The recent closure of Masjid al-Aqsa by the Israeli occupation forces has once again brought to light the ongoing violations of one of the most sacred sites in Islām. For many Muslims, this may have been the first time they heard of Masjid al-Aqsa, such has been the neglect with which the Ummah has treated it. Others have allowed a feeling of powerlessness to overcome them leading to a sense of indifference on the basis that there is nothing they can do to help. Leave it to Allāh to deal with.
Neglecting Masjid al-Aqsa on the basis that there is very little we can do to help is contrary to the spirit of the advice given to this Ummah by the best of creation, the Prophet Muḥammed (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam). He urged us to visit Masjid al-Aqsa to pray there and that if this were not possible, we should send oil to be used in its lamps and that whoever did so would get the same reward as if they prayed there.[1]
This ḥadīth demonstrates not only the virtue of Masjid al-Aqsa for this Ummah but also points towards the importance of not belittling any deed that will help this special mosque. With this in mind, what follows are 5 things we can all do to support Masjid al-Aqsa in these difficult times:
1. Instil the love of Masjid al-Aqsa in the hearts of our children
Our children are raised with stories about Makkah and Madīnah, the land where the Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) was born, where he lived and where he died. This was the land of the hijrah and where the stories of the great companions took place. Our homes are adorned with photographs of the haramain and many children have been blessed to have even travelled to them on pilgrimage. As such, the love of these mosques is firmly implanted in the hearts of our children to the extent that any rumours of any attempt to violate the sanctity of these places provokes the most powerful of emotions.
In much the same way, we must educate ourselves and our children about the great virtues of Masjid al-Aqsa, the first qiblah of Islām, the second mosque ever built on earth by either Ādam (ʿalayhi al-Salām) or the angels, the place from which the Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) ascended to the heavens, and the only place in the heavens or the earth that every one of Allāh’s prophets, all 124,000 of them, gathered together to pray behind their leader, our beloved Prophet Muḥammed (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam). It is indeed the masjid where numerous prophets lived and were buried and it will be the focal point in the events leading to the end of times.
Friends of Al-Aqsa has produced a number of storybooks and activity workbooks designed for younger children to teach them about Masjid al-Aqsa. These are excellent resources I would encourage us to buy for our own homes and as gifts for others.[2]
When our children’s hearts are filled with the love of Masjid al-Aqsa, they will take steps towards its liberation in future that our generation has been unable to.
2. Start a weekly study circle about the history of Palestine and Masjid al-Aqsa
Educate your local community by beginning a weekly study circle on the history of Palestine and Masjid al-Aqsa. This can take place in the mosque, a local community centre or even your own home.
Do not wait for a specialist speaker to arrive; be that speaker. The best way to learn about anything is to teach it. If you do not know about Palestine, there are a number of resources available from Friends of Al-Aqsa and other groups. You will find the journey truly enlightening and spiritually uplifting and, before you know it, you will have become the local expert on Palestine in your community.
3. Dedicate the Friday Khutbah to Masjid al-Aqsa
Ask your imām to dedicate a khutbah on Masjid al-Aqsa so that the community becomes aware of the importance of the mosque and the current violations that are taking place there. Templates have already been produced and are available for download.[3]
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Also read: Al-Aqsa Eid Khutbah
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4. Visit Masjid al-Aqsa
Organise a family holiday to Masjid al-Aqsa. The cost of such a holiday is a fraction of the cost to visit Makkah and Madīnah. A week-long trip to Jerusalem will set you back about £600 per person which will cover your flights, transfers, accommodation, guided tours and two meals a day. Anyone who has had the blessing of visiting the masjid for even one prayer will testify to the magnificence of the experience and how they returned even more determined to liberate al-Aqsa, such was the love that was nurtured in their hearts through their journey there. By travelling to this blessed land and walking in the footsteps of the prophets you will witness first-hand the daily humiliations that ordinary Palestinians have to endure at the hands of the Israeli occupation forces. No amount of reading or listening to lectures can bring home the horrors of living under occupation as witnessing it for yourself. Finally, visiting Masjid al-Aqsa will demonstrate to the Israeli Occupying Forces that, despite their efforts, the Ummah has not forgotten Masjid al-Aqsa and that their attempts to destabilise it are not going unnoticed.
Of course, there is a chance that even with all your efforts and preparation the Israeli occupation forces will refuse you entry and deport you to your country after lengthy questioning and detention. As intimidating as this may sound, this in itself will allow you to live the Palestine experience and return even more emboldened to free Masjid al-Aqsa from those who have violated its sanctity.
