Extracted from a speech delivered before Jumu’ah

Allah Almighty has made Baitullah the first and most prestigious house of blessings, guidance, and worship. It is surrounded by al-Masjid-al-Haram. For worship and guidance, the first house that Allah Rabbul ‘Alamin laid on this land is Al-Masjid-Al-Haram. Next is al-Masjid al-Aqsa, another name of which is Baitul Maqdis. Later, after a long time, Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) built al-Masjid an-Nabawi. The first mosque built by the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), is Masjid al-Quba, then Masjid an-Nabawi.

al-Masjid al-Haram, al-Masjid al-Aqsa and al-Masjid an-Nabawi - these three mosques are more blessed and virtuous than all other mosques. These three mosques contribute the most in terms of hidaya (guidance), iman (faith), and aman (safety). He who has a better relationship with these three mosques will be stronger in his faith. His security will also be stronger. He will be safer and more secured. There are three things - iman, amanah and aman (security). So, in order to get stronger in these three areas, we have to have a deep and strong relationship with these three mosques namely - Baitullah, al-Masjid al-Aqsa and al-Masjid an-Nabawi.

All three mosques convey the same message

The message of all three mosques is same - 'La-ilaha illallah', 'Ashhadu al-laa ilaha illallahu wahdahu laa sharikalah'. In other words, all three mosques convey the same message of tawhid.

All mosques of this world convey the same message. Because all other mosques, big or small, are under the guardianship of those three mosques.

From where shall we take lessons of tawhid? The lesson of tawhid is conveyed by these three mosques. The second message they convey is to believe in all the prophets sent by Allah Sub’hanahu wa Ta’ala to preach the message of tawhid, to follow their path, and to worship Allah. These three mosques also convey that Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) is the last and final messenger Ever since his emergence or since he was blessed with the gift of prophethood, he has been the sole guide for our guidance and for every aspect of worship. Allah has given him the Shariah. The book of guidance ‘Quran Majid’ was revealed to him, and his life has been made an example for us. In fact, only through this Quran, Shariah, Sunnah and Uswatun Hasanah - we can get closer to Allah, we can get Jannah. This is the message conveyed by Baitullah, Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque.

For whom did Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) pray while constructing Baitullah?

At some juncture in history or after Noah's flood, people lost trace of Baitullah. Then Allah Ta'ala revealed its traces to Ibrahim. At the command of Allah, Ibrahim (peace be upon him) rebuilt Baitullah with his son Ismail (peace be upon him). In Surah Al-Baqarah of the Holy Quran, Allah Ta'ala has also said that:

وَ اِذْ يَرْفَعُ اِبْرٰهٖمُ الْقَوَاعِدَ مِنَ الْبَيْتِ وَ اِسْمٰعِيْلُ رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا اِنَّكَ اَنْتَ السَّمِيْعُ الْعَلِيْمُ.

[And (think of the time) when Ibrahim (peace be upon him) was raising the foundations of the House of Allah and Ismail (was with him and they were saying) O our Lord! Accept (this service) from us. Surely You and You alone hear all and know all. -Surah Baqarah (02): 127]

One of the duas Ibrahim (peace be upon him) made to Allah was this-

رَبَّنَا وَ ابْعَثْ فِيْهِمْ رَسُوْلًا مِّنْهُمْ يَتْلُوْا عَلَيْهِمْ اٰيٰتِكَ وَ يُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتٰبَ وَ الْحِكْمَةَ وَ يُزَكِّيْهِمْ.

[And, our Lord, raise in their midst a Messenger from among them, who should recite to them Your verses, and teach them the Book and the wisdom, and cleanse them of all impurities. Indeed You, and You alone, are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise. -Surah Baqarah (02): 129]

For whom did Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) pray? He was the last Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). The message of Baitullah was conveyed by Allah through the words of Ibrahim (peace be upon him). That message also had the news of arrival of the last prophet. Allah Ta'ala accepted the dua of Ibrahim (peace be upon him) for the last Prophet. He sent Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (peace and blessings be upon him) as the final prophet and messenger, from the lineage of Ismail (may Allah be pleased with him), the son of Ibrahim (peace be upon him). Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the ultimate guide to be followed for all guidance and in every aspect of worship until the Day of Resurrection.

