The History of Al-Aqsa
Sallahu 'ala Muhammad, ya Rabbi salli 'alaihi wa sallim
May Allah shower His blessings upon Muhammad, O my Lord, bless him and grant him eternal peace
Al-Masjid El-Aqsa is an Arabic name which means the Farthest Mosque. To understand its name, and its importance, it must be remembered that the roots of Islam began in the Arabian Peninsula (Saudi Arabia today).
Ten years after the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) received his first revelation, he made a miraculous night journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and to the Seven Heavens on a white flying horse called Al-Buraq El-Sharif. During his interval in Jerusalem, the Prophet stopped to pray at the rock (now covered by the golden Dome), and was given the commandment to pray five times a day.
Today, Muslims throughout the World use Mecca as the direction of prayers (Qibla). However, for 16½ months following the Prophet Mohammad's miraculous journey, Jerusalem was the Qibla.
During Prophet Mohammad's life (pbuh), he instructed Muslims to visit not only the mosque where they lived in Mecca, but also the 'Farthest mosque' from them which lay 2000 kilometers north, in Jerusalem. Hence the name Al-Masjid El-Aqsa, or Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Al-Aqsa Mosque is the second oldest mosque in Islam after the Ka'ba in Mecca, and is third in holiness and importance after the mosques in Mecca and Medina.
The rectangular Al-Aqsa Mosque is 144,000 square meters, 35 acres, or 1/6 of the entire area within the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem as it stands today. It is also called Al-Haram El-Sharif (the Nobel Sanctuary). The Dome of the Chain marks the exact central point of this Mosque.
Al-Aqsa Mosque holds up to 400,000 worshippers at one time, bearing in mind that the space required for each person is roughly 0.8m x 0.5m to enable the submissive kneeling in prayer. On Fridays at noon, during the fasting month of Ramadan, and particularly the 27th of Ramadan (Lailat El-Qadr), the area is filled to virtual capacity.
Al-Aqsa Mosque, Jerusalem
Indications of any Muslim mosque the World over is the thin spiral minaret which always immediately adjoins the Mosque wall. Minarets are used to call Muslims to prayer five times a day, seven days a week throughout the year. At Al-Aqsa Mosque, there are four minarets: 3 square and 1 cylindrical from the Mamluk period.
There are no minarets on the Eastern side of Al-Aqsa Mosque because there were no inhabitants and thus no-one to call to prayer. After all, it was not till the late nineteenth century that Jerusalem began to expand outside the city walls.
Al-Aqsa is made up of 3 parts, narrow arcades run along one end, a huge atrium and a covered area at the south.
Running alongside the arcades are several family burial sites (maqamat). These persons contributed to the schools and charities in the vicinity of the Mosque run by the Supreme Muslim Council.
The atrium of Al-Aqsa Mosque is an oasis of peace and tranquillity inside a walled city of hustle and bustle. It has trees, lawns, fountains, the beautiful Shrine of the Dome of the Rock, small domed rooms and structures which are rooms for scholars, sheikhs and religious court offices, and a museum.
Before Muslims pray, they are required to go through a ritual ablution. There are manuablution areas, but the Cup is one of the oldest and most photographed fountains on the Mosque grounds.
In the center of the southern end of the atrium is the covered area of Al-Aqsa Mosque. The Mihrab (niche showing direction of prayer) of the Mosque is located here. Al-Aqsa building (recognizable by its lead dome), was originally built nearly 1300 years ago by Muslim Caliph Al-Walid the son of AbdulMalek bin Marwan in 709 AD (the same Al-Walid who occupied Spain and made it Andalusia).
Throughout its history, Al-Aqsa was subject to successive restoration work due to damages caused by earthquakes, etc. The building now has the central nave and 6 aisles (the original covered area had 14 aisles).
The covered area of Al-Aqsa Mosque is a very simple, but large and imposing, rectangular structure. It has an area of 3500 square meters, and holds up to 5000 Muslims at prayer at one time. The Qibla facing south towards Mecca and the Rock within the Dome of the Rock are on the same central line.
