The purpose and intent of posting this thread is purely to have an academic debate and reach at an understanding of the complex sensitive issue, it is nowhere intended to offend sensitivities of any religious group, nor it is desired to force reader into believing that the content of this thread is the only truth. Readers / participants are expected to form their own well informed opinion on the matter and remain civil during the course of their argumentation.
Subject: The hot topic of Jerusalem and Muslim attachment with that city
Why Muslims consider Jerusalem to be their third holiest place? It’s mainly because of the Al Aqsa mosque or Bait Ul Muqadas. That mosque is believed by many Muslims to be their first Qiblah (The center of their focus, or the direction where they think they used to face while offering their prayers) and the starting point of Muhammad’s (Peace be upon him) journey to the skies, Muslims believe that Muhammad Peace be upon him was first taken to that Mosque where he lead the prayer congregation of all the Messengers (Peace be upon all of them) and then rode a heavenly steed/ horse (buraq) that took him into skies. Therefore we see Muslims perturbed whenever they are made to feel that they have no rights to that area or whenever they see it under occupation of people from any other religion.
How that place became so important for Muslims is purely based on the historical narratives and traditions. Though Quran mentions Al Aqsa once but it is interesting to note that Al Aqsa wasn’t even built then. Some say that the meaning of Al Aqsa is the farther Mosque (that is at a distance) and Quran referred to a Mosque in Madina when Muhammad Peace be upon him migrated from Makkah to Madina under the will and command of ALLAH. The camel which transported Muhammad Peace be upon him was named Qaswa meaning “One who takes to the remote destination”. Verse 17:1 of Quran is normally interpreted as Muhammad’s journey to skies during night, whereas other verses of Quran reveal that it wasn’t unique to Muhammad only who was ordered to travel at night, please refer e.g. 26:52, 20:77, 44:23, 15:65, 11:81.
Plus Most of the people think that “Al Aqsa ” refers to the current mosque “Al Aqsa ” in Jerusalem. Please note that the “AlAqsa” was built in 72 Century Hijra (AH) as inscribed on the foundation stone and accepted by all historian without any doubt or dispute. The name of the mosque was taken from Quran by Arabs. Quran did not take its name from the mosque. The Al-Aqsa Mosque was originally a small prayer house built by the Rashidun Caliph Umar (RA), but was rebuilt and expanded by the Ummayad caliph Abd al-Malik later.
Another interesting point to note is that most Muslims believe that five times prayer was made mandatory after Muhammad's this journey to skies. However the same traditions tell you that Muhammad Peace be upon lead a prayer congregation of all the Messengers (Peace be upon all of them) in Al Aqsa.
Anyhow moving forward to the main focus of this writing, that how is it that a non-existent Mosque became a Qiblah for Muhammad and Muslims of that time? Is it an inaccuracy which has slowly transformed into a firm belief, an inaccuracy that doesn’t find its basis in Quran.
My contention in this regard is backed by verses of Quran is that Muslims had only one Qiblah, Khana e Kaba from Start, the first (3:96) and the only, and no other Qiblah. It were Jews who knowingly changed the direction (2;130, 2;145, 3;98) ...... and when Muhammad Peace be upon him reinforced the focus to the original Qiblah through divine guidance (2:144) these same Jews objected that why they (Muslims) have changed the direction of Qiblah (2:142) ..... and it was also test of the newly converted Muslims (Ex Jews) to see how steadfast they are. You can read the following verses yourself and see if Bait Ul Muqadas is even ever mentioned as Qiblah in Quran. Muhammad Peace be upon would follow Ibrahim / Ismail and Ishaq (Peace be upon all of them) and not the people who had changed their scriptures intentionally and were hell bent on misguiding Muslims. When Muhammad Peace be upon him migrated to Madina he would look to sky in hope to get the good news of when he is getting back the custody of Sacred Mosque his father Ibrahim had built .....
[3:96] Indeed, the first House [of worship] established for mankind was that at Makkah - blessed and a guidance for the worlds.
[3:97] In it are clear signs: the station of Abraham. Anyone who enters it shall be granted safe passage. The people owe it to GOD that they shall observe Hajj to this shrine, when they can afford it. As for those who disbelieve, GOD does not need anyone.
[2:127] As Abraham raised the foundations of the shrine, together with Ismail (they prayed): "Our Lord, accept this from us. You are the Hearer, the Omniscient.
[2:129] "Our Lord, and raise among them a messenger to recite to them Your revelations, teach them the scripture and wisdom, and purify them. You are the Almighty, Most Wise."
[2:130] Who would forsake the religion of Abraham, except one who fools his own soul? We have chosen him in this world, and in the Hereafter he will be with the righteous.
[2:145] Even if you show the followers of the scripture every kind of miracle, they will not follow your Qiblah. Nor shall you follow their Qiblah. They do not even follow each other’s' Qiblah. If you acquiesce to their wishes, after the knowledge that has come to you, you will belong with the transgressors.
