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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

Must a woman seek her husband's permission to fast a make up fast (qada)?

● If there is ample time to make up for the missed fasts, a woman should seek her husband's permission before fasting.
● However, if the time is running out—such as when only the remaining days of Sha'ban are sufficient to complete the qada—she does not need his permission and must fast, because Allah’s command takes precedence over the husband's consent.

What is the ruling on praying in congregation at the mosque?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Congregational prayer (Salat al-Jama‘ah) is a communal obligation (Fard Kifayah) for resident men regarding the performance of the prescribed (obligatory) prayers. For men, praying in congregation at the mosque is better than praying elsewhere, such as at home. On the authority of Abdullah bin Umar, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'Prayer in congregation is twenty-seven degrees more excellent than the prayer of a person alone' (Reported by Bukhari & Muslim). Furthermore, on the authority of Abu Hurayrah, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'Shall I not tell you that by which Allah erases sins and raises ranks?' They said, 'Of course, O Messenger of Allah.' He said: 'Performing wudu thoroughly despite difficulties, taking many steps toward the mosques, and waiting for the next prayer after the prayer; that is your Ribat (steadfastness)' (Narrated by Muslim).
 
As for a woman, her praying in congregation at home is better for her than in the mosque, according to the saying of our Master the Prophet ﷺ: 'Do not prevent your women from attending the mosques, but their homes are better for them' (Narrated by Abu Dawood). Young boys should be encouraged to attend the mosques and congregational prayers so they may become accustomed to them. And Allah the Exalted knows best.

Someone wiped over his shoes after wearing them in a state of purity, then took them off and prayed without them?

Ablution is not invalidated by taking off leather socks or shoes after wiping over them. However, whoever takes them off after wiping must wash his feet only. If he prayed without washing his feet, he must wash his feet and repeat the prayer. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

Where should a woman following her husband or another man in prayer stand?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
If a single woman prays with a man—whether she is his wife or a non-mahram (Ajnabiyyah)—the Sunnah is for her to stand behind the Imam and be shielded by him. If the Imam is leading both a man and a woman, the man should stand to the Imam's right, and the woman should stand behind the male follower (Muqtadi). In this way, she is shielded from the Imam by the male follower and remains at a distance from the follower and his line of sight. And Allah the Exalted knows best.

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