THE BLESSED LAND - #1
“Exalted is He who took His Servant - i.e. Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) by night from Al-Masjid al-Haram to Al-Masjid al-Aqsa, the surroundings of which we have blessed, to show him Our signs. Indeed, He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing.” [Surah Al Isra – Verse 1]
THE FIRST QIBLAH OF MUSLIMS - #2
Bar’a (R) states: We prayed with the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) towards Baitul-Maqdis for sixteen or seventeen months. Then we were made to change (our direction) towards the Ka'ba. [Sahih Muslim]
TRAVELLING TO VISIT AL AQSA - #3
Abu Hurayrah (R) narrates that Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: Do not undertake a special journey to visit any Masjid, besides three (Masjids): This Masjid of mine, the Masjidul Haram (In Makkah) and the Masjid of Aqsa (Baitul Maqdis). [Sahih Bukhari]
PRAY IN AL AQSA OR SEND OIL FOR ITS LAMPS - #4
Abdullah ibn Umar (R) narrates, I asked Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), “O Apostle of Allah, tell us the legal injunction about (visiting) Baytul Maqdis (Jerusalem).” The Apostle of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “Go and pray there. If you cannot visit it and pray there, then send some oil to be used in the lamps”. [Sahih Bukhari]
THE SECOND MOST ANCIENT MASJID ON EARTH - #5
Abu Dharr (R) narrates, I asked: “O Messenger of Allah, Which was the first Masjid whose foundation was laid on the surface of the earth?” He replied, ‘Al Masjidul Haram [in Makkah].’ I then asked, ‘Which foundation was laid next?’ He said, Al Masjidul Aqsa.’ I asked, ‘What was the period between the two?’ He said, ’40 years.” [Sahih Bukhari]
THE BENEFIT OF DONNING THE IHRAM FOR ‘UMRAH FROM BAYTUL MAQDIS - #6
Ummu Salamah (radiyallahu’anha) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “One who dons the Ihram of ‘Umrah from Masjidul Aqsa, will have his past sins forgiven.” [Ibn Majah, Ibn Hibban]
REWARD OF PERFORMING HAJJ OR UMRAH FROM MASJIDUL AQSA - #7
Ummu Salamah (radiyallahu’anha) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “Whoever wears Ihram for Hajj or Umrah from Masjidul Aqsa to Masjidul Haraam, his past and future (minor) sins will be forgiven and/or Jannah will become wajib for him.” [Abu Dawood, Bayhaqi]
HUGE REWARD FOR OFFERING SALAH IN AL AQSA (multiplied by 500 times) - #8
Abud Darda (R) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “One salah in Al Masjidul Haram is better than one hundred thousand Salah elsewhere, and one Salah in my Masjid (Masjidun Nabawi) is better than one thousand Salah elsewhere, and one Salah in the Masjid of Baytul Maqdis (Masjidul Aqsa) is better than five hundred Salah elsewhere.” [Musnad Bazzar, Al-Mu’jamul Kabir]
HUGE REWARD FOR OFFERING SALAH IN AL AQSA (then increased by 1000 times) - #9
Maymoonah bint Sa’d (R) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said regarding Masjidul Aqsa, “…. Visit it and perform Salah in it, since one Salah in it equals to one thousand Salah performed elsewhere.” [Ibn Majah]
HUGE REWARD FOR OFFERING SALAH IN AL AQSA (then increased by 50 000 times) - #10
Anas (R) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “… His Salah in Masjidul Aqsa is equal to 50 000 Salah performed elsewhere.” [Ibn Majah]
FORGIVENESS OF SINS FOR SETTING OUT TO MASJIDUL AQSA WITH THE INTENTION OF SALAH - #11
Abdullah ibn ‘Amr (R) reports that Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “Nabi Sulayman (AS) asked Allah for three favours. The third favour was that anyone who leaves his home with the sole intention of performing Salah in Masjidul Aqsa then all his sins will be forgiven. Nabi r then said, “We hope that Allah accepted this du’a of his.” [Musnad Ahmad]
A GROUP IN BAYTUL MAQDIS WILL REMAIN FIRM UPON DIN AND PREVAIL OVER THEIR ENEMY - #12
Abu Umamah (R) reported that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “A group from my ummah will remain adherent to their faith prevailing over their adversaries. Those who oppose them will not harm them, except for [occasional] hardships, until the command of Allah comes while they are in that state.” They asked: “O Messenger of Allah, where will they be?” He replied: “In Baytul Maqdis and its surroundings.” [Musnad Ahmad]