M'iraj was the highest honor from Allah to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)

Even before Ibrahim (peace be upon him) made that supplication, Allah Ta'ala had announced in the heavens that Muhammad Mustafa (peace be upon him), would be the final prophet. This declaration predates the creation of Adam, the father of mankind. The message of Baitullah not only embodies the concept of tawhid but also encompasses the belief in Khatme Nabuwwat (the finality of Prophethood). Al-Aqsa Mosque conveys the same message as well.

Ishaq is the son of Ibrahim. Ishaq’s son is Yaqub (peace be upon them). From him until ‘Isa (Jesus, peace be upon him) most of the prophets emerged from the lineage of Ishaq (peace be upon him). All of them conveyed prophecies that everyone must follow the final prophet. It is also said in the hadith -

وَلَوْ كَانَ مُوسَى حَيًّا مَا وَسِعَهُ إِلّا اتِّبَاعِي

If Musa had lived, he would have followed me.

-Musnad Ahmad, Hadith 15156; Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaiba, Hadith 26949; Shuabul Iman, Baihaqi, Hadith 174

Many prophets used to follow the Shariah of Moses. All of them preached the message of the Torah. Even in Torah and Injil, we find the news of the arrival of the last Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace).

‘Isa (peace be upon him) himself said -

وَ مُبَشِّرًۢا بِرَسُوْلٍ يَّاْتِيْ مِنْۢ بَعْدِي  اسْمُهٗۤ اَحْمَدُ.

(And I have come to you) as a bearer of glad tidings of the Messenger who will come after me and whose name will be 'Ahmad'. - Surah Saf (61): 6

The prophets before ‘Isa (Jesus, peace be upon him) also prophesied about the arrival of the last Prophet. The number of times sermons have been delivered from the mihrab of al-Masjid al-Aqsa regarding the coming of the final prophet is known only to Allah. Moreover, Allah Sub’hanahu wa Ta’ala made it unequivocally clear during the night of M’iraj. The holy Quran says-

سُبْحٰنَ الَّذِيْۤ اَسْرٰي بِعَبْدِهٖ لَيْلًا مِّنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ اِلَي الْمَسْجِدِ الْاَقْصَا الَّذِيْ بٰرَكْنَا حَوْلَهٗ لِنُرِيَهٗ مِنْ ا ٰيٰتِنَا  اِنَّهٗ هُوَ السَّمِيْعُ الْبَصِيْرُ.

Glorious is He Who made his servant travel by night from Al-Masjid-ul-Haram to Al-Masjid-ul-Aqsa whose environs We have blessed, so that We let him see some of Our signs. Surely, He is the All-Hearing, the All- Seeing. – Surah Isra (17): 1

Before migrating to Madinah Sharif, approximately eight or nine years after the Holy Prophet's prophethood, Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, bestowed upon him a great miracle. It was the highest honor from Allah to the Prophet. Allah has not bestowed such honor upon any of His other servants.

How did the M’iraj unfold? Miraj commenced from Baitullah. Allah revealed everything to the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) during a small portion of the night. It was a great miracle and mercy from Allah Ta'ala. Allah Ta'ala would make the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) Khatamun Nabiyyin (the final prophet). That's why Allah granted His beloved Prophet the privilege of witnessing the heavens through M’iraj. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) ascended successively through each heaven until Sidratul Muntaha. It is noteworthy that no being from the upper side of Sidratul Muntaha had ever descended to its lower side.

How much have we managed to comprehend about the heavens and the earth? Do we really know much? How much does science know? Science has not yet reached beyond the first heaven; all scientific research is confined to exploring the outer space below the first heaven.

The manifestation of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) as Sayyidul Mursalin was evident when he led the other prophets in prayer at Baitul Maqdis

At Mi’raj, Allah Ta'ala could have made the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) ascend directly from Baitullah to the heavens. But instead of doing that, He took him first to Baitul Maqdis. Why is that? Why did Allah do this? Angel Jibril was with him as his travelling companion. In addition, Allah Sub’hanahu wa Ta’ala miraculously gathered all the other prophets at Baitul Maqdis. Then the last Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), led everyone in prayer. Every prophet prayed behind Khatamun-nabiyyin, the last prophet Muhammad Mustafa (may Allah bless him and grant him peace).

