqsa

    April 7, 2016 at 12:52 PM

    Subhanallah Alhamdulillah Lailaha Illallahu Allahu Akbar, this is very valuable information about Masjid Al Aqsa. I was totally unaware of facts and figures of it.

  36. ibrar hashmi

    April 8, 2016 at 1:34 PM

    SubhanAllah, JazzakAllah khair. This is very great job for the knowledge of Muslim um-ma. Please be careful in giving any such statement that should be supported with confirm evidence.

  37. Snober

    May 4, 2016 at 6:48 PM

    Subhan’Allah Jazak’Allah

  38. Abdul Mustafa

    May 13, 2016 at 12:49 PM

    Very informative article
    Jazak Allah
    but what is the current status over there
    do muslims pray there peacefully ???

  39. Nicky

    May 24, 2016 at 3:38 AM

    Tear it down. Restore the jewish temple. The alaqsa is originaly a church. Restore that one too.

    • Abdullah

      June 20, 2016 at 1:52 PM

      InshaAllah, Allah will liberate Al Aqsa once again in our life times and we will have the ability to pray in it, outside of occupation. Ameen ya Rabb’ul Aalimeen. As for you Nicky, for non-Zionist Jews, having the compound controlled by Muslims is a blessing for true Jews too. The state of affairs today is not just impacting the Muslims, the Christians and Jews are feeling the effects of the occupation albeit to a lesser extent. You would be fooled to think Al Aqsa and Palestine will not be liberated again. History only repeats itself. Until the next Umar RA or Salahuddin Ayubi awakens, good luck with whatever it is you think will happen.

    • chanah

      November 12, 2016 at 2:18 PM

      I agree with tear down the al aqsa and rebuildt the Temple and also if the al aqsa was a church then restore it

  40. Pingback: More problems in the 6th edition of Macmillan geography textbook (Petra Marquardt-Bigman) – 24/6 Magazine

  41. Micha Berger

    September 13, 2016 at 2:57 PM

    In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful.
    Glory be to Him, Who transported His Servant one night from the Masjid-i-Haram to the distant Temple, whose surroundings We have blessed, so that we might show him some of Our Sings: the fact is that He alone is All-Hearing and All-Seeing.
    Before this We had given the Book to Moses and made it a means of guidance for the Israelites with this Command: “Do not make .any other guardian than Myself. You are the descendants of those whom We bore in the Ark with Noah, and he was truly a grateful servant”. Besides this, We forewarned the Israelites in the Scriptures: You will work great mischief twice in the land and will become overbearingly arrogant. When the occasion of the first of the two mischiefs came, O Israelites, We raised against you such of Our servants who were very mighty and formidable; so they penetrated through all parts of your country. This was a warning that was bound to be fulfilled. Then after this We afforded you an opportunity to over-power them and helped you with abundance of riches and children and increased you far more in numbers than before. Behold! If you did good it proved to be good for yourselves and if you committed evil it proved to be bad for your own selves. Then, when the time came for the fulfillment of the second warning, We set other enemies on you so that they might disfigure your faces and enter into the Temple just as the former enemies had entered and destroyed whatever they could lay their hands on. Now again your Lord may show compassion on you; but if you again repeat your former behavior; We will again visit you with. Our punishment, for We have prepared Hell to serve as a prison-house for the ungrateful people.

    Al Aqa must be the Jews’ Temple Mount, it says so in Surah Al Isra / Surah Bani Israil. To deny the Jewish claim is to deny your own.

  42. Java

    September 17, 2016 at 11:23 AM

    In the name of Allah The Beneficient the most Merciful, after reading all the above articles especially from the non-muslims, who are quoting from the Muslim holy scriptures , The prophecies yet to be fulfilled will make clear of who are what, The Jews themselves are planting the garkhad tree by the thousands for its protection as its been prophecised that they will seek refuge behind these trees (but it wont help them), They dont even know that the Messiah they are awaiting is the Ant- Christ (Dajall), And it will be The Muslim Messiah who will end the rule of the Antichrist to bring peace in the world by killing the false Messiah. Yes Muslims are today inflicted with lots of problems by the West, even this has been prophecised (Muslims will be great in numbers but as weak as the ocean froth)We are at that stage today.So I say to my Muslim brothers and sisters that may Allah keep steadfast in Imaan, Remain good and strive to be a better human being and let Allah and his Will come to pass, for our peace lies in the fulfillment of propheciesm because anything that has been uttered from the lips of my Prophet (peace be upon him) has to happen. So Sabar is our only hope and remain good to each other and to mankind in general.Please bear in mind that the emmergence of the Antichrist is in the last stages according to world events and fulfilled prophecies, We seek refuge in Allah from the era of fitna .from the King if Fitna and from the Followers of the Fitna.

  43. missmuslimah9

    December 27, 2016 at 7:40 PM

  44. VJay

    January 4, 2017 at 11:43 AM

    Al-Baqarah 2:122 O Children of Israel remember My favor I bestowed upon you and that I preferred you over the worlds.
    Abdullah bin Amr reported that the messenger of Allah said: “There will come a calamity which will wipe out the Arabs. Their slain will be in hell. The tongue will be more severe in this than the blow of the sword.” (Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah)

  45. Samer

    May 18, 2017 at 4:38 AM

    Salam Brothers,
    I read someplace that the guy who set the holy masgid on fire was fanatic christian, not zionist jew, is it true?

    Thanks Samer

  46. Abdul

    August 11, 2018 at 10:20 AM

    Jazakumullahu khair for your good work in putting this info togrther. Very sad that i sit here and watch as the jews kill and destroy palestine from exsistance. All the thousand year old zeytoun olive trees, salahuddines building, his history, his armys sacrifices all the muslims sacrifices just to get the holy land back, all muslim graves are being dug up and deleted. When will we stand up to represent islam. If we dont we will regret it. Dont wait until alaqsa is destroyed prepare yourself before its too late

  47. sobia

    August 14, 2019 at 10:01 AM

    I wish somebody to answer my confusion there. I guess Mosque or building or a structure is not significant. The real Sacred is the place and the Stone or Qibla-Awal. Masjid Aqsa is mentioned in Quran Al-Isra. That is proof that Aqsa exists before Hazrat Umer conquered and said a prayer there or somebody physically created a mosque.
    Now my confusion is why both Jews and Muslims cant say a prayer at this holy place. Why dome of rock or qibli mosque is necessary there. The holy land can be divided in terms of prayer and both can pray facing their kiblah and say prayer there. Muslims can call the land Masjid Aqsa while jews can call the temple mount. Name cant take important of the land.

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