When the Prophet Muhammad SAW visited Masjid al Aqsa during al Isra, there were no complete buildings inside the Masjid al Aqsa Sanctuary – in fact the precinct was badly kept and mostly in ruins. Nonetheless, by virtue of the land itself being blessed, the Prophet SAW exhorted towards the upkeep and development of the site. All of the virtues narrated by the Messenger SAW about Masjid al Aqsa were in fact enumerated whilst Masjid al Aqsa and the land surrounding it were still far from Muslim dominion.
The Prophet SAW took incremental and strategic steps, even during his own lifetime, towards the liberation of Masjid al Aqsa. An important event in this regard were the inroads into Shaam made during the Battle of Tabuk.
He SAW foretold of the liberation of al Quds, and even informed his companions of roles they would take up there, thereby strengthening their affiliation with the Holy Land.
Sayyidina Shadad Ibn Aws RA reports that the Prophet (saw) said, “Shaam will be conquered and Al-Quds (Jerusalem) will be conquered and you or your sons will be Imams there, if Allah will” [Tabarani]
The Sahabah RA had total conviction in this promise of Nabi Muhammad SAW, even though they were – at the time these prophecies were being made – still not dominant, even in Arabia. Sayyidina Tamim al Dari RA once asked the Prophet SAW to grant him an area around al Khalil(Hebron) once the Muslims liberated Palestine. The Prophet SAW signed a document granting Tamim an area around al Khalil as waqf, with the condition that this land could not be sold to anyone.
The Messenger of Allah SAW specified Masjid al Aqsa as being only one of a select trio of mosques, one is permitted to set off on journey towards for the sole purpose of prayer.
Sayyidina Abu Hurairah RA narrates: “The Messenger of Allah SAW said: ‘Do not deliberately set out on a journey[for the purpose of worship] but to three mosques: the Masjid al Haram[in Makkah], al Masjid al Aqsa[in Jerusalem], and my Masjid[in Madinah]’”(Bukhari)
The Messenger of Allah SAW also expressed a sincere desire that prayers performed there will erase all a believer’s sins.
Sayyidina Abdullah ibn Amr RA narrates that the Prophet SAW said: “Sulaymaan, son of Dawood [AS] prayed for three things from Allah, the Mighty and Glorious, when constructing Masjid al Aqsa: (i) the ability to decide cases in accordance to the Will of Allah, which was granted to him; (ii) a kingdom the like of which would be given to no one after him, which was also granted; and (iii), after finishing the construction of the masjid he prayed, ‘May anyone who comes to this mosque solely for the purpose of praying in it be delivered from all his sins as on the day his mother gave birth to him’” (Nasa’i)
Another version of this hadith includes this following: “The Prophet SAW said, “The[first] two prayers were granted, and I hope the third was granted as well’” (Ibn Majah)
It is also noteworthy that the Prophet SAW mentioned Masjid al Aqsa, second to none, with reference to contributing charitably towards its upkeep. No other similar recommendation has been made for any other Masjid.
Sayyidatina Maymuna RA – the wife of the Prophet SAW – reported: I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah[SAW], tell us about Jerusalem’. He said: ‘It is the place of Judgement Day where everyone will be called. Come and pray in it, for one prayer in it is like one thousand prayers elsewhere’. ‘What is one cannot go there?’I asked. He replied, ‘Send oil for its lamps; for whoever does so, it is as if they went there’” (Ibn Majah)
Maintaining a link between Masjid al Aqsa and Masjid al Haraam in Makkah, despite their geographical separation, the Prophet SAW enumerated the virtues of performing Hajj/Umrah via the farthest Masjid.
Sayyidah Umm Salama RA relates that she heard the Prophet SAW say: “If anyone dons Ihram for Hajj or Umrah from Masjid al Aqsa and then proceeds to Masjid al Haram, his previous sins will be forgiven” (Ahmad)
The honour the Prophet Muhammad SAW attached to Shaam can also be evidenced through the glowing terms he used to describe the region and its people.
