We decided to seek the answer to the question, “Why is Jerusalem important to Muslims?” primarily in our primary references, the Quran and the Sunnah. During our research, we found that there are dozens of verses and hadiths that directly or indirectly point to the sanctity of Jerusalem. In our previous news, we discussed five verses that express that Jerusalem and the surrounding lands are fertile and sacred . In this news, we have brought together for you five hadiths that point to the importance of Jerusalem in the eyes of Muslims.
The Candles of Jerusalem
Hazrat Maymunah, one of the mothers of the believers, narrates:
I asked, “O Messenger of Allah! What do you advise us about going to Bayt al-Maqdis or not?”
The Messenger of Allah (saw) said: “It is the place where the resurrection and the resurrection will take place. Go and pray there! Because one prayer performed there is like a thousand prayers performed elsewhere.”
I said, “What if I can’t find the opportunity to go there?”
Thereupon, the Prophet said: “Send olive oil (fuel) as a gift to light their lamps. Whoever does this will be considered as having gone there and prayed .”
Even though Jerusalem went through various hardships from time to time after it was conquered during the reign of Hz. Omar, the lamps of civilization continued to shine there on various occasions. There are countless beautiful examples of this.
For example, during the Ottoman period, based on this hadith, a well was built in the Al-Aqsa Mosque to hold olive oil. And for about 450 years – until the end of the 1990s – visitors to Jerusalem brought oil to this well. The olive oil brought was stored in this well to light the lamps of the mosque.
The lamps of Jerusalem
On the other hand, we can also think of “olive oil” as a metaphor. A smile on the face of children running through the streets of Jerusalem, a hand patting the back of Muslims who stand guard at the Al-Aqsa Mosque day and night, a heartfelt prayer, or anything you do to light the lamps of hope and happiness there can be the olive oil you send.
Three Holy Mosques
Abu Hurairah (ra) narrated from the Prophet (saw) that:
“ Only three mosques can be traveled to (for worship): This mosque of mine, the Masjid an-Nabawi, the Masjid al-Haram and the Masjid al-Aqsa. 2
Prophet Solomon’s Prayer
Abdullah b. Amr (ra) narrated from the Prophet (pbuh):
“ When Prophet David’s son Solomon (pbuh) completed the building of the Masjid al-Bayt, he asked Allah Almighty for three things :
“The power to make a decision in accordance with the divine decree;
A property and sultanate that will not be granted to anyone after him;
“The sins of the person who comes to Masjid al-Aqsa to pray are forgiven as if he were born on the day his mother gave birth.”
The first two things that Solomon (pbuh) wished for were granted to him. I hope that his third wish will also be granted to him.” 3
Community on Right
Abu Umama (ra) narrated that the Prophet (saw) said:
“ A group from my Ummah will always be on the right path and will definitely prevail over their enemies. The opposition of the opposers will not harm them, except when they are in severe financial difficulties, until the command of Allah comes.”
They asked, “O Messenger of Allah! Where are they?”
He said: “They are in the Temple Mount and around the Temple Mount.” 4
Al-Aqsa Mosque: A Place That Provides Relief to Those in Need
Zi’l-Esâbi’ Sevban b. Yemred (ra) said:
O Messenger of Allah! If we are to stay behind and fall into trouble, where will you order us to go?”
Our Prophet (saw) said: “I advise you to go to Bayt al-Maqdis. It is hoped that Allah will give you generations to come who go to the mosque there. ”
With the prayer of meeting in the free and glorious Al-Aqsa Mosque where we will find relief.
Resources
- Ibn Majah, Iqama, 196
- Muslim, Hajj, 511
- Ibn Majah, Iqama, 196
- Ahmed b. Hanbal, Musnad, 36/657, no: 22320
- Ahmed b. Hanbal, Musnad, 27/190, no: 16632; Ibn Sa’d, VII. 296