There are 7 large gates to enter the Mosque's covered area, as well as 1 single door on both the eastern and western sides. There are over 100 clear and colored glass windows, 14 Arches, 27 Italian Marble columns on the eastern side, and the equivalent number of stone piers on the western side.
The outer dome was covered with Lead in 1985 replacing the Aluminum dome of 1964 in order to restore it to its original cover.
The inner dome, decorated with stucco work, dates back to the 13th century.
In accordance with Muslim tradition, men and women are permitted to pray within the covered area but in different sections, 3 times a day. The remaining two daily prayers as well as Friday noon prayers, Al-Aqsa is for men only. The covered part of Al-Aqsa Mosque was converted to a Knight's Hostel in part, and Chapel in part during the Crusader period. Restoration of Islamic atmosphere was done by Salahuddin Al-Ayyoubi.
In 1969, after 2 years of Israeli occupation, a fanatic Jew set fire to the covered area for the first time in its history. Repairing the damage from the fire still continues. Among the numerous sad losses was the beautiful handmade pulpit from Aleppo. It was a gift from Salahuddin Al-Ayyoubi and stood near the Mihrab (niche) in Al-Aqsa Mosque. This Pulpit, considered one of the most beautiful in the World, was made of over 10,000 interlocking pieces of Cedar and other wood, Ivory and mother of pearl affixed without a drop of glue or a single nail. A remaining section of this Pulpit is among the various artifacts on display at the Islamic Museum, in the southern corner of the Noble Sanctuary.
The restoration of the subterranean Marwani Musallah (praying place) was completed in 1996. It is 4000 square meters, and was tiled in a brief 2 months entirely by volunteers. The Marwani Musallah is mistakenly believed by some to be the site of King Solomon's stables, however its construction is actually entirely 8th century Umayyad.
In the middle of the 19th century Al-Aqsa Mosque was opened for Non-Muslim visitors. For Non-Muslims, the Mosque is open during fixed times on weekday mornings and afternoons on payment of an entrance fees. The Mosque is closed to Non-Muslims on Fridays throughout the year and all Muslim holidays.
Although in the past, everyone entered Al-Aqsa Mosque without shoes, now Muslims and tourists alike are permitted to enter Al-Aqsa with shoes. Shoes however, have to be removed to enter the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa's enclosed area as a sign of cleanliness and respect. Cameras likewise, are permitted in Al-Aqsa Mosque, but not inside any building. Visitors should ensure they are modestly dressed with arms and legs covered. Ladies should have a scarf to cover their hair. While on holy ground, intimate or personal contact must be avoided.
This is a hadïth of the Rasülulläh (Sal.) about Islam:
Brothers in Islam! You who are Ïmän-Isläm! You must not see differences between yourselves and your neighbors. You must not discriminate against any religion. You must not oppress or harm any man, no matter what religion or race he may be. Islam is one and Allah is one; just as we in Islam see Allah as one, we must see all mankind as one.
All the prophets brought the words of Allah, and all the words they brought are true. Allah sent His messages through each of the prophets, and they brought His commandments step by step. In the revelations contained in the Qur’an, Allah has given the entirety of His teaching. The Qur’an is the ultimate and final teaching, showing everything in its fullness.
All the children of Adam (A.S.) are brothers and sisters. They are not different. Although they may stand on different steps of the teachings brought by the prophets in their respective times, you must not discriminate against any of them. You must not harass their places of worship, their bodies, or their hearts. You must protect them as you would protect your own life.
To comfort the hunger of your neighbor, no matter who he is or what religion he belongs to, that is Islam. When someone dies, to join together and give him a decent burial, that is Islam. To realize the pain and suffering of others and offer your hands in assistance, helping to alleviate their suffering, that is Islam.
