M. Ausaif Alam Khan
Introduction:
Step into a world where history intertwines with faith,where the echoes of centuries past resonate through magnificent architecture. In the heart of Jerusalem two iconic structures stand tall,each holding its own sacred significance, i.e;Al-Aqsa Mosque and Qubbat Al-Sakhra also known as Dome of the Rock for which the nation’s of three different religions have been fighting throughout history in which all of these three religions conquered Jerusalem. And till yet they are trying to conquered it! Lets move further to discuss it with reference of all religions.
Location
Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock is located in a same compound known as Al-Aqsa Compound.
Al-Aqsa Mosque is very important and respectful for muslims. It is a third most important place for muslims after Kaaba and Masjid Al-Nabwi. In reality this place is the legacy of Muslims proved by history and religion facts. According to history of Muslims which is authentic till yet that majority of Prophets went to Jerusalem. And the Al-Aqsa mosque is the Qibla-e-Awal means first direction of Prayer. But at the time of Last Prophet Muhammad PBUH. Qibla direction changes from Al-Aqsa to Kaaba according to Hadith in Sahi Bukhari. Also important for Mirraj Night describes in Holy Quran. According to Hadith in Sahi Bukhari it is mentioned that Prophet David conquered Jerusalem and made it his Capital but Allah revealed that Al-Aqsa will built by Prophet Solomon for the worship of Allah and declared it a 1st Qibla.
Christians believed that whole Jerusalem is legacy of them because in Jerusalem Jesus Christ was brought occasionally a child, preached to the poor in his adult life, crucified at the end of his life, and resurrected by God.
Jews believed that on the place of Al-Aqsa mosque there was a Solomon Temple. They believed that the first temple of Jews on Mountain of Circa (Temple Mount) was built by Prophet Solomon in 1000 B.C, only to have it torn down by 400 years later by troops commanded by the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar who sent many Jews into exile. After returning from exile Jews built Second Temple in 70 AD but around 70 CE the Romans reclaimed Jerusalem and destroyed the second temple to finish the rebellion by Jews. Roman Emperor Vespasion allowed his commander Titus to end rebellion. At the end of rebellion Romans declared that no jews would have the right to lived in Jerusalem. A new era had begun. In 313 AD when Roman Emperor Constantine issued the edict of milan, which accepted Christianity 10 years later, it had become the official religion of the Roman Empire. Then at 636 CE Romans withdrew from the whole of Syria and Jerusalem after their defeat at the Battle of Yarmouk by forces of Rashidun Caliphate.
In 1099 AD, Jerusalem was conquered by the Crusaders and its inhabitants slaughtered muslims. Later on, Saladin Ayubi crowing achievement and the most disastrous blow to the whole crusading movement, came on October 2,1187 when the city of Jerusalem Holy to muslims surrendered to Saladin’s Army after 88 years in the hands of the franks. After Saladin, Jerusalem went through various periods of rule by different powers. It was ruled by the Mamelukes, the Ottomans Empire and eventually the British Mandate. Finally on May 14th,1948 Israel founded.
Jews believes that they will build Third Temple on Al-Aqsa mosque by demolishing it. And then they will wait for their Al- Masshiea ad-Dajjal which will come and Jewish Kingdom will begin. That’s why a huge big propaganda is spreading very fast that on Internet, books and media the Al-Aqsa mosque which they are showing is not. They are showing Dome of the Rock as a name Al-Aqsa mosque instead of real Al-Aqsa. Because both are located in same compound known as Al-Aqsa compound, as I mentioned earlier.
The Dome of the Rock is the place important for Muslims, because muslims believes that the Rock commemorates the night journey of Last Prophet Muhammad PBUH. Dome of the Rock was later built from 685-691 by fifth Caliph Abdul Malik Ibn Marwan of Umayyad Caliphate.
Now according to Quran and Hadith, Al-Aqsa is very important. From History, Religion Facts it is proved that Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa is actually the legacy of muslims. This mosque is mentioned in the Chapter of Safar Mirraj in the Holy Quran. In Sahih Bukhari Hadith it is mentioned that Prophet Muhammad PBUH told us before about this issue. To say Al-Aqsa Mosque as a Solomon Temple is wrong without any facts and reference’s.
As a Muslim we should stand united, protecting Al-Aqsa and Jerusalem, as our Sacred site Ignited.
The writer can be reached at muhammadausaif1630@gmail.com
