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Al-Aqsa Mosque
Author : Dr Noah Ali Salman
Date Added : 31-07-2013

 

All Praise be to Allah and blessings on His Messenger, Mohammad Peace Be upon Him

The roots of Al-Aqsa Mosque are deep in our hearts based on our faith:

1. The first of these roots is the Miraculous Night Journey (Al-Isra') as Allah Says (What means): ''Glory to (Allah) Who did take His Servant for a journey by night from the Sacred Mosque to the Farthest Mosque whose precincts We did bless-in order that We might show him some of Our Signs: for He is the one Who hears and sees (all things)." [Al-Isra'/1].

 

It is well known that The Sacred Mosque (in Mecca) is the most blessed area on earth. The Journey from this place to another place indicates that the other place has equal sanctity and blessings. Muslims in the time of Omar Bin al Khattab (May Allah Be Pleased with him) absorbed that meaning and when they got the chance physically marched towards Al Aqsa Mosque after the Prophet Peace be upon him miraculously travelled to it. From this point, Muslims glorify Al-Aqsa Mosque in the same level they glorify AL-Masjid Al-Haram or the Sacred Mosque (in Mecca).

 

2. Al-Aqsa Mosque is the blessed land resided by bad people who practiced corruption and were punished by Allah consecutively. Thus, it is the turn for a nation whose slogan is the verse, it reads (What means) as follows: "Surely Allah commands to justice and fairness and bringing (charity) to a near kinsman." [An-Nahl /90] to follow that corrupted nations.

 

In addition, this was what happened. Allah ordained that Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him and his nation after him inherit the land. All prophets approved this when they accepted him to lead them in their prayer in Al-Aqsa Mosque. For this, we notice that Allah followed the news of Al-Isra' (The prophet's miraculous night journey to Jerusalem) with the news of those who were given the book but did not abide by it and corrupted the land.

 

3. From Al-Aqsa Mosque, Prophet Mohammad Peace Be upon Him was heavenly ascended from earth to heaven and to Sidrat Al-Muntaha (in The Seventh Heaven) from where He was assigned the five daily prayers for all Muslims.

 

We all know that there are several gates to Heaven and that Gabriel (PBUH) exited from the gate opposite to Al-Sakhrah when he came down to the prophet in the cave of Hira'. This choice of the gate opposite to Al-Sakhrah makes Muslims remember Al-Aqsa mosque in every prayer. Muslims should never forget it as it is prone to terrible events. It must all the time be present in the mind of Muslims.

 

4. Al-Aqsa Mosque is the first Qiblah for Muslims (The direction that Muslims face when engaged in ritual prayer). Prophet Mohammad PBUH remained 16 months directing his prayers towards Al-Aqsa Mosque when he was in Al-Medina Al-Munawara. Then Allah, The Almighty ordered him to change the direction of Qiblah whereas; He Said (What means): ''Indeed We see the turning of your face to heaven, so We shall surely turn you to a Qiblah which you shall like; turn then your face towards the Sacred Mosque (in Mecca).'' [Al-Baqara/144].

 

Qiblah means the direction glorified by Allah. Therefore, Allah enjoined Muslims to direct themselves to this Qiblah (Al-Aqsa Mosque) to make them feel the blessings of this place.

 

This glory of being the Qiblah does not fade by being directed to follow another Qiblah. At which prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his flowers were directed to in their prayers remains a sacred place for us until the Day of Judgment. Its holiness is the same as that of Ka'ba. Believers must be as compassionate and protective towards it as they feel towards Ka'ba.

 

5. Al Aqsa is the third holiest site in Islam. Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said: "No mosque is to be specially headed to in a journey except for three: Masjid al-Haram (in Mecca), the Aqsa Mosque (in Jerusalem) and my Mosque (Al Masjed Al Nabawi in Medina)." [Agreed upon].

 

All mosques are the same in virtue except for these three, which are distinguished in sanctity and respect. The Haram (the inviolate place) is the place sanctified by God and His good believers. In the same way Muslims glorify the Masjid al-Haram in Holy Mecca and the Mosque of the Prophet (Al-Masjed Al-Nabawi) in Al-Medina Al-Munawarah, they must glorify the Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, and they must protect it.

