Al-Aqsa in Islam

Al-Isra wa Al-Mi’raj (The Night Journey) was a milestone in the Prophetic biography and the history of Islam. The journey has taken place on the twenty-seventh of Rajab in the year before the Hijrah

The Sunnah has an abundance of hadiths and events that indicate the great sanctity of Masjid Al-Aqsa and its significance and holiness, as well as the Prophet’s (pbuh) and his companions’ attention to the Masjid.

Special juristic rulings are associated with al-Masjid al-Aqṣā that are unique to it. This is because it was the first qiblah (direction of prayer) for the Muslims, the second house of Allah that was built for people on the earth, and the third mosque that Muslims can undertake a journey to visit. 

One can never talk about al-Aqsa Mosque without first pointing to, and stopping at the concept “blessed” that Allah always describes the mosque with. This term and some of its derivatives were repeated in many verses that mentioned al-Aqsa

To investigate the importance of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Islam, we need to clarify how the Prophet’s companions (Sahaba) perceived the reputability of Al-Aqsa Mosque based on their eternal biography and their practical perception of its significance.

Al-Aqsa Mosque holds a unique level of sanctity in Islam after the Two Holy Mosques; the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca and the Prophet Mosque [Masjid an-Nabawi] in Medina; it is the third holiest site and the first qibla for Muslims.