Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, where the Kaaba is located, and in Medina, the Masjid an-Nabawi, which also includes the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be up on him), is the holiest mosques in Islam. The third mosque, which is considered the most important after these two mosques is Masjid al-Aqsa in Jerusalem. The Quran states that Masjid al-Aqsa and its surroundings are blessed.[1]
In Surah Al-Isra it has been reported that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was brought from Masjid al-Haram to Masjid al-Aqsa and appeared before Allah. In addition, Masjid al-Aqsa was the first qibla (the place where Muslims turn for prayer) before Kaaba. For this reason, Masjid al-Aqsa has a special and important place for Muslims.
Another name of Masjid al-Aqsa is “Beytulmakdis” which means the holy house. This name was later used for the entire city. The prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said that Masjid al-Aqsa is the second oldest temple after Masjid al-Haram, built for people to worship in it.[2]
Masjid al-Aqsa is not a single mosque. It refers to an area of 144 thousand square meters where 400,000 people can pray at the same time, including the Dome of the Rock and the Qibla Masjid. However, the Qibla Masjid, which is commonly located at the southeast end of this place, was called Masjid al-Aqsa.
According to historical sources, the prophet Dawud (PBUH) planned the location of Masjid al-Aqsa, but he could not build it. Then his son, prophet Suleyman (PBUH) had built the Masjid al-Aqsa. It is stated in the verses of the Quran that jinn and humans participated in its construction.[3] It has been destroyed many times over the years, looted and demolished and rebuilt.
It is stated in the Quran that many prophets lived or were there for a while in Jerusalem and Palestine, where the Masjid al-Aqsa is located. Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) and prophet Lut (PBUH) [4], prophet Dawud (PBUH) and prophet Suleyman (PBUH) [5], prophet Zakariya (PBUH), prophet Isa (PBUH) and his mother Maryam [6] and finally the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) [7] are some of the names reported to have gone to Palestine.
Palestine and Masjid al-Aqsa in the eyes of Muslims; It is very valuable in that it is both the land of the prophets and the place where the first qibla and isra event [8] took place.
[1] Al-Isra,1
[2] Sahih Al- Bukhari, “Prophets”, 10,40 ; Sahih Muslim, “The Book Of Mosques”, 1-2
[3] Saba, 12-13
[4] AL-Anbya, 71
[5] Al-Anbya, 81
[6] Ali-Imran, 37
[7] Al-Isra, 1
[8] Look “Miraç”