RESTING PLACE OF NABI MOOSA (AS) - #13
When the angel of death was sent to Moosa u, he asked Allah to bring him close to the Holy Land (Baitul Maqdis), the distance of a stone's throw. [Sahih Bukhari]
PLACE OF ME’RAJ - #14
Jabir (R) narrates that Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “When the Quraysh did not believe me (concerning the night journey of Isra), I was staying in the Hateem and Allah made visible before me Baitul-Maqdis and I began to narrate to them (the Quraysh of Mecca) its signs while I was in fact looking at it.” [Sahih Bukhari]
LAND OF RESURRECTION - #15
Maymoonah bint Sa’d (RA) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said regarding Baytul Maqdis, “…It is a place of Resurrection…” [Ibn Majah]
SENDING MONETARY ASSISTANCE TOWARDS MASJIDUL AQSA - #16
Maymoonah bint Sa’d (RA) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said regarding Masjidul Aqsa, “…If you’re unable to visit it, then send some oil to be used for its lamps (i.e. send monetary assistance which will be used for the Masjid). Whoever does that, it is as though he has visited Masjidul Aqsa.” [Ibn Majah]
MASJIDUL AQSA WILL BE PROTECTED FROM DAJJAL - #17
Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “I have been warning you about Dajjal who has one abraded eye.” [The narrators] said: I think he said the left eye. “He will have with him mountains of bread and rivers of water. He will stay on earth for forty mornings. His authority will reach everywhere. He will not come to four Masjids: the Ka’bah, the Masjid of Rasulullah r, Masjidul Aqsa and the Masjid of al-Tur [Sinai]…” [Musnad Ahmad]
ALLAH TAKES AN OATH ON THE LAND OF PALESTINE IN THE QUR’AN - #18
Allah Ta’ala says: By the (oath of the) fig and the olive! And By (the oath of) Mount Sinai! [Surah Teen V. 1 – 2]
Commentators of the Qur’an mention that the fig and the olive in the above mentioned verse symbolise the lands of Palestine and Shaam where these fruits are grown in abundance. In other words, in this verse, Allah takes an oath on the blessed lands of Palestine and Shaam. [Ad Durrul Manthoor]
BLESSED IS AL-SHAAM - #19
Zaid ibn Thabit (R) reported: We were with Allah’s Messenger (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) composing transcripts of the Qur’an on parchments. He said, “Blessed is Al-Shaam.” We asked: “Why is that so, O Messenger of Allah?” He said, “Because the angels of the Compassionate One(Allah) have spread their wings over it.”
N.B. Al-Shaam, today includes Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and PALESTINE. [Tirmidhi]
CHOSEN LAND OF ALLAH - #20
Abu Umamah (R) reports that the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “The chosen land of Allah is Al-Shaam. 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.” [Tabarani]
WHAT ALLAH SAYS REGARDING AL-SHAM - #21
Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Hawalah al-Azdi (R) reports that he once said: “O Rasulullah! Choose for me a place where I should stay, for if I were to know that you would remain I would not have preferred any place over you.” He said: “Go to Shaam!” (He said this thrice). When Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) saw [my] indifference towards this, he said: “Do you know what Allah says regarding Shaam? Verily, Allah says, “O Shaam! You are my chosen land and I shall make the best of my servants enter you.” [Tabarani]
SAFETY WILL BE IN SHAAM - #22
Abdullah ibn ‘Amr (R) reported that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “When fitna (great tribulations at the end of time) befalls, safety will be in Al-Shaam.” [Tabarani]
IMAN WILL BE IN SHAAM - #23
'Abdullah ibn 'Amr (R) said: Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: "I saw (in a dream) a pillar of the book was taken from underneath my pillow and I looked and there was a light shining in the direction toward Shaam. Verily faith at the time of turmoil is in Shaam."
