The Status and Significance of Bayt al-Maqdis in Islam.

• Author: Sabri, Ikrime Sa'eed
• Position: COMMENTARY - Report

Introduction

When the blessed al-Aqsa Mosque is mentioned, it also denotes the city of al-Quds or Bayt al-Maqdis, in particular, and Palestine, in general. Any references to any of these three rubrics necessarily include the other two rubrics, as there is a concomitance of faith, worship, and history among them. There is absolutely no room for separating these names. In the Qur'an, Allah (SWT) says: "Limitless in His glory is He who transported His servant by night from al-Haram Mosque [the Inviolable House of Worship at Makkah] to the Remote House of Worship [al-Aqsa Mosque at Bayt al-Maqdis]--the environs of which We had blessed--so that We might show him some of Our symbols: for, verily, He alone is all-hearing, all-seeing." (1) Surah al-Isra is the only one, in the Qur'an, that begins with the glorification, Subhan, so as to indicate that Allah (SWT), intends to alert us that an extraordinary matter had taken place, that is the miracle of the Night Journey to Bayt al-Maqdis (al-Isra) and the subsequent Ascension to Heaven (al-Mi'raj).

Miracles are part of the Islamic faith. In addition, the blessing mentioned in the above verse includes and is bestowed on the land of Palestine from the Mediterranean to the Jordan River, including the city of al-Quds. The blessing of al-Aqsa Mosque is doubled and realized in the first place. There is an opinion by some scholars of tafsir (exegesis of al-Qur'an) that the blessed land includes not only the Levant countries but also all homelands of Islam and any country whose people embraces Islam, is covered by this blessing. In order to explain the place of Bayt al-Maqdis in Islam, it is necessary to address to the close bonds, unalienable rights, and firm ties that link Muslims to Bayt al-Maqdis and the land of Palestine. These bonds will be briefly discussed below.

Bonds of Creed

The bonds of creed are represented in several aspects. The first aspect is the "Night Journey (al-Isra)" and the subsequent Ascension to Heaven (al-Mi'raj). Our impeccable Prophet (PBUH) was transported by night from al-Haram Mosque (the inviolable house of worship at Makkah) to al-Aqsa Mosque, the remote house of worship at Bayt al-Maqdis (al-Quds) in Palestine. Then he ascended to Heaven all the way to the lotus-tree of the farthest limit or ultimate boundary, as indicated in Surah al-Najm.

Thus, al-Quds was the hub of this divine miracle (al-Isra and al-Mi'raj) so as to demonstrate the importance of al-Quds and Palestine and to appreciate its profile, status, and significance. Since the incidents of al-Isra and al-Mi'raj are miracles that are part of the Islamic creed, all Muslims are attached to this city by religious belief. Therefore, the presence of the people of Palestine in this land is based on an eternal divine will and is subject to neither negotiation nor concession.

The second religious significance of al-Quds is related to Angel Israfil and the Rock of Bayt al-Maqdis. Allah (SWT) says: "And be on the alert for the day when the caller calls from a close quarter, the day when they hear the Cry in all truth. That is the day of rising [from the dead] ." (2) The "close quarter" here is the honorable Rock of Bayt al-Maqdis where Israfil (PBUH) will call humanity for gathering; that is, the day of rising from the dead for the 'Day of Judgment.' Believing in the 'Day of Judgment' is another part and parcel of Islamic creed.

The third aspect is that the Bayt al-Maqdis will be the land of resurrection and gathering as people will be resurrected from the dead and gathered for their final reckoning in the Day of Judgment. On the authority of the companion, Maymuna bint...