Masjidul Aqsa: Visit and Pray

As we embark on the learning about Masjidul Aqsa and its virtues, we should continuously renew our commitment to helping free Masjidul Aqsa and make du’a for those who have sacrificed so much for that blessed land.  

Allah says: 

 

سُبْحَـٰنَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَسْرَىٰ بِعَبْدِهِۦ لَيْلًۭا مِّنَ ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْحَرَامِ إِلَى ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْأَقْصَا ٱلَّذِى بَـٰرَكْنَا حَوْلَهُۥ لِنُرِيَهُۥ مِنْ ءَايَـٰتِنَآ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْبَصِيرُ 

"Glory to (Allah) who took his servant for a journey by night from Masjid Al-Haram to Masjid Al-Aqsa whose surroundings we have blessed to show him some of our signs. Indeed, He is the All-hearing, All-seeing". [17:1] 

 

So what does Al Aqsa mean? Al Aqsa means that which is the furthest. And Masjid Al Aqsa is called Masjid Al Aqsa because it was the furthest Masjid from Makkah at the time when Islam, and Qur’an was revealed. Allah called it a masjid, because it is a place of prayer and worship. So, it is called Masjid Al Aqsa, because it is the furthest masjid that is visited from Makkah. Makkah and Madinah are relatively closer together. Masjidul Aqsa is the furthest from them.  

Now, there are other names for Masjid Al Aqsa as well, such as Baytul Maqdis which means the Sanctified House, and Bayt Al-Muqaddas, which means the Purified House. If Allah Wills, anybody who prays in Masdjiul Aqsa also becomes blessed and purified.  

There are many amazing hadith about Masjidul Aqsa. To share the summary of one, our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said that when Prophet Sulaiman finished building Masjidul Aqsa, he asked Allah for three blessings: the ability to judge people correctly; to have a kingdom, which no one in the future would ever have; and number three, that anyone who prays in Masjid Aqsa to have all his sins forgiven. So, Prophet Sulayman, who by the permission of Allah, controlled animals, Jinns, the wind, and so many other things, made du’a for people who travel to Masjidul Aqsa and pray there. What was the du’a? Prophet Sulaiman asked for Allah to totally forgive anyone who prays in Masjidul Aqsa. So, if Allah accepts this, if you pray in Masjidul Aqsa, all your (minor) sins will be forgiven. (Major sins need repentance.) Subhanallah, what an amazing reward and incentive to visit Masjidul Aqsa. The adults in the room can make it a reality for their families. All you have to do, after Jumu’ah or after work, is google travel agencies that take Muslims to Masjidul Aqsa and book your tickets. There are various groups that go during the holiday, and I promise you that you will enjoy it. Even if you do not plan to go in the upcoming months, still, pick up the phone and give them a call so you know the prices and how things work. If you and I make more effort to visit Masjidul Aqsa then the next generations will do the same. For the younger audience, make the intention that when you grow up and earn money, one of the first places you will visit will be Masjidul Aqsa InshaAllah. In the meantime, use your free time and social media to raise awareness of the virtues of Masjidul Aqsa. Even if you see clips like the adhan from Masjidul Aqsa, or recitation from Masjidul Aqsa, share it. Let the whole world know about Masjidul Aqsa.  

Another blessing bestowed by Allah on Masjidul Aqsa is that when you perform one prayer in Masjidul Aqsa you receive the reward of praying 500 prayers! The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:  

….. and a prayer in Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa is worth 500 prayers." [Ahmed] 

Subhanallah, how blessed is that land! We all know the challenges with five daily prayers but imagine getting the reward of 500 prayers within a few minutes.  

May Allah give us the ability to pray in Masjidul Aqsa and may Allah free it from all types of oppression.  

Masjidul Aqsa is a large amount of land. It is not just the Dome of the Rock, as some pictures indicate. There is a lot of misunderstanding and so just to re-emphasise, Masjidul Aqsa includes the Dome of the Rock, but the mosque in which people pray daily is called the Qibli mosque, which has a silver or greyish Dome structure. Masjidul Aqsa is also made up of other historical structures, such as the Buraaq Wall, which the Jews call the Wailing Wall. So Masjidul Aqsa is a large compound and is not limited to just mosque.  

 

I would like to end the Khutba by sharing the same message from the first part, which is that we should make the intention, and for the adults, the action should also follow up, of visiting and praying in the Masjidul Aqsa.  

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was asked: "O Messenger of Allah! Give us a ruling about (visiting) Bayt Al-Maqdis (Masjid Al-Aqsa)." He said, ‘Go and pray there. If you cannot visit it and pray there, then send some oil to be used in the lamps. [Bukhari] 

So, here the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is encouraging us to go. And even if we cannot go, we should show our deep support for it. In our times, sharing correct information about Masjidul Aqsa on our social media is a powerful way to show our support. Boycotting products and shops that would have otherwise helped the oppressors kill those who are defending Masjidul Aqsa is a powerful way to show our support. Make regular du’as, join in the marches, sign petitions, write to your MPs, boycott goods and donate to charity and encourage your family members to donate more and more, are powerful ways to show our support for Masjidul Aqsa.  

 

To summarise, we should visit, pray, and defend Masjidul Aqsa. Let Masjdul Aqsa revolve around our lives, whether it is on social media, our shopping behaviour and anything else. May Allah free Masjidul Aqsa, give safety and security to all those who are defending it, and reward everyone who is part of the struggle with Jannatul Firdaws. Ameen