To see division is not Islam. To see other men as different is not Islam. In this world and the next, there must be no prejudice in our hearts, for all will come together on the Day of Reckoning and the Day of Judgment. All of us will come together in heaven. Therefore, we must not see any differences or create any divisions here. Where Allah does not see a difference, we must not see a difference. We must not despise anyone whom Allah loves—and Allah loves everyone. He belongs equally to everyone, just as Islam belongs equally to everyone. Islam is unity, not division.
Hurting another is not Islam. Failing to comfort the hunger of your neighbor is not Islam. The purity of Islam is to avoid hurting others; you must regard others as you regard yourself. You must accept Allah’s word totally. There must be no discrimination in your heart against the children of Islam.
You who are Islam must understand what is haläl and what is haräm, what is permissible and what is forbidden. You must understand that there is only One worthy of worship. You must understand Qiyämah, the Day of Reckoning, and the Day of Judgment.
To understand this world and the next world is Islam. Because Islam is the wealth of grace, you must use that grace to wash and comfort the hearts of others. To truly understand this and see all lives as your own life, without any differences, is the way of Islam. To see your neighbor as yourself, to heal the suffering of others, to share food from the same plate in harmony and peace, to live unified in food and in prayer, in happiness and in sorrow, is the way of Islam. To live separated and divided is not Islam. You must reflect on this.
O you who have faith! Do not compare anything to Allah. Do not hold anything equal to Allah. Do not make distinctions between men; king and beggar must be equal in your sight. There must be no difference between rich and poor. No one is rejected by Islam. Islam is one. You must realize this.
This is what the Rasülulläh (Sal.) has said. He has given countless ahädïth with his divine lips of grace, from the flower of his divine mouth, his mouth of faith, his mouth of Allah’s grace, and his mouth of Allah’s divine knowledge.
O you who have received the wealth of faith! May you understand and act with the clarity of these teachings.
Chapels and Temples, Churches and Mosques
All three religions surround, the Dome of the Rock
In any direction a man can walk
Is he more then his words when he talks his talk?
Allah is not forgetful, God is not remiss
All faiths brought together, In one Holy place.
It’s mine, it’s mine, it’s mine, they all holler
And the unrest goes on, through soldiers and scholar.
Have you not backed up,
To make the big picture clear
God has brought all three religions right here!
All for one, and one for all
Does your arrogance make you deaf
From hearing His call
The Muslim to prayer, The Jew to their Wall
The Church bell that rings, There’s space for us all
If you think of hate, and “it all should be mine”
Then you have not seen clearly, That God is Divine
He brought us all here, not one but all three
To open our hearts, to make our eyes see.
One God for us all, so now teach your son
Love God with your heart, not with your gun.
Oh God please forgive us, our intention was good,
But it seems for some, your message is misunderstood.
So take your lesson for Jerusalem now, And spread the word for town to town,
Salaams, Shalom, may God’s peace be with you,
We are all Abraham’s children, Christen, Muslim, and Jew.
No one said it would be easy, but God told us to try
For God loves effort, you can not deny!
So love your neighbor, and share if you can,
and remember never judge, your fellow-man.
You can not do Allah’s work, if you think that you can, your practicing shirk.
If you could only back up to make the big picture clear
You’ll see that God brought all 3 of us here.
All for one, and one for all,
choosing to be deaf, will not stop His call.
The Muslim to prayer, the Jew to their Wall, the Church bell that rings,
There’s room for us all.
There is no god worthy of worship except
God and Muhammad is His messenger. This declaration of faith is called the Shahada, a simple formula which all the faithful pronounce.
In Arabic, the first part is la ilahaillaLlah - 'there is no god except
God'; ilaha (god) can refer to anything which we may
be tempted to put in place of God - wealth, power, and the like. Then comesillaLlah:
'except God', the source of all Creation. The second part of the Shahada is Muhammadunrasulu'Llah: 'Muhammad is the messenger of God.' A message
of guidance has come through a man like us.