All prophets, except ‘Isa (peace be upon him), had passed away before the advent of the Messenger of Allah. There exists no credible evidence supporting the survival of any other prophet. While historical accounts may mention one or two others, these references lack a solid foundation. As declared in the Quran, only ‘Isa (peace be upon him) has been granted the divine preservation of life by Allah Almighty.

Allah Rabbul Alamin has gathered all prophets miraculously at Baitul Maqdis. Whether the prophets were resurrected in the same bodies they were buried in or brought forth in a different form remains uncertain and undisclosed. It has been reported in authentic narrations that they were brought to Baitul Maqdis. But the details are not known to us.

However, everyone gathered and prayed behind the last Prophet Muhammad Mustafa, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. In other words, Allah Ta'ala not only designated him as Khatamun Nabiyyin (the Seal of the Prophets) and Imamul Ambiya (the Leader of the Prophets), but also conferred upon him the title of Sayyidul Mursalin (the Leader of all Messengers). He manifested it once in this world - through Prophet Muhammad’s leading of other prophets in the prayer at Baitul Maqdis on the night of Mi'raj. It will be manifested once again through al-Maqam al-Mahmud and ash-Shafa’at al-Kubra on the Day of Judgement.

The status of Muhammad as the Seal of the Prophets (Khatamun Nabiyyin) and his leadership over all other prophets were established through his role as the Imam at Baitul Maqdis. The teachings imparted at Baitul Maqdis should now conform to those of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). The former messengers who previously led as Imams at Baitul Maqdis should now show allegiance to Prophet Muhammad. Everyone must follow him. Every one of us must learn the book revealed to him. Allah says, I have made his life Uswatun Hasanah (flawless and perfect example) for you. It was clearly indicated by Allah Sub’hanahu wa-Ta’ala when He made all other prophets his muqtadi (follower). So, now all prophets must follow the final prophet. Al-Masjid an-Nabawi had the same message as Baitullah and Baitul Maqdis-   

مَا كَانَ مُحَمَّدٌ اَبَاۤ اَحَدٍ مِّنْ رِّجَالِكُمْ وَ لٰكِنْ رَّسُوْلَ اللهِ وَ خَاتَمَ النَّبِيّٖنَ وَ كَانَ اللهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيْمًا.

Muhammad is not a father of any of your men, but he is a messenger of Allah and the last of the prophets. And Allah has the Knowledge of everything. – Surah Ahzab (33): 40

Who has the right over Baitul Maqdis

Who holds the rights over Baitul Maqdis and Masjid al-Aqsa? Who has the right to lead prayers at the mihrab of this mosque? The mihrab and the pulpit belonged to the prophets. All prophets have invited people towards tawhid (the oneness of Allah) and conveyed the glad tidings of the arrival of the final prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). Those who believe in tawhid and acknowledge the prophethood of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), and recognize him as the Seal of the Prophets, following his teachings, have the exclusive right over al-Masjid al-Aqsa. What can be said about those who distorted the Torah, manipulated the laws of Musa (Moses), attempted to kill ‘Isa (peace be upon him), and claimed success in doing so? Allah Sub’hanahu wa Ta’ala says in the Holy Quran,

بَلْ رَّفَعَهُ اللهُ اِلَيْهِ  وَ كَانَ اللهُ عَزِيْزًا حَكِيْمًا

But Allah lifted him towards Himself. Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise. – Surah N’Isa (04): 158

How do the Jews and the Christians have any right over the mosque where tawhid and iman, and the glad tidings of the arrival of the final prophet were historically preached and propagated? They are the ones who distorted Torah, Injil (Bible), the shariah of ‘Isa and Musa (peace be upon them). They are the ones who killed prophets and accused them of falsehood. They are the ones who introduced kufr and polytheistic beliefs regarding ‘Isa (peace be upon him). Never can they have any rights over al-Masjid al-Aqsa. Once they distorted the teachings of their prophets and refused to accept and follow Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), they forfeited all their rights over that mosque. Initially, they forfeited their rights by distorting the shariah and the holy scriptures of their prophets. And when the final prophet arrived, they rejected him. So, how could they possibly claim any right over Masjid al-Aqsa!

