Islamic History in Jerusalem
In Islam, three main holy sites hold vast importance to the faith. These three sites are Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem. Mecca, of course, is the most important, followed by Medina and, finally, Jerusalem. Through researching the importance of Jerusalem to the three main faiths in the city, I found myself interested in why Muslims were drawn to the holy city. Jerusalem's vast significance to three religions is something that I find hard to believe, especially when the three religions are three of the most popular religions on the planet. It just astonishes me that one city can hold so much history for that many people.
In Islam, Jerusalem is known as al-Quds or Bayt al-Maqdis. Which translates literally as “The Holy” or “Holy House”. Now, at first glance, it can be somewhat confusing as to the origins of the importance of Jerusalem to Muslims, but when you look into the life of the Prophet Muhammad, it begins to make sense. The Qu’ran has a brief story about how the Prophet journeyed from the Great Mosque in Mecca to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. On this trip, Muhammad traveled with Gabriel to see everything there was to see in heaven and on earth. Finally, they ended up in the city of Jerusalem. After researching the matter, many believers debate whether this journey was a physical one taken on by the Prophet Muhammad or one of mysticism.
Jerusalem itself holds extreme significance in the early traditions of the Islamic religion. In the first ten years of Islam, Muslims were told to face Jerusalem and not Mecca during prayer. This was to acknowledge the relationship between Islam and the other early monotheistic traditions (Judaism and Christianity). It was not until later that the Prophet Muhammad told Muslims to face the Ka’aba in Mecca instead. His reason for doing so was to illustrate the advancement of independence in the new religion.
Looking to Jerusalem now instead of the city as a whole, we can find sites that genuinely hold significant meaning for Muslims. The Al-Aqsa Mosque, within the Haram al-Sharif, is built upon the site where it is said that Muhammad first arrived in Jerusalem on his journey. The Mosque is believed to be where Muhammad tied up his winged horse.
Jerusalem has been around for a very long time. It has seen many rulers, religions, and battles, yet it still stands. It is a monument dedicated to such a large portion of history. Throughout its entire history, the Abrahamic religions have followed and protected it. It is more than just a city of religious significance. It houses three populations that, while not always getting along, find a way to respect and worship the same city cohesively.
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