 

6. A prayer in al Aqsa Mosque is worth 500 prayers performed in any other mosque as the Prophet (PBUH) said.

 

For this reason, our noble ancestors made it a point to travel and stay in Jerusalem for certain times. They made generous donations for this purpose seeking the multiple rewards from Allah and to be always ready to defend the Aqsa Mosque and protect it. For this reason, the people of Jerusalem and those who live around the area are in a state of mobilization until the Day of Judgment.

 

7. We are a nation that sees no difference between any of the Messengers sent by Allah. We believe in them all and respect them all; thus, any mark in Jerusalem related to any Prophet, is precious to us.

This religious fact is a special privilege for the Nation of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) Him, and that is why Allah made them witnesses over mankind and custodians for all the holy icons of all religions.

 

For these reasons, the Sacred Land and Al-Aqsa Mosque are precious to all Muslims. For that reason, they rallied to support the Jerusalem financially and spiritually while every generation is keen to leave an impact reminding other generations of the value of this place. Omar bin Al-Khattab (May Allah Be Pleased with him) and all Muslim leaders till today are doing so. We all know the Hashemite architecture in Jerusalem from the days of Sherif Hussain bin Ali to the days of King Hussain bin Talal (may Allah have mercy on him) who shielded the Dome of the Rock with gold pieces. King Abdullah II re-constructed the Saladin's Minbar and sent it back to its place at Al Aqsa Mosque, and he gave his directions to build a new Minaret in the Mosque. May Allah reward them all.

 

These are the roots of Al Aqsa Mosque in the hearts of Muslims. It is rooted in our consciousness and never escapes our thought as long as we read The Words of Allah Who Says (What means): "Glory to (Allah) Who did take His servant for a Journey by night from the Sacred Mosque to the farthest Mosque, whose precincts We did bless, in order that We might show him some of Our Signs: for He is the One Who hears and sees (all things)." [Al Isra'/1].

 

Peace be upon you all.

 

 

A Speech by the late Sheikh Noah Al Qudah delivered at the Hashemite Scientific Sessions organized by the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs. (The original speech has been edited for publication.)

 

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the Islamic ruling on parents asking son to divorce his wife?

Praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds.

If their asking him to do so is justified in Sharia, then there is no blame on him to obey them. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.

Is it permissible for a woman in her waiting period (Iddah) after her husband's death to leave her house and mix with non-Mahrams?

It is not permissible for a woman in her waiting period (Iddah) after the death of her husband to leave her house except for a necessity, such as for medical treatment, nor is she allowed to mix with non-Mahrams. A woman is not permitted to mix with anyone other than her husband or Mahrams, whether she is in her waiting period or not. However, there is no harm in accepting condolences from those who visit and responding to their inquiries about her well-being. And Allah Knows Best.

Does the deceased hear the supplications or recitations of those visiting his/her grave? And does making constant supplications for the deceased who didn`t adhere to performing the prescribed prayers ameliorate his/her affliction?

Praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds.

In principle, the dead hear the living since it has been rigorously authenticated that the Prophet (PBUH) ordered the bodies of the idolaters slain in the Battle of Badr to be buried. He then approached them and called them one by one and said: "Have you found what your Lord promised to be true for we have found what our Lord promised us to be true." Umar asked him: "O messenger of God! Why do you speak to lifeless bodies?" The Prophet (PBUH) replied: "By the One Who has sent me with the truth! You do not hear my words better than they do except that they cannot respond." [Agreed upon].

However, not all the deceased are in the same situation because Allah The Almighty Knows: "Before them is a Partition till the Day they are raised up." [Al-Mu`minun/100]. Moreover, supplication reaches the deceased. And Allah Knows Best..

 

If the fasting of nine years has accumulated upon me, I wish to make them up by dividing them over several years, as it is difficult to fast them all in one year due to their large number. Consequently, expiation will be due on me. Is it permissible to pay the expiation after completing all the make-up fasts, even if it takes years?
 
 
 
 
 

If the fasting was broken due to a valid legal excuse, it is permissible to divide the make-up fasts over several years based on one’s ability. However, if a person passes away before completing the make-up fasts, the heirs must fast on their behalf or feed one needy person for each missed day.
If the fasting was broken without a valid excuse, one must hasten to make it up. Should the person die before completing the make-up fasts, the heirs must either fast or feed the needy on their behalf. As for the expiation, it is calculated after completing all the make-up fasts. And Allah Knows Best.
 
 
 
 
 

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