Eid is a time of joy and gratitude. Yet the joy of a Muslim is never complete without remembering his oppressed brothers and sisters. Remembering the concerns and suffering of others does not spoil Eid; rather, it completes it by awakening our sense of responsibility.
Importance of al-Aqsa as Muslims
Masjid al-Aqsa was the first qiblah of Islam. It is the place where all past prophets gathered and were led in prayer by the Messenger ﷺ. And it is the site of his Night Journey and the starting point of his Ascension to the Heavens (ﷺ). It is a heritage belonging to all Muslims, not to Palestine alone.
In addition, the Prophet ﷺ said that journeys of devotion are made only to three mosques:
- al-Masjid al-Haram;
- the Prophet’s Mosque;
- and Masjid al-Aqsa. [1]
Prayer at any of the above masājid carries multiplied reward, and this status makes al-Aqsa a symbol of the unity of the Muslim Ummah.
What is the current situation of al-Aqsa?
It’s a wound that is bleeding in silence.
For the first time since the Crusades, during the last ten days of Ramadan the occupation has completely closed al-Aqsa and prevented worshippers from entering under the pretext of “emergency law”. [2]
Extreme “Temple” groups have unsurprisingly viewed this as a golden opportunity to advance their plans. Around 5,000 settlers stormed al-Aqsa during February 2026 alone, and 114 Jerusalemites were arrested in the same period. [3]
In addition, 400 residents were recently handed expulsion orders that bar them from entering al-Aqsa — some of these “orders” were apparently delivered through WhatsApp by Israeli intelligence. [4]
There is also talk of plans to carry out the so-called “animal sacrifice” ritual during the Jewish Passover (April 2026) inside the courtyards of al-Aqsa. These attempts aim to impose a new reality and divide the mosque temporally and spatially, as happened with the Ibrahimi Mosque. [5]
Why has the Ummah reached this state?
The Prophet ﷺ said,
The nations will soon gather against you as diners gather around a dish.”
It was asked,
Will we be few in number on that day?”
The Prophet ﷺ replied,
No, you will be many, but you will be like the foam of a flood. Allah will remove the fear of you from the hearts of your enemies and will cast weakness into your hearts.”
It was then asked,
What is this weakness?”
And the Prophet ﷺ responded,
Love of the world and hatred of death.” [6]
Among the causes of this state of affairs is:
- fragmentation of the Muslim ranks due to internal, sectarian, and political disputes — instead of focusing on the common enemy;
- betrayal or negligence by various Arab and Muslim governments, many of which are busy “normalising” relations at the expense of Palestinian blood and al-Aqsa.
What are the consequences of inaction?
Continued silence means that we accept the Judaisation of Jerusalem and the division of al-Aqsa. And failing to act makes us partners in negligence before Allah (subḥānahu wa ta’āla).
On the other hand, the blessing and strength of the Ummah — and the defeat of the enemy — are tied to supporting one another like a single body.
In a related narration, the Prophet ﷺ is reported to have said,
You see the believers as regards their being merciful among themselves and showing love among themselves and being kind, resembling one body, so that, if any part of the body is not well, the whole body shares the sleeplessness (insomnia) and fever with it.” [7]
Our practical duty as Muslims in Britain
| Area of action | What this involves |
|---|---|
| Supplication and spiritual solidarity | Increase du’ā in mosques, especially in sermons and in the qunūt of obligatory prayers for the people of Jerusalem. Organise awareness events in mosques to remind the younger generation of the status of al-Aqsa. |
| Financial support | Provide generous donations to trusted charities working in Jerusalem. Wealth is a vital means of sustaining resilience and resistance. |
| Political and legal pressure | Contact Members of Parliament (MPs) through letters and emails demanding condemnation of the closure of al-Aqsa. Activate the role of the Muslim community in upcoming local elections and make the Palestinian cause a voting priority. Warn against Zionist lobbying groups in Britain that work to silence any pro-Palestinian voice in universities and unions. |
| Economic boycott | Boycott products that support the occupation. Sign the petition calling upon leaders of Muslim countries to suspend trade with Israel, withdraw their ambassadors, and impose diplomatic and economic sanctions. Economic boycott is a powerful weapon, both materially and morally. |
We will keep moving forward
Ramadan was a season for strengthening resolve, uplifting spirits, and deepening faith.
Today, Eid comes as a new beginning, keeping believers in constant movement and steadfastness.
Allah (subḥānahu wa ta’āla) says,
“So they did not lose heart for what struck them in the cause of Allah, nor did they weaken or submit. And Allah loves the steadfast.
Their only words were: ‘Our Lord, forgive us our sins and our excesses in our affairs, make our feet firm, and grant us victory over the disbelieving people.’” [8]
Source: Islam21c
Notes
[1] Sahīh Muslim, 1,397a; https://sunnah.com/muslim:1397a
[4] https://english.palinfo.com/news/2026/02/06/357363/
[5] https://english.palinfo.com/jerusalem/2026/03/16/359638/
[6] Abu Dāwūd, 4,297; https://sunnah.com/abudawud:4297
[7] Sahīh Bukhārī, 6,011; https://sunnah.com/bukhari:6011
[8] al-Qur’ān, 3:146-147
