Al-Aqsa Mosque Day
Written by: SK.
Younis Salih
Translated by Dr. Faheem Bukhatwa
2
7
Shawal 1430 h
16 October 2009 ad
Al-Aqsa day has been selected by our brothers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque to be a
day for unity. It is therefore only appropriate to talk about Al-Aqsa mosque
in support for our brothers in the land of Palestine. So, if we wanted to
talk about the benefits of Al-Aqsa mosque, we would say: The Isra
(night trip) of the prophet (ppbu) was from the Haram Mosque in Mekka to the
Al-Aqsa mosque in the city of Al-Quds or Jerusalem. Those two mosques as
well as the mosque of the prophet in Madina are the three mosques the
prophet said about them: {Traveling should only be to three mosques and the
Haram mosque, this mosque of mine and the Al-Aqsa mosque}. Indeed, they are
the mosques of the prophets. The first (Al-Aqsa mosque) is the target for
Qibla (to be facing in most matters) and hajj. The second (the Prophet's
mosque in Madina) was built in respect and fear for Allah. And the third
(Al-Aqsa Mosque) was the qibla for the believing nations before.
In
the year 15 of Hijra, the Khalifa Omar took over the Al-Aqsa mosque. He was
not about to leave such an important mosque in the hands of those who did
not believe in Allah and His messenger.
If
the flag of Islam was flying above Mekka where the journey of Isra started,
then it was not logical to allow the Al-Aqsa land under the rule of the
enemies of Allah. This land, where the messenger of Allah (ppbu) led the
prophets in a prayer that night. The Khalifa Omar ebn Khattab sent
Aba-Obeida to take over Damascus then to head to Alquds city or Jerusalem
where it was surrounded. When surrendered, its people asked for Omar him
self to come to receive the city. And that he did. Khalifa Omar left Madina
with his mule and a guide. Along the way he said to the guide: our trip is
long and hard. I walk and ride for an hour then you walk and ride for an
hour, then we both walk and give the mule some rest. When they arrived the
city it was Omars turn to walk and the guide to ride. He entered the mosque
from the same door where the messenger (ppbh) entered. He prayed at the
Al-Aqsa stating that Jerusalem and its mosque belong to Islam. And he
received the city.
The mosque remained safe until 23rd of the month of Shaban in the
year 492 Hijra when the Crusaders invaded it and killed over 70 thousand
Muslims. Remember not one drop of blood was spilled when Omar entered it
over 475 years before that. The enemies remained causing havoc in the land
of Israa. The disagreements amongst the Muslim leaders then helped to
prolong the situation. When Allah wished it to occur, Salah-eddin Al-Ayoubi
led a blessed army which liberated the land of Palestine during the battle
of Hetteen in the year 583 Hejra.
When Salah-eddin died he only had owned 47 cents to him self. He was a
righteous and just leader, spent the money in the benefit of the nation, he
loved scholars and scientists, took their advice, he paid attention to
Jihad, to keep the flag of Islam high and to liberate Palestine. Allah
granted him his wishes. When he got close to Jerusalem, Christians got
worried of being executed as the Muslims were when the Crusaders took over.
They begged for safety and it was granted to them. He took over Jerusalem
without spilling a drop of blood on the 27th day of Rajab in the
year 583 Hejri, after it remained under the Crusaders occupation for 92
years.
All humanity, Christians and Jews had lived the best life under Islamic
rule.
Allah in His book states that the children of Israel will do harm and bad in
the Al-Aqsa land twice. That is through two governing periods based on
aggression and wrong doings. And each time they would become powerful and
would think they would be in absolute control. And that Allah would send
upon them some powerful believing slaves of His who would destroy them.
Muslim scholars say that the first of those two situations took place when
they killed the prophets Allah sent them, and disobeyed the commandments of
the Turrat book. The second occasion has not happened yet. And what is
happening now in the land of Palestine is just a sign of that.
The children of Israel are now more than ever increasing in power. They took
over the land of Palestine, and exercised control over a number of some of
the major powers in the world. They have some manipulation over the world
economy, and the media. Many countries are actively befriending them. They
arrogantly announce they are the masters of the world while all others are
slaves to them. One of their religious leaders says that all people who are
non-Jews are satanic and that there is no good in them. The existence of a
non-Jew is not necessary, for all creation was created for the sake and use
of Jews alone. That is their belief. They are trying to take over the entire
Muslim world, but we are certain that Allah’s promise is true. Finally
Muslims will fight Jews and Muslims shall win.
The state of weakness and sense of desperation that your nation is living is
what enticed other nations to attack you to take over your lands and
treasures. Enemies of your belief have aimed at turning the light of this
religion off by keeping you away from using Allah’s law in all your affairs.