It is quite possible that the possibilities of a failed journey may lead you to feel it is neither worth the money nor the effort, but we should remember that until we try, we will never know. Secondly, even the Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) himself and his companions set out to make Umrah to the Kaʿbah and were stopped from entering and had to return to Madīnah. It would be in those blessed footsteps that we would be walking. Thirdly, if we were to quantify the experience of trying to please Allāh by reviving the ḥadīth of visiting Masjid al-Aqsa and the opportunity to experience, empathise and subsequently share what the average Palestinian goes through on a daily basis, we would realise that the money spent is an investment, the growth of which we will see in the future in our deeds, our children and our ākhirah, inshāAllāh.
5. Pray for Masjid al-Aqsa
Let not any period of your supplicating to Allāh pass without mentioning Masjid al-Aqsa. We pray for those things that are beloved to us and are meaningful to us. The more we pray for something, too, the more beloved and meaningful it becomes. Ultimately, it is Allāh that will liberate Masjid al-Aqsa in a manner that He chooses but will we be part of that struggle?
Sign petition: Ban occupying forces from closing Al Aqsa Mosque
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Source: www.islam21c.com
First published in 2017
Notes:
[1] Ahmed
[2] http://www.foa.org.uk/product-category/childrens-section/
[3] http://www.foa.org.uk/publications/#khutbas
Template khutba for this Friday available here: http://www.foa.org.uk/publication/importance-of-masjid-al-aqsa-khutba/
We are sleeping, we can easily liberate it when we will become unite but we are occupied by materialistic world we are occupied by Shaitan. We should teach our children about the importance of Masjid Aqsa in Muslim ummah and it is same as Kabba is for Muslims but we have left our emaan. We should remember Saladin Ayyubi who said how I can eat food when masjid Aqsa is under crusaders that was love of Masjid Aqsa in the heart of Saladin Ayyubi. We should also bring that love in our hearts than only we can liberate Masjid Aqsa and I hope and pray it will come under Muslim rule very quickly. Our Muslim rulers have become Munafiqeen
Dear Brothers, I pray to Allah for the restoration of this Holy Masjid to us. But at the same time I also pray to Allah for the unity of the Muslims all over the world. We all should assemble under one banner that is Muslim banner.
We do not have a leader to obey the commands as was in the early days of Islam. We may have difference of opinions, but that should not divide us. Islam is for unity.
While praying for the restoration of Masjidul Haqsa to us, I also pray for the unity of the muslims and for a leader who can guide and lead all of us.
May Allah protect us. Ameen
Learn from the history of Islam. No other way is fruitful except following the footsteps of Hazrat Umar and Salahuddin Ayoobi. This 1.7 billion population is worthy of making history again. Create a defence force out of 1.7 billions instead of territorial force. Do not give alms to them but make them a collective force instead. Monarch from Arabia see how to call Ummah for unity and defending Islam.
Whats needed is what the Shari’ah informed ie liberation via Muslim Armies but that wont happen as these Trecherous leaders in the Muslims world will stop it so then thr only entity that Allāh SWT gave is the Khilafah which is responsible for the well being of the Deen and Muslims. What is said above is not solution but rather something additional ie whats required is physical liberation by Muslim armies and we do the above in conjunction
All due respect that really incorrect if anything. One does not just depends of these but one takes practical steps, imagine if one wanted to get married and only applied these steps…
Responsible for Al aqsa Mosque invasions is Saudi Arabia, Egypt and some arab world leaders.
I pray from bottom of my ❤️ for masjid al aqsa to be free from the hands of Israel. We all need to unite and stand against these people
Ameen Sumaah Ameen
I pray with all my heart for masjid alsqsa.
But more public awareness is needed.
Masjid aqsa will never be liberated untill the arabs become real muslims. We can pray!
I feel (no document) reading Sura Bani Israil will help us liberate Masjidul Aksa.
Just 1 question:
What is the religious argument/proof for the obligation to defend or keep control over a geographical location/venue?
The answer is in the 2nd paragraph of this article:
“Neglecting Masjid al-Aqsa on the basis that there is very little we can do to help is contrary to the spirit of the advice given to this Ummah by the best of creation, the Prophet Muḥammed (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam). He urged us to visit Masjid al-Aqsa to pray there and that if this were not possible, we should send oil to be used in its lamps and that whoever did so would get the same reward as if they prayed there.[1]”
Get it now?
None of the above will actually stop the occupation and aggression. The real solution is to aid in the work for the establishment of Islam similar to the one of umar and salah uddeen. Until then all your efforts will go in vain.
Well uh- that was a little harsh not gonna lie, but its true :((