Foundation of USA

سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي أَسْرَى بِعَبْدِهِ لَيْلا مِنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الأقْصَى الَّذِي بَارَكْنَا حَوْلَهُ لِنُرِيَهُ مِنْ آيَاتِنَا إِنَّه هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ

Glorified (and Exalted) is He (Allâh) [Above all that (evil) they associate with Him] {Tafsîr Qurtubî} Who took His slave (Muhammad Sala-llahu Alahi Wa Salam) for a Journey by Night from Al Masjid Al Harâm (at Makkah) to Al Masjid Al Aqsa (in Jerusalem), the neighbourhood whereof We have blessed, in order that We might show Him (Muhammad Sala-llahu Alahi Wa Salam) of Our Ayât's (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.). Verily, He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer. (TMQ* 17 : 1)

Al Masjid Al Aqsa is the second Masjid ever to be build for the sole worship of Allâh Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala. Throughout the ages Al Masjid Al Aqsa has suffered many transformations and destruction. When Umar Ibn Khattab Radi-Allahu 'anhu entered Bait Al-Maqdis in 15 Ah he ordered that the area, where he believed the Masjid location had been, to be cleared to start the building of the initial structure of the Masjid. The actual building started in 18 AH and the Masjid was made out of timber. Abd Al Malik Ibn Marwan began the construction of Al Masjid Al Aqsa in its new shape and structure but it was his son Al Waleed who completed it in 90 AH. The present structure has remained essentially intact since it was last reconstructed in 424 AH by Al Khalifah Ath-Thaahir who did not alter it from its previous architecture; he only narrowed it on each of its east and west sides.

Nowadays, there is a very unique phenomenon; unfortunately too many Muslims do not understand to differences between Al Masjid Al Aqsa and The Dome of the Rock (Qubbat al-Sakhra).

There are pictures of the Dome of the Rock and misinterpret that to be Al Masjid Al Aqsa and vice versa; there is a difference. Al Masjid Al Aqsa is the place of prayer and is situated in the southern portion of the plateau (see the picture below), and the Dome of the Rock is an architectural structure built on the raised rock (from the Prophet Muhammad Sala-llahu Alahi Wa Salam accession during the Isrâ and Mi'raj) that is situated in the middle of the plateau in Jerusalem.

Why this confusion? The main reason is simple lack of knowledge and understanding. Whenever there is mention of Al Masjid Al Aqsa, pictures of The Dome of the Rock appear in the media and newspapers. We even have similar posters in our homes, offices and schools of The Dome of the Rock with our belief it is Al Masjid Al Aqsa. It's the ubiquitous plan to eventually try to destroy Al Masjid Al Aqsa and build a temple on that location, and if anyone complains they will be shown pictures of The Dome of the Rock as justification that in fact it has not been destroyed. We have to educate ourselves and the Islâmic community so we do not fall prey to systematic plan to destroy our Islâmic culture, customs, values, beliefs and history.

The Dome of the Rock was built by Khalifah Abd Al Malik Ibn Marwan in 72 AH. It says in al-Mawsoo’ah al-Filasteeniyyah (4/203): “The name Al Masjid Al Aqsa was historically applied to the entire sanctuary (al-Haram al-Shareef) and the buildings in it, the most important of which is the Dome of the Rock which was built by ‘Abd Al Malik Ibn Marwan in 72 AH/691 CE, which is regarded as one of the greatest Islamic historical buildings. But today the name is applied to the great mosque which is situated in the southern part of the sanctuary plateau.”

This is supported by the words of Sheikh al Islam Ibn Taimiyah in Majmoo’at al-Rasaa’il al-Kubra, 2/61: “Al Masjid Al Aqsa is the name for the whole of the place of worship built by Sulaimân Alahi Wa Salam. Some people started to give the name of Al Masjid Al Aqsa to the Salât-place which was built by ‘Umar Ibn al Khattab Radi-Allahu 'anhu in front of it. Perform Salât this Salât-place which ‘Umar Radi-Allahu 'anhu built for the Muslims is better than perform Salât in the rest of the Masjid.