[3:98] Say, "O followers of the scripture, why do you reject these revelations of GOD, when GOD is witnessing everything you do?"
[2:144] We have seen you turning your face about the sky (searching for the right direction). We now assign a Qiblah that is pleasing to you. Henceforth, you shall turn your face towards the Sacred Masjid. Wherever you may be, all of you shall turn your faces towards it. Those who received the previous scripture know that this is the truth from their Lord. GOD is never unaware of anything they do.
[2:142] The fools among the people would say, "Why did they change the direction of their Qiblah?" Say, "To GOD belongs the east and the west; He guides whoever wills in a straight path."
[2:125] We have rendered the shrine (the Ka`aba) a focal point for the people, and a safe sanctuary. You may use Abraham's shrine as a prayer house. We commissioned Abraham and Ismail: "You shall purify My house for those who visit, those who live there, and those who bow and prostrate."
[10:87 ] And We inspired to Moses and his brother, “Settle your people in Egypt in houses and make your houses [facing the] qiblah and establish prayer and give good tidings to the believers.”
It doesn’t make sense for Muhammad to face to a non-existent mosque and say prayers and leave the first and only Qiblah built by his father Ibrahim, which was right in front of Muhammad's eyes in a city where he was raised and spent a significant time of his life.
I would like to inform my readers that I wholeheartedly support the cause of Palestinian people, they are the native people whose land has been snatched from them, but I find it difficult to support Muslim world in their fight for a place that is considered and made holy for Muslims through historical inaccuracies and man written traditions and stories. In recent times we remained silent when Palestinian children were slaughtered and they were thrown out of their homes and now we have waken up for a place only.
I would request the Muslim world to consider following verses and then durect fight for the rights of the Palestinians and not for Bait ul Muqadas only
"And what is [the matter] with you that you fight not in the cause of Allah and [for] the oppressed among men, women, and children who say, "Our Lord, take us out of this city of oppressive people and appoint for us from Yourself a protector and appoint for us from Yourself a helper?" 4:75
"[They are] those who have been evicted from their homes without right - only because they say, "Our Lord is Allah ." And were it not that Allah checks the people, some by means of others, there would have been demolished monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques in which the name of Allah is much mentioned. And Allah will surely support those who support Him. Indeed, Allah is Powerful and Exalted in Might." 22:40
Thanks.
@khafee If you could please moderate the article and thread
@Hellhound @H!thchiker @Scorpion @Legend @SOUTHie
@Atalay
Subject: The hot topic of Jerusalem and Muslim attachment with that city
Why Muslims consider Jerusalem to be their third holiest place? It’s mainly because of the Al Aqsa mosque or Bait Ul Muqadas. That mosque is believed by many Muslims to be their first Qiblah (The center of their focus, or the direction where they think they used to face while offering their prayers) and the starting point of Muhammad’s (Peace be upon him) journey to the skies, Muslims believe that Muhammad Peace be upon him was first taken to that Mosque where he lead the prayer congregation of all the Messengers (Peace be upon all of them) and then rode a heavenly steed/ horse (buraq) that took him into skies. Therefore we see Muslims perturbed whenever they are made to feel that they have no rights to that area or whenever they see it under occupation of people from any other religion.
How that place became so important for Muslims is purely based on the historical narratives and traditions. Though Quran mentions Al Aqsa once but it is interesting to note that Al Aqsa wasn’t even built then. Some say that the meaning of Al Aqsa is the farther Mosque (that is at a distance) and Quran referred to a Mosque in Madina when Muhammad Peace be upon him migrated from Makkah to Madina under the will and command of ALLAH. The camel which transported Muhammad Peace be upon him was named Qaswa meaning “One who takes to the remote destination”. Verse 17:1 of Quran is normally interpreted as Muhammad’s journey to skies during night, whereas other verses of Quran reveal that it wasn’t unique to Muhammad only who was ordered to travel at night, please refer e.g. 26:52, 20:77, 44:23, 15:65, 11:81.
Plus Most of the people think that “Al Aqsa ” refers to the current mosque “Al Aqsa ” in Jerusalem. Please note that the “AlAqsa” was built in 72 Century Hijra (AH) as inscribed on the foundation stone and accepted by all historian without any doubt or dispute. The name of the mosque was taken from Quran by Arabs. Quran did not take its name from the mosque. The Al-Aqsa Mosque was originally a small prayer house built by the Rashidun Caliph Umar (RA), but was rebuilt and expanded by the Ummayad caliph Abd al-Malik later.
Another interesting point to note is that most Muslims believe that five times prayer was made mandatory after Muhammad's this journey to skies. However the same traditions tell you that Muhammad Peace be upon lead a prayer congregation of all the Messengers (Peace be upon all of them) in Al Aqsa.