Comment: The pillar of the book refers to the pillar of Islam, the pillar of faith. [Fadhail al Shaam]
THE STRONG-HOLD OF BELIEVERS - #24
Salamah bin Nufayl (R) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “The strong-hold of believers is Shaam.” [Tabarani]
A HUGE FIRE BEFORE THE DAY OF QIYAMAH - #25
Saalim ibn ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (R) reports from his father that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “A huge fire will emerge from Hadramawt or (He said) from the direction of the sea of Hadramawt before the Day of Resurrection which will cause a great movement of people.” The Companions asked, “O Messenger of Allah what do you order us to do at that time?” He r replied, “You must go to Al-Shaam.” [Tirmidhi]
GREAT PROPHECY OF NABI r - #26
Dhu’l-Asabi’ (R) reported that he asked Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), “O Messenger of Allah! Where do you instruct us to go if we are unfortunate to remain behind after your passing away?” Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) replied, “Go to Bayt Al-Maqdis. Perhaps you will have offspring who will go to that masjid day and night.” [Musnad Ahmed]
THE GLAD TIDING OF THE CONQUEST OF AL-SHAAM AND BAIT AL-MAQDIS - #27
Shaddad ibn Aws (R) relates that he was with the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) who was feeling better (on the Prophet’s deathbed). Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) asked, “What is wrong with you Shaddad?” Shaddad (R) answered by saying, “The world is closing in on me.” Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) then said, “Do not worry, Al-Shaam will be conquered and Bayt al-Maqdis (Jerusalem) will be conquered and you and your sons will be imams there, if Allah wills.” [Tabarani]
AL-SHAAM - A PLACE WHERE REVELATION DESCENDED - #28
Abu Umamah (R) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “Prophethood descended upon me in three places: Makkah, Madinah and Al-Shaam.” [Al Mustadrak]
PLACE OF KILLING OF DAJJAL - #29
Mujammi’ ibn Jariyah (R) reported having heard the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) say, “Isa Ibn Maryam (AS) will kill Dajjal (the Anti-Christ) at the door of Ludd.” (NB. Ludd is a town in Palestine located 45 km to the north west of Al Quds) [Tirmidhi, Ahmed]
PEOPLE OF SHAAM - #30
Mu‘awiyah ibn Qurrah narrated that his father said: “Nabi Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “If the people of Shaam are corrupted, there will be no good in you (Ummah)...” [Tirmidhi]
THE REST OF THE WORLD WILL BE DESTROYED BEFORE SHAAM - #31
‘Awf ibn Malik (R) reports that the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “The rest of the world will be destroyed forty years before Al-Shaam is destroyed.” [Ibn Asaakir]
THOSE WHO ARE GUARDING THE MUSLIM FRONTIER - #33
Abu Darda’ (R) related that the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “From Al-Shaam 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 Asaakir]
A GROUP FROM MY UMMAH WILL REMAIN UPON THE TRUTH - #34
Umair ibn Hani’ mentions that he heard Mu‘awiyah ibn Abi Sufyan (R) saying on this pulpit that he heard the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) saying, “A group from my Ummah will remain upon the truth. Those who desert them or oppose them will not be able to harm them, they will prevail over others until the decree of Allah (Qiyamah) comes.” (Mu’adh ibn Jabal t said, “They are the people of Al-Shaam.”) [Musnad Ahmed]
A GROUP FIGHTING AT BAYTUL MAQDIS WILL REMAIN VICTORIOUS - #35
Abu Hurayrah (R) relates that the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “A group of my Ummah will not cease to fight at the gates of Damascus and at the gates of Bayt al-Maqdis (Jerusalem) and its surroundings. The betrayal or desertion of whoever deserts them will not harm them in the least. They will remain victorious, until the Final Hour comes.” [Tabarani]
MASJID AL-AQSA - THE BEST PLACE OF RESIDENCE - #36
Abdullah ibn ‘Amr (R) reports that the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “There will be migration upon migration. The best of the inhabitants of the earth will reside where Prophet Ibrahim (AS) migrated (around Bayt al-Maqdis)...” [Al Mustadrak]
MASJIDUL AQSA - NABI (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) PERFORMED SALAH DURING ME’RAJ - #37
Anas ibn Malik (R) relates that Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “I was brought the Buraq, a tall white beast, larger than a donkey but smaller than a mule. It could place its hooves at the furthest boundary of its gaze. I mounted it until I arrived at Bayt Al-Maqdis. I tied it to the ring to which the Ambiya tied it before (i.e. the Buraq Wall or Western Wall). I entered Masjid al-Aqsa Sanctuary and prayed Salah (two rak’ah there).” [Muslim]
THE VIRTUES OF PERFORMING I’TIKAF IN MASJID AL-AQSA - #38
Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman (R) reports that the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “The most superior I’tikaf (seclusion) is that of three Masajid: Al-Masjid Al-Haram (in Makkah), the Masjid of the Prophet (in Madinah), and the Masjid of Bayt al-Maqdis (in Jerusalem).” [Bayhaqi]
MUSLIMS WILL BE IN BAYTUL MAQDIS AT THE TIME OF DAJJAL - #39
Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said that when Dajjal will approach Baitul Maqdis, Imam Mahdi (R) will already be present in the city. [Ibn Majah]
OWNING A SMALL PIECE OF LAND NEAR BAITUL MAQDIS - #40
The Messenger of Allah said: “A time will come in which for a person to have a (small) piece of land - the size of a rope used to tie a horse - from which he can see Bayt al-Maqdis, will be better than the entire world.” [Haakim]