Yes, those who among the Jews and the Christians accepted prophet Muhammad are fortunate. They are considered among Khair Ummah (the best of the people).

Not everyone deserves hidaya or divine guidance. In Madina, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) gave them the highest honor. They were allowed to stay in Madinah, the holiest of Islamic states (Darul Islam) the world has ever seen. They were initially accepted as citizens of this Darul Islam. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) signed a pact with them. They were asked to live in peaceful coexistence with the Muslims according to the conditions outlined in that treaty. They were allowed to stay and practice their own religion.

It's regrettable that the Jews couldn't accept the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), whom even Musa would have followed had he been alive. This prophet's Sunnah and Shariah will be followed, and his book and Shariah will be established by ‘Isa when he descends from the heavens before the end of time. The Jews of Madina betrayed the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). They even wanted to assassinate him. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) allowed them to stay in Madinah, but they forfeited that right by committing treachery. Their three main tribes were Banu Qainuka, Banu Qurayzah and Banu Nazeer. Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala and the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) have honored them by accepting them as citizens of Madina. However, they have ruined themselves by betrayal and violation of the pact. Allah says in the holy Quran:

ضُرِبَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ الذِّلَّةُ اَيْنَ مَا ثُقِفُوْۤا اِلَّا بِحَبْلٍ مِّنَ اللهِ وَ حَبْلٍ مِّنَ النَّاسِ وَ بَآءُوْ بِغَضَبٍ مِّنَ اللهِ وَ ضُرِبَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ الْمَسْكَنَةُ ذٰلِكَ بِاَنَّهُمْ كَانُوْا يَكْفُرُوْنَ بِاٰيٰتِ اللهِ وَ يَقْتُلُوْنَ الْاَنْۢبِيَآءَ بِغَيْرِ حَقٍّ ذٰلِكَ بِمَا عَصَوْا وَّ كَانُوْا يَعْتَدُوْنَ

Disgrace has been stamped over them wherever they are found, unless (saved) through a source from Allah and through a source from men, and they have returned with wrath from Allah, and misery has been stamped over them. All this is because they used to deny the signs of Allah, and to slay the prophets unjustly. All this is because they disobeyed and transgressed the limits. -Surah Ale Imran (3): 112

This is how they lived their life. Still, they didn’t give up their wicked traits. Allah Sub’hanahu wa Ta’ala has discussed their traits one by one in Surah Baqarah. There are two purposes behind this discussion. One of the purposes is to remind them of their forefathers' conduct toward Allah and the Messengers, including their conspiracies and misbehaviors.

The second purpose is to caution the Muslim Ummah against replicating their behavior.

So, this is what I had to say about the difference between the Muslims and the Christians or Jews.

The conquest of Baitul Maqdis

Baitul Maqdis came to the hands of the Muslims in 16^th Hijri, five years after the demise of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) during the caliphate of Umar (may Allah be pleased with him). The story of this conquest revives our iman. When Abu Ubaidah (may Allah be pleased with him) and the Companions besieged the Palestinian area of ​​Baitul Maqdis, they didn’t want any bloodshed. Despite all the oppression and persecutions committed by the Christians, when the Muslims conquered Baitul Maqdis, they took over the city peacefully through a treaty which also guaranteed security to the Christians. Thus, this mosque came into the hands of the real owners of Baitul Maqdis.

Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) himself participated in cleaning the mosque when he visited Baitul Maqdis in the 16th year of Hijri. The mosque wasn't just tainted with the impurities of kufr and shirk; a section of it was also filled with actual garbage and filth. Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), along with other Muslims, removed the rubbish. Consequently, the Muslims purified the mosque and established an agreement with the Christians, allowing them to reside in that area without any issues. 