The importance of Al Masjid Al Aqsa and Jerusalem has been central to the Muslim Ummah since its creation.

Abû Dharr Radi-Allahu 'anhu asked Prophet Muhammad (Sala-llahu Alahi Wa Salam), 'O Messenger of Allâh, which Masjid was built first on earth first? He said, 'Al Masjid Al Harâm (in Makkah).' I said 'Then which?' He said, 'Al Masjid Al Aqsa' I said how much time was there between them? He said, ' Forty years'. So wherever you are when the time for prayer comes pray, for that is the best thing to do' (Sahîh Al Bukhâri and Sahîh Muslim (TMH**)

Al Masjid Al Aqsa was the first Qiblah. Muhammad (Sala-llahu Alahi Wa Salam) and his followers perform Salât for 16 months towards the Al Masjid Al Aqsa, until the Qiblah was changed towards the Ka'bah in Makkah. It was at Al Masjid Al Aqsa where Prophet Muhammad (Sala-llahu Alahi Wa Salam) led all of the Prophets (Alahi Wa Salam) of Allâh that came before him in Salât and then ascended to Jannah to receive Allâh command to the Muslims to perform Salât 5 times a day. Therefore , the whole of Al Masjid Al Aqsa area is unique in that this is the only place on earth where all the Prophets (Alahi Wa Salam) preformed Salât in congregation.

Al Masjid Al Aqsa also represents one of only three Masjid's where we are recommended to visit for sole purpose of praying Salât. The virtues of praying in Al Masjid Al Aqsa are multiplied by a thousand times.

Abu Hurairah Radi-Allahu 'anhu is quoted as saying that Allâh's Messenger said: '"There are only three Masjid's to which you should embark on a journey: the sacred Masjid (Al Masjid Al Harâm (Makkah Saudi Arabia), this Masjid of mine (Al Masjid Al Madînah An Nadi, Madînah Saudi Arabia), and the Al Masjid Al Aqsa (Jerusalem)." ( Sahîh Al Bukhâri and Sahîh Muslim TMH**)

The virtues of perform Salât in Al Masjid Al Aqsa are exalted:

Abû Dardaa Radi-Allahu 'anhu is quoted as saying the Prophet Muhammad (Sala-llahu Alahi Wa Salam) said a Salât in the Sacred Masjid (Al Masjid Al Harâm (Makkah Saudi Arabia) is worth 100,000 Salât, a Salât in Masjid of mine (Al Masjid Al Madînah An Nadi, Madînah Saudi Arabia) is worth 1,000 and a Salât in Al Masjid Al Aqsa (Jerusalem) is worth 500 Salât more then any other Masjid. (Sahîh Al Bukhâri TMH**)

Allâh through Ayât's (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) in the Qur'ân Al Kareem, Prophet Muhammad (Sala-llahu Alahi Wa Salam) teachings and his visiting Al Masjid Al Aqsa during Isrâ and Mi'râj has made this Masjid central to our belief. During these times of conflicts, persecution and blatant daily injustices, we as Muslims should perform Salât for the safety of Al Masjid Al Aqsa, The Dome of Rock, its surroundings areas and our Muslim brothers and sisters who struggle to restore and keep this land in peace for all the people Insha' Allah.

* = Translation of the Meaning of the Qur'ân Al Kareem. This translation is for the realized meaning, so far, of the stated (Sûrah : Ayât) of the Qur'ân Al Kareem. Reading the translated meaning of the Qur'ân Al Kareem can never replace reading it in Arabic, the language in which it was revealed.
**= Translation of the Meaning of the Ahâdith or Hadîth. This translation is for the realized meaning, so far, of the stated of the Ahâdith or Hadîth. Reading the translated meaning of the Ahâdith or Hadîth can never replace reading it in Arabic, the language in which it was revealed.