Salat is the name for the obligatory
prayers which are performed five times a day, and are a direct link between the
worshipper and God. There is no hierarchical authority in Islam, and no
priests, so the prayers are led by a learned person who knows the Quran, chosen
by the congregation. These five prayers contain verses from the Quran, and are
said in Arabic, the language of the Revelation, but personal supplication can be
offered in one's own language.
Prayers are said at dawn, noon,
mid-afternoon, sunset and nightfall, and thus determine the rhythm of the
entire day. Although it is preferable to worship together in a mosque, a Muslim
may pray almost anywhere, such as in fields, offices, factories and
universities. Visitors to the Muslim world are struck by the centrality of
prayers in daily life.
One of the most important principles of
Islam is that all things belong to God, and that wealth is therefore held by human
beings in trust. The word zakat means both
'purification' and 'growth'. Our possessions are purified by setting aside a
proportion for those in need, and, like the pruning of plants, this cutting
back balances and encourages new growth.
Each Muslim calculates his or her own zakat individually. For most purposes this involves the
payment each year of two and a half percent of one's capital.
A pious person may also give
as much as he or she pleases as sadaqa, and does so preferably in secret. Although
this word can be translated as 'voluntary charity' it has a wider meaning. The
Prophet said 'even meeting your brother with a cheerful face is charity.'
The Prophet said: 'Charity is a necessity
for every Muslim. ' He was asked: 'What if a person has
nothing?' The Prophet replied: 'He should work with his own hands for his
benefit and then give something out of such earnings in charity.' The
Companions asked: 'What if he is not able to work?' The Prophet said: 'He
should help poor and needy persons.' The Companions further asked 'What if he
cannot do even that?' The Prophet said 'He should urge others to do good.' The Companions said 'What if he lacks that also?' The
Prophet said 'He should check himself from doing evil. That is also charity.'
Every
year in the month of Ramadan all Muslims fast from first light until sundown,
abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations. Those who are sick, elderly,
or on a journey, and women who are pregnant or nursing are permitted to break
the fast and make up an equal number of days later in the year. If they are
physically unable to do this, they must feed a needy person for every day
missed. Children begin to fast (and to observe the prayer) from puberty,
although many start earlier.
Although the fast is most beneficial to
the health, it is regarded principally as a method of self purification. By
cutting oneself off from worldly comforts, even for a short time, a fasting
person gains true sympathy with those who go hungry as well as growth in one's
spiritual life.
The annual pilgrimage to Mecca
- the Hajj - is an obligation only for those who are physically and financially
able to perform it. Nevertheless, about two million people go to Mecca each year from
every corner of the globe providing a unique opportunity for those of different
nations to meet one another. Although Mecca
is always filled with visitors, the annual Hajj begins in the twelfth month of
the Islamic year (which is lunar, not solar, so that Hajj and Ramadan fall
sometimes in summer, sometimes in winter). Pilgrims wear special clothes:
simple garments which strip away distinctions of class and culture, so that all
stand equal before God.
The rites of the Hajj, which are of Abrahamic origin, include circling the Ka'ba
seven times, and going seven times between the mountains of Safa
and Marwa as did Hagar during her search for water.
Then the pilgrims stand together on the wide plain of Arafa
and join in prayers for God's forgiveness, in what is often thought of as a
preview of the Last Judgment.
In previous centuries the Hajj
was an arduous undertaking. Today, however, Saudi Arabia provides millions of
people with water, modern transport, and the most up-to-date health facilities.
The close of the Hajj is marked by a festival,
the Eid al-Adha, which is
celebrated with prayers and the exchange of gifts in Muslim communities
everywhere. This, and the Eid al-Fitr,
a feast-day commemorating the end of Ramadan, are the main festivals of the
Muslim calendar.
Al-Masjid El-Aqsa is an Arabic name which means the Farthest Mosque. To understand its name, and its importance, it must be remembered that the roots of Islam began in the Arabian Peninsula (Saudi Arabia today).
Al-Aqsa Mosque, Jerusalem
