Jerusalem and Islam

Jerusalem is considered to be a holy city by the three major, monotheistic religions of the world: Christianity, Islam and Judaism. This website shall explore why Jerusalem plays an important role in Islam

During the "Night Journey" and "Ascension", the prophet Muhammad was transported from Mecca to Jerusalem, accompanied by the Angel Gabriel. It was at Jerusalem where, according to the Islamic faith, he ascended through the seven heavens. Here the prophet Muhammad met several prophets such as Adam, John, Jesus, Moses, and Abraham. In the last heaven, he approached the Throne of God and stood before Him. This is known as Mi'raj.

The Dome of the Rock and Al-Aksa Mosque were both built in Jerusalem during the seventh century. The Dome of the Rock contains the rock where it is believed that Muhammad sat upon before ascending to heaven. This defined, to Muslims, Jerusalem as the "Holy House" that was mentioned in the Qur'an. It is the third of the majoy Holy Cities in Islam, after Mecca and Madinah. The Dome of the Rock also houses the rock upon which the Muslims believe that Abraham almost sacfriced Ishmael. This same story occurs in both the Jewish and Christian fatih, however instead of Ishmael, it is Isaac that is almost sacrficed.

Muslims were first instructed by Prophet Muhammad to pray towards Jerusalem, following Jewish custom, instead of Mecca as they were in Mecca during that period of time. The most usual Muslim name for Jerusalem is Al-Quds, which means "Holy City".

Jerusalem has always been the center of focus in Judaism. The Western Wall, all that remains of the Temple Of Solomon, is located in Jerusalem. The Western Wall has been the focus of many prayers. The ancient cemetery of the Mount of Olives is where millions of Jews have been buried. Jerusalem became an important symbol in Judaism, and it is where many Jews long to return to.

Jerusalem was where Christians believe that Jesus had lived, died, and was resurrected. When Jerusalem was under the Ottoman Empire, the rights of the various Christian churches to custody of the Christian holy places in Jerusalem were defined during the nineteenth century. There is currnetly a large population of Christians living in Jerusalem.

Islam, Judaism and Christianity are struggling over who Jerusalem rightlfully belongs to. Judaism and Christianity feels that Jerusalem is rightfully the Jews whereas Islam feel that Jerusalem is theirs. This controversy is due to statements made in their respective Holy Texts, such as the Bible, the Torah, and the Qur'an. The holy ground is divided between these religions.

The Western View of this issue is that the Jerusalem belongs to the Jews. Most agree that the land rightfully belongs to the Jews because the site of Jerusalem has been situated as a Holy Place in Judaism for the longest time in history, and that the Muslims already have two holy sites that rank above Jerusalem.