Sayyidina Zayd ibn Thabit RA reports that the Prophet SAW said, “How blessed is Shaam!” The companions around them asked: “Why is that?” The Messenger SAW replied, “I see the angels of the Most Merciful spreading their wings over it” (Tirmidhi and Imam Ahmad)
Sayyidina Abu Umamah RA reports that the Messenger of Allah SAW said, “The chosen land of Allah is al-Sham. He has therein his chosen creation and servants. Most definitely, a large group from my Ummah will enter Paradise without having to give reckoning or experiencing any form of punishment.” (Al-Tabarani)
Sayyidina Abu Darda’ RA related that the Messenger of Allah SAW said, “From al-Sham to the furthest point of Upper Mesopotamia, the inhabitants therein, along with their wives, children and servants (men and women), are in a state of ribat (guarding the Muslim frontier) in the path of Allah. Whoever occupies any land therein is in ribat. Whoever occupies any frontier therein from the many frontiers is in Jihad.” (Ibn ‘Asakir)
Abu Umamah al-Bahili RA reports that the Prophet SAW said, “A group of my Ummah will remain on truth, they will vanquish their enemy and those who disagree with them will not be able to harm them until Allah SWT Commands.” “Where are these people?” The companions asked. The
Prophet SAW replied, “In Bayt al-Maqdis (Jerusalem).” (Al-Tabarani)
Sayyidina ‘Abdullah ibn Hawalah RA reports that he said, “O Messenger of Allah, choose for me a place where I should be, for if I were to know that you are staying I would not have chosen any place over you.” He SAW said three times, “You must go to al-Sham.” When He SAW noticed Ibn Hawalah’s indifference towards it, he said, “Do you know what Allah says about al-Sham? Allah said, ‘O Sham! You are the quintessence of My lands (safwati min biladi) and I shall inhabit you with the chosen ones among My servants.’” (Al-Tabarani)
As can be seen in the above Hadith(amongst others), the Prophet SAW, often exhorted towards migration and settling in Shaam, referring to it as a place of safety in times of sedition.
Sayyidina Abdullah Ibn Amr RA reports that the Prophet (saw) repeated the following statement three times: “When the dissension takes place belief shall be in Al-Sham”. One version of hadith states, “safety will be in Al-Sham”[Tabarani]
The Prophet SAW also reserved prayers specifically for the people of Shaam.
Sayyidina Abdullah ibn Umar RA reports that the Prophet SAW said: “O Allah! Bestow your Blessings on Our Shaam! O Allah! Bestow your Blessings on our Yemen”. The people said, “And also on our Najd”. He said, “O Allah! Bestow your Blessings on Our Shaam! O Allah! Bestow your Blessings on our Yemen”. The people said, “O Allah’s Apostle! And also on our Najd”. I think the third time the Prophet SAW said, “There(in Najd) is the place of earthquakes and afflictions and from there comes out the side of the head of Satan”(Bukhari)
Sayyidina Anas ibn Malik RA reports that the Prophet SAW looked towards Iraq, Shaam and Yemen, then said, “O Allah! Bring their hearts over to Your Obedience and relieve them of their burdens”(Tirmidhi)
The Prophet SAW always held dear the memories of the Isra, described the marvels of his journey to his companions and would also recite verses mentioning Masjid al Aqsa often.
Sayyidina Abdullah Ibn Hawwala RA reports that the Prophet (saw) said, “I saw on the night of Al-Isra and Al-Miraj (the Night Journey) a white column resembling a pearl which the Angels were carrying . I asked them, “What are you carrying”? They said, “The Column of the Book, we have been ordered to place it in Al-Shaam. Later in my sleep, I saw the Column of the Book being taken away from under my headrest. I began to fear lest Allah the Almighty had abandoned the people of the earth. My eyes followed the Column of the Book. It was a brilliant light in front of me. Then I saw it was placed in Al-Shaam (Tabarani)
Sayyidia Aishah RA reports that the Prophet (saw) used to recite Surah Al-Isra every night in his prayer: Glorified (and Exalted) be He (Allah) Who took His slave (Muhammad SAW) 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 SAW) of Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, lessons, signs, etc.). Verily, He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer. (17:1)
This section details the various connections between the Prophet Muhammad SAW and the blessed land of Shaam, Palestine and Al Quds. Battles