Anyhow moving forward to the main focus of this writing, that how is it that a non-existent Mosque became a Qiblah for Muhammad and Muslims of that time? Is it an inaccuracy which has slowly transformed into a firm belief, an inaccuracy that doesn’t find its basis in Quran.
My contention in this regard is backed by verses of Quran is that Muslims had only one Qiblah, Khana e Kaba from Start, the first (3:96) and the only, and no other Qiblah. It were Jews who knowingly changed the direction (2;130, 2;145, 3;98) ...... and when Muhammad Peace be upon him reinforced the focus to the original Qiblah through divine guidance (2:144) these same Jews objected that why they (Muslims) have changed the direction of Qiblah (2:142) ..... and it was also test of the newly converted Muslims (Ex Jews) to see how steadfast they are. You can read the following verses yourself and see if Bait Ul Muqadas is even ever mentioned as Qiblah in Quran. Muhammad Peace be upon would follow Ibrahim / Ismail and Ishaq (Peace be upon all of them) and not the people who had changed their scriptures intentionally and were hell bent on misguiding Muslims. When Muhammad Peace be upon him migrated to Madina he would look to sky in hope to get the good news of when he is getting back the custody of Sacred Mosque his father Ibrahim had built .....
[3:96] Indeed, the first House [of worship] established for mankind was that at Makkah - blessed and a guidance for the worlds.
[3:97] In it are clear signs: the station of Abraham. Anyone who enters it shall be granted safe passage. The people owe it to GOD that they shall observe Hajj to this shrine, when they can afford it. As for those who disbelieve, GOD does not need anyone.
[2:127] As Abraham raised the foundations of the shrine, together with Ismail (they prayed): "Our Lord, accept this from us. You are the Hearer, the Omniscient.
[2:129] "Our Lord, and raise among them a messenger to recite to them Your revelations, teach them the scripture and wisdom, and purify them. You are the Almighty, Most Wise."
[2:130] Who would forsake the religion of Abraham, except one who fools his own soul? We have chosen him in this world, and in the Hereafter he will be with the righteous.
[2:145] Even if you show the followers of the scripture every kind of miracle, they will not follow your Qiblah. Nor shall you follow their Qiblah. They do not even follow each other’s' Qiblah. If you acquiesce to their wishes, after the knowledge that has come to you, you will belong with the transgressors.
[3:98] Say, "O followers of the scripture, why do you reject these revelations of GOD, when GOD is witnessing everything you do?"
[2:144] We have seen you turning your face about the sky (searching for the right direction). We now assign a Qiblah that is pleasing to you. Henceforth, you shall turn your face towards the Sacred Masjid. Wherever you may be, all of you shall turn your faces towards it. Those who received the previous scripture know that this is the truth from their Lord. GOD is never unaware of anything they do.
[2:142] The fools among the people would say, "Why did they change the direction of their Qiblah?" Say, "To GOD belongs the east and the west; He guides whoever wills in a straight path."
[2:125] We have rendered the shrine (the Ka`aba) a focal point for the people, and a safe sanctuary. You may use Abraham's shrine as a prayer house. We commissioned Abraham and Ismail: "You shall purify My house for those who visit, those who live there, and those who bow and prostrate."
[10:87 ] And We inspired to Moses and his brother, “Settle your people in Egypt in houses and make your houses [facing the] qiblah and establish prayer and give good tidings to the believers.”
It doesn’t make sense for Muhammad to face to a non-existent mosque and say prayers and leave the first and only Qiblah built by his father Ibrahim, which was right in front of Muhammad's eyes in a city where he was raised and spent a significant time of his life.
I would like to inform my readers that I wholeheartedly support the cause of Palestinian people, they are the native people whose land has been snatched from them, but I find it difficult to support Muslim world in their fight for a place that is considered and made holy for Muslims through historical inaccuracies and man written traditions and stories. In recent times we remained silent when Palestinian children were slaughtered and they were thrown out of their homes and now we have waken up for a place only.
I would request the Muslim world to consider following verses and then durect fight for the rights of the Palestinians and not for Bait ul Muqadas only
"And what is [the matter] with you that you fight not in the cause of Allah and [for] the oppressed among men, women, and children who say, "Our Lord, take us out of this city of oppressive people and appoint for us from Yourself a protector and appoint for us from Yourself a helper?" 4:75
"[They are] those who have been evicted from their homes without right - only because they say, "Our Lord is Allah ." And were it not that Allah checks the people, some by means of others, there would have been demolished monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques in which the name of Allah is much mentioned. And Allah will surely support those who support Him. Indeed, Allah is Powerful and Exalted in Might." 22:40
Thanks.
@khafee If you could please moderate the article and thread
@Hellhound @H!thchiker @Scorpion @Legend @SOUTHie
@Atalay