This is how Baitul Maqdis came to the hands of the Muslims. Not even a single person was harmed, let alone any killing or persecutions. Baitul Maqdis was under Muslim rule for the next five hundred years. Then the Christians came and recaptured it. Muslims were massacred during that occupation. But by the mercy of Allah, within ninety years, Allah Ta'ala again gave Baitul Maqdis to Muslims through Salahuddin Ayyubi. It stayed under Muslim rule for about a thousand years.

In 1948, the British facilitated the immigration and settlement of Jews in Palestine.

First, they took over some lands through coercion. Then they started capturing more and more lands by force. Here they are, continuing to disrespect Baitul Maqdis, killing Muslims—women and even children—while we remain inactive, merely observing.

Why is this happening? Do we really deserve anything different? To what extent do we adhere to the ideology of our Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)? Besides the Emirate of Islamia in Afghanistan, is there any other Muslim country that follows Islamic rule-based governance? Allah is observing everything! From 1948 to 2023, there have been widespread oppressions and atrocities by them. Violating pacts and agreements is deeply ingrained in their nature. Additionally, they are engaged in other reprehensible and appalling acts.

This time, Allah Sub’hanau wa Ta’ala is probably showing some miracles. Do the mujahidins of Palestine have anything? But they have world superpowers with them. However, the Jews are likely somewhat apprehensive this time. Allah has miraculously bestowed courage upon the mujahidins. Now, our duty is to offer Salatul Hajat and pray abundantly for them. We should also repent and seek His forgiveness. It is due to our sins that the mujahids, women, and children are suffering and the tyrants unjustly maintain control over this blessed land.

We pray to Allah that He may liberate Baitul Maqdis. May He make the Palestinians victorious. May Allah destroy Israel. We all should supplicate and repent more. Those who have memorized qunute nazila should read the dua in their supplications, in nafl prayers and in prostrations. Those who haven’t yet memorized it should memorize it very soon. We can include this dua along with the regular dua qunut that we recite during the witr prayer.  

We should also read the following dua:

رَبَّنَاۤ اَفْرِغْ عَلَيْنَا صَبْرًا وَّ ثَبِّتْ اَقْدَامَنَا وَ انْصُرْنَا عَلَي الْقَوْمِ الْكٰفِرِيْنَ.

رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوْبَنَا وَ اِسْرَافَنَا فِيْۤ اَمْرِنَا وَ ثَبِّتْ اَقْدَامَنَا وَ انْصُرْنَا عَلَي الْقَوْمِ الْكٰفِرِيْنَ

**

اللّٰهُمَّ عَذِّبِ الْكَفَرَةَ، وَأَلْقِ فِي قُلُوْبِهِمُ الرُّعْبَ، وَخَالِفْ بَيْنَ كَلِمَتِهِمْ، وَأَنْزِلْ عَلَيْهِمْ رِجْزَكَ وَعَذَابَكَ، اللّٰهُمَّ عَذِّبِ الْكَفَرَةَ أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ الَّذِينَ يَصُدُّونَ عَنْ سَبِيلِكَ، وَيُكَذِّبُونَ رُسُلَكَ، وَيُقَاتِلُونَ أَوْلِيَاءَكَ، اللّٰهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ، وَالْمُسْلِمِينَ وَالْمُسْلِمَاتِ، وَأَصْلِحْ ذَاتَ بَيْنِهِمْ، وَأَلِّفْ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِهِمْ، وَاجْعَلْ فِي قُلُوبِهِمُ الْإِيمَانَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ، وَثَبِّتْهُمْ عَلٰى مِلَّةِ نَبِيِّكَ، وَأَوْزِعْهُمْ أَنْ يُوَفُّوا بِالْعَهْدِ الَّذِي عَاهَدْتَهُمْ عَلَيْهِ، وَانْصُرْهُمْ عَلٰى عَدُوِّكَ وَعَدُوِّهِمْ، إِلٰهَ الْحَقِّ، وَاجْعَلْنَا مِنْهُمْ

We should also keep reciting dua Yunus. May Allah give us tawfiq. Amin.

وآخِرُ دَعْوانَا أنِ الحمدُ لِلهِ رَبِّ العالَمِين.

Translation: Zahid Hossain Tawsif