Masjid Al Aqsa: Lesson 21 @Masjid Al Falaah - TGFC (The Great Fajr Campaign)

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT MASJID AL-AQSA? (LESSON 21)

Delivered by Mufti Adam Esmail at Masjid al Falaah on Sunday 5th November 2023

ISLAMIC HISTORY PART 1

Byzantine/Persian Occupation - The Era of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

Muhammad ﷺ faces the direction of The Blessed Masjid Al-Aqsa
From the onset of his prophetic mission in 610 AD, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ faced the blessed Masjid Al-Aqsa during prayer, adopting it as his qibla. This practice began before the establishment of the five daily prayers and was among the initial instructions in Islam concerning prayer.

The Romans will be defeated
In the Quranic Surah Al-Rum, Allah disclosed to the Prophet ﷺ: "The Romans have been defeated in the lowest part of the earth, but after their defeat, they will soon be victorious. Within a few years, the decision before and after is for Allah, and that day the believers will rejoice with the help of Allah. He helps whom He wills, and He is the Almighty, the Most Merciful." (30:2-5)

These verses refer to the conflict where the Persians, aided by Jewish alliances, overran Jerusalem in 614 AD, leading to the destruction of churches and the massacre of its people. However, in less than a decade, the Byzantines triumphed over the Persians in Armenia (624 AD) and reclaimed Jerusalem in 627 AD through a peace treaty with the Persians.

The significance of Masjid Al-Aqsa highlighted through Al-Isra and Al-Miraj
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ endured great suffering from the injustices of the Makkan polytheists, further compounded by his experiences in Taif and the grief of losing his wife, Sayyidah Khadija رضي الله عنها, and his uncle, Abu Talib. Allah granted him solace through the miraculous journey of Isra and Mi’raj, where he travelled by night from Makkah's Masjid Al-Haraam to the blessed Masjid Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem, and then ascended to the heavens. The Isra signified the transfer of prophetic authority to Muhammad ﷺ, affirming his role as the leader of the Islamic ummah.

Masjid Al-Aqsa, as the site of this significant event, holds a special place in Islam, warranting reflection on its importance.

Rasulullah ﷺ takes practical steps towards the conquest of Jerusalem
Upon securing the region around Makkah, the Prophet ﷺ set his sights on the Levant, with a particular focus on Masjid Al-Aqsa. He sent emissaries to various leaders, including a message to Heraclius, the Byzantine Emperor. Notably, Heraclius was on a pilgrimage in Jerusalem after his victory against the Persians when he received the Prophet's message, as recorded by Al-Bukhari.

Troops of the Messenger ﷺ to the Levant
The Prophet ﷺ initiated the steps towards Jerusalem's conquest with military expeditions, starting with Zaid bin Haritha's campaign to Hisma in the year 5 AH following the Battle of the Trench. The subsequent formation of the Mu’tah army marked the Muslim focus on the Levantine region.

Prophetic glad tidings regarding the conquest of Jerusalem
After consolidating his position in Makkah, the Prophet ﷺ directed his efforts towards the Levant and Masjid Al-Aqsa. He prophesied the conquest of Jerusalem during the Battle of Tabuk, as Awf bin Malik reported in a hadith documented by Al-Bukhari. Upon his return from Tabuk, the Prophet’s ﷺ death neared, and during his final illness, he made preparations for Osama bin Zaid's army to advance towards the Levant, stressing the importance of this mission.

Following the Prophet’s ﷺ death, Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq promptly dispatched the army towards the Holy Land, continuing the fulfilment of the prophetic vision.