There is a continuous battle between justice that you believe in and evil
that is lining all its forces, energies and allies to destroy this religion
of yours. Such battle will not end even with you being peaceful and
accepting implementation of their plans, and presenting the nations honor as
a sacrifice. Allah says: {And they continue to fight you until they pull
you back off your faith if they could}. Push them off, take example from
your ancestors who took this religion as a belief and as a way of life,
controlling the life for the living, spreading justice, protection the
Muslims’ honor, blocking the transgressors, safe guarding the nation and
bringing back the bravery of Moutasem, and the will of Salah-eddin.
Notes:
-
Adhan
- The call to prayer.
-
Ansar (or Al-Ansar):
The inhabitants of the city of Al-Medina that received and supported the
messenger (PPBU) when he immigrated from Mekkah in the very early years of
Islam.
Assalam Alaikum -
The Islamic greeting, literately means: Peace
be with you. Used when approaching or leaving. When used during approaching
it will be like saying: I bring no harm to you . and when said during
leaving somebody it will mean: No harm will come to you after I leave.
Aya (or Ayah):
is a verse of the Koran.
It also means a miracle or a sign from God.
Arafa (or Arafah or Arafat):
is a mountain
outside the city of Mecca
that represents the climax of the Hajj worship. All doing
Hajj must stay at this location on the same
day.
Badr
- The place of the first significant battle between the Muslims and the
pagans of the Quraish. It is located in Saudi Arabia.
Caliph
- A Muslim ruler. See:
(Khalifa)
Dajjal
- Antichrist or the False Massiah.
Dawah
- The proliferation of Islamic teachings through word and deed.
Deen (Din)
- Religion or way of life.
Duaa:
a prayer in the form of
talking to Allah;
praising him and asking him for help.
Fatwa
- Legal verdict given based on the Qur'an (Koran) and the Sunnah which are
the recorded sayings and deeds of Muhammad.
Ferdose:
is the highest level of
the all the gardens of Eden or paradise.
Fiqh
- Religious law.
Hadeeth:
is something reported
that the messenger have said. It includes all the speeches and ceremonies he gave.
It is usually narrated or told by one
of his companions. There is a list of hadeeths approximately 14000 that are
reported and checked to be genuine. No
more hadeeths are acceptably added to this list.
Hajar -
The Black Stone set into the corner of the
Ka'aba in Mecca. It is said to be a stone from Heaven.
Hajj -
The pilgrimage to Mecca which takes place in
the last month of the Islamic calendar. One of the five pillars of Islam.
Hasana or hasanas:
is the reward for a good deed. a hasana is a point or a merit for a good deed.
Hadith
- The sayings and not deeds of the prophet Muhammad recorded by his
followers. Considered authoritative and perfect.
Hajj: is
the worship of pilgrimage.
Hijra (or
Hejrah):
the event of the immigration of the messenger from Mekkah to Madina. This
event marks the start of the Islamic calendar. the Islamic calendar has 12
months based on the lunar cycle, each is 29.5 days. Hijra is also used as a
name for the Islamic dating system.
Ibadah -
Worship. All the words and deeds with which
Allah is pleased. These deeds could be prayer and charity.
Iblis - (Ibleese):
On of Satan's names.
Ibn (Ebn): the son of. Used
by Arabs as part of an individual's name. Example: Ali whose father is Omar
or the son of Omar, would be called: Ali Ibn
Omar.
Imam
(or Emam)- The leader for a prayer. In the Shiaa sect, an Imam is the individual who has the religious authority.
Iman:
belief or faith
Injil (Enjeel) -
The Bible. The book inspired to Jesus for the
Christians.
Islam
- Submission, the religion of all the
prophets of Allah culminating in Muhammad.
Jannah -
The heavenly garden, Paradise. The place of
the faithful in the afterlife.
Jihad:
is striving in the
line
of Allah in many forms. Includes a very wide scope varying from improving
oneself to fighting a defensive war in protection
of Allah's word. The greatest Jihad is the
fight one's self against temptations.
It also means "holy war."
Jinn
-
Supernatural, invisible beings race of
beings, below angels. They were made from fire. Like humans, there amongst
them are the faithful and the non beleivers and Jinn shall be judged on
Judgment Day.
Ka'aba:
A cube shaped building in
Mecca containing a stone laid there by Abraham and Ishmael. Some say
Ka'aba was first built by Adam, and some say by
Abraham. It is the holiest place for Muslims. It is where all Muslims face in their daily prayers.
Ka'aba also makes a major part of the pilgrimage
in a ritual known as Tawaf.
Khalifa:
is the Muslim ruler. Head of the Islamic empire. Exact translation:
"Successor".
Khutbah -
A sermon given in a Mosque, usually on Friday.
Kufr -
Denial or Disbelief. A term Muslims use for
anyone who denies existence of Allah or the prophecy of Muhammed.
Koran
- Also spelled Qur'an. The holy book
of Islam revealed to Muhammad by Allah through the Archangel Gabriel. Koran
literally means "the recital." It is the final revelation of Allah given to
the prophet Muhammad. It consists of 114 surahs (or chapters.)
