The Importance of Jerusalem (Kûdüs) for Muslims

The Importance of Jerusalem (Kûdüs) for Muslims
The city of Jerusalem is one of the oldest settlements in the world. Jerusalem, which houses the holy places of three heavenly religions, has been the scene of wars many times throughout history. In fact, in some of these wars, a large part of the city was destroyed and later rebuilt.

Jerusalem is currently a city divided between Palestine and Israel. While the Palestinian state declares Jerusalem as its capital, Israel continues to declare it as its capital. However, international communities do not recognize Jerusalem as the capital of any country.

Why is Jerusalem So Important to Us?
There are three holy cities for Muslims. These are Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem. Hz. Prophet; "Visits are only made to three places: the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, this mosque of mine in Medina, and the Masjid al-Aqsa in Jerusalem." he said.

Meymune (ra), the concubine of the Prophet (pbuh), said: "O Messenger of Allah! Tell us what the ruling is about Masjid al-Aqsa." The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) also said: "Go there (Masjid al-Aqsa) and pray in it." -The narrator of the hadith said: "At that time, this place was Daru'l-Harb (that is, it was under the rule of non-Muslims)."- (The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) later continued his words as follows: "If you cannot go there and pray in it, you will have to light its lamps. "Send olive oil there." (Abu Davud, Kitabu's-Salat, 14)

According to Islamic scholars, the olive oil mentioned here is a symbol. It was recommended by our Prophet (pbuh) to give importance to Jerusalem and Masjid al-Aqsa. As a matter of fact, in line with this recommendation, Hz. Ömer, in the 14th year of the Hijra, in 636 according to the Gregorian calendar, led the Islamic armies on the fronts of Syria, Iraq, Palestine and Egypt against Yazid b. Abu Sufyan, Ubeyde b. The surgeon and the sword of Allah Khalid b. He sent it under the command of Velid (ra). With the permission of Allah, these armies rushed from victory to victory and finally, as a result of these campaigns in Jerusalem, Hz. After Omar set foot in the lands of Jerusalem and gave protection to the non-Muslims, the Masjid al-Aqsa region, our third harem, was now taken over by the Muslims.

Masjid al-Aqsa is our first Qibla
When the Holy Quran began to be conveyed to our Prophet (pbuh), prayer, one of our most important acts of worship, was performed by turning to the Masjid al-Aqsa. The fact that our first qibla is located in the city of Jerusalem, Masjid al-Aqsa, clearly expresses the sanctity of this city for all Muslims.

Incident of Isra and Miraj
One and a half years before our Prophet (pbuh) migrated to Medina, one of the greatest miracles, the Isra and Miraj event, took place on the 27th night of the month of Rajab.

"Allah, who took his servant from the Masjid al-Haram one night and made him travel to the Masjid al-Aqsa, whose surroundings we have blessed, in order to show him some of Our signs, is free from all kinds of flaws. Surely, He is the One who hears everything and sees everything."

On the 27th night of the month of Rajab, Gabriel (as) took our Prophet (pbuh) from Mecca and took him to the Masjid al-Aqsa on a mount named Buraq. From there, the verses and some signs indicating the power of God Almighty were shown one by one and taken up to the sky. While he was ascending to the sky, he was allowed to meet with many prophets. Later, our Prophet (pbuh) had the honor of hearing the word of his Lord and was taken back to his home in Mecca in the same night.


City of Prophets
Jerusalem has always had a special place in Islam as it is a city that hosted dozens of prophets. Hz. The common religion of all subsequent prophets, starting from Adam (pbuh), is monotheism. As a matter of fact, God Almighty stated that He conveyed the same truth to all prophets. "What has been said to you is nothing other than what was said to the prophets before you." (Fussilet, 41/43)


Islamic Monuments in Jerusalem
Hz. After the conquest of Jerusalem by the Islamic armies appointed by Omar, the city was enriched with many works. Jerusalem, which was under the rule of the Umayyads, Abbasids, Ayyubids, Mamluks and Ottomans, is equipped with hundreds of Islamic works. Especially many Ottoman works that still exist today show that Jerusalem is an Islamic city with its magnificence.

In addition, many of the works that have survived to this day need to be restored. However, these repairs are prevented by the occupying Zionists and are left to be completely destroyed.
 
It is a great shame for the entire Islamic world that a place like Jerusalem, the third holiest city of Muslims, is under occupation. Although there have been Crusader and Jewish invasion attempts from time to time in history, these attempts were short-lived and Muslims conquered and saved this holy city again and again.

Jerusalem, which was in the hands of Muslims from 638 to 1099, was occupied by the Crusader armies in 1099, and 88 years later, by Selahattin Ayyubi, Jerusalem came under Muslim rule again and remained under Muslim rule until 1917.

Our ancestors conquered Jerusalem in 1517 and ruled it fairly, where Muslims, Christians and Jews lived together, for 400 years, and brought magic to this holy city. Kessels donated it.

Our greatest wish is that today's Islamic states, like our ancestors and all other Islamic states serving Jerusalem, should strengthen the resistance movements and provide their material and moral support. The sovereignty of Jerusalem must pass into the hands of servants whom Allah is pleased with, in a manner worthy of its glory.

Our belief is that one day the occupied lands of Jerusalem will be liberated. This sacred town will regain its glory and fame as before.