Madinah - (Medinah): A city in the
Arabian
peninsula
(in the country known now as Saudi Arabia). A city where the messenger had to
immigrate to.
Then it was called Yathrib.
Masjid -
A
center for Muslim activity. It is referred to as a mosque.
Masiah -
A
sin, or a sinful act
Mecca or Makkah:
is
the holiest city for Muslims. It contains the Ka'aba mosque with the famous
black cubical shape. Mecca is the birth place of the messenger (PPBU).
Mosque - A Muslim
house of worship.
Muhajir -
(Muhajireen)
Immigrant, one who leaves his home town due to lack of religious freedom. It
was first used to describe early Muslims immigrating from Mecca to Median
and Ethiopia.
Muhammad -
the final messenger and
prophet of God whose message abrogated all previous revelations. He
received the Koran through the angel Gabriel over a 23 year period. Born in
Mecca and died in Medina at the age of 63. His full name: Muhammad
ibn Abd-Allah
Muslim
- One who holds faith to the religion of
Islam.
Nafilah:
a voluntary prayer other
than the five obligatory prayers; performed at any time.
Nasara -
Christians. Nasrani:
A Christian individual. Nasraniah:
Christianity.
Ommah:
is the Arabic word for a
nation. It usually refers to
the Islamic nation unless otherwise specified.
Paradise -
Another word for heaven. A
garden of bliss, fruits, rivers and all forms of pleasures imaginable and
imaginable. No suffering, disease or death. Service is provided by angels.
All live in it an ever lasting youthful life. Promised by Almighty
Allah to all faithful, true Jews, true Christians and True Muslims. Paradise
is one of two places every person will go to, either Paradise or Hellfire.
PPBU
(P.B.U.H.) :
Peace and Prayers Be
Upon him. A statement Muslims use any time they mention the name of the
messenger or make a reference to him.
Qadar -
Fate. Preordainment is the teaching that all
things, good and bad, are preordained to occur.
Qadr - (night of Qadr):
The night when the first
revelation of the Koran took place. Most likely it happened during one of the
last ten nights of the month of Ramadan. Or when the Koran was brought down to
the nearest heaven in one go, and from there it was brought down in bits and
few verses at a time over a period of 23 years. This night is considered the
holiest night for Muslims with tremendous advantages.
Qibla -
The direction which Muslims turn for daily
prayers, towards Mecca.
Quraish -
An ancient Arab tribe to which the messenger
Muhammad belonged.
Ramadan -
The ninth month of the Islamic calendar which
is the month of the fast. The holiest month in the Muslim colander.
Salat -
Prayers. Generally it covers all forms of
worship, but more specifically refers to the Muslim rituals which is
performed to worship Allah five times daily.
Shiaa:
A sect of Islam that teaches that a religion
leader (Imam) should be the political ruler and must be direct descendants
of the messenger (PPBU). Therefore, disapproving of all Muslim leaders who
ruled After the messenger (PPBU) except Ali, the messenger's grandson.
Shirk -
Associating another god with Allah. Or associating anyone or anything with
Allah. Or using anyone or anything as a medium to Allah. The opposite of
Monotheism or Tawheed.
Siam or Soam-
Fasting
Sunni:
is a the title of those Muslims who are suppose to be following the life
style of the messenger. This differentiates them from the Shiaa of Iran.
Sunna (Sunnah):
Is how the Messenger PPBU lived, what he did or said. It includes the way he
dressed, ate, drank, prayed, interacted with other people and fought.
Basically, sunnah is the life style of the messenger PPBU. It is considered
the second source of legislation in Islamic laws and it is considered to be an
important reference to be used for concluding arguments and disputes.
It is also a title give to the main stream Muslims who make 90% if all
Muslims.
Surah -
A
chapter of the Koran.
Tawaf:
part of the pilgrimage (Hajj)
ritual. It involves walking round the Ka'aba Mosque in anti-clock wise
direction a number of seven circles.
Tauhid - Tawheed -
Monotheism, in Islam is the teaching that
there is only one God who alone is worthy of worship. The first requirement
of becoming a Muslim. It is included in the testimony of faith for new
Muslims when declaring that God is one: (No God but Allah)
Taqwah -
Proper fear and veneration of Allah. A divine spark that enables the person
to understand God.
Taurat: The old
Testaments and scriptures of Mosa.
Ummah -
the word means: a Nation. Usually refers to
the Islamic nation unless otherwise stated.
Umrah - (Amrah):
A mini hajj. A Minor form of pilgrimage to
Mecca. Unlike Hajj which can only be done on the 12th month of the Islamic
year, Umrah can be performed at any time.
Wathoo (wadoo): a washing up ritual
done by Muslims before each of the five daily prayers known as ablution.
Zaboor -
The
Psalms
Zakat -
The
third pillar of Islam. Alms giving, charity that is given to the poor.
