The History of Al-Quds Al-Sharif: City of Prophets, Steadfastness, and the Prophet’s Night Journey

Al-Quds Al-Sharif, also known as Bayt al-Maqdis or Jerusalem, is a jewel among cities in Islam, the land of prophets and messengers, the cradle of revelation, and a central point for the Abrahamic faiths. Its history spans thousands of years, a narrative rich with Jihad (struggle in the path of Allah), construction, conquest, and steadfastness, reflecting its eternal significance in the hearts of billions of Muslims.

The Status of Al-Quds in Islam:

Al-Quds is considered the third holiest city in Islam, after Makkah Al-Mukarramah and Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah. Its status is immense and pivotal for several reasons:

• Al-Isra’ wal-Mi’raj (The Night Journey and Ascension): It is the sacred destination of Al-Isra’. Allah (SWT) miraculously transported His servant and Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) by night from Al-Masjid Al-Haram in Mecca to Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa in Al-Quds. From there, he ascended to the heavens in Al-Mi’raj, witnessing some of Allah’s greatest signs. This miraculous journey underscores the sanctity of the place and its deep connection to the message of monotheism and the final prophethood.
• The First Qibla for Muslims: Before the direction of prayer was changed to the Kaaba in Mecca, Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa served as the first Qibla (direction of prayer) for Muslims for over sixteen months. This highlights its early and profound spiritual significance in the formation of the Ummah (Muslim nation).
• The Second Mosque Built on Earth: Abu Dharr Al-Ghifari (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: “I asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, which mosque was built first on earth?’ He said, ‘Al-Masjid Al-Haram.’ I said, ‘Then which?’ He said, ‘Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa.’ I said, ‘How much time was between them?’ He said, ‘Forty years.'” This demonstrates its ancient origins and its connection to monotheism from the dawn of divine messages.
• Land of Ribat and Blessing: The Quran describes it as “the land which We have blessed around it.” Many prophetic Hadith (sayings of the Prophet) encourage undertaking journeys to it, highlighting the virtue of praying there and engaging in Ribat (steadfastness/guarding its frontiers), making it a blessed and holy land in Muslim belief.

Prominent Islamic Historical Milestones in Al-Quds:

Al-Quds has witnessed glorious chapters under the banner of Islam, embodying values of justice, tolerance, and the strength of faith:

• The Conquest by Umar (638 CE): Al-Quds was conquered during the era of Amir al-Mu’minin Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him). It was a peaceful conquest, where Umar himself entered the city and received its keys from Patriarch Sophronius, granting its people the Umar Covenant (Al-Ahd al-Umari), which guaranteed their safety, property, and churches. This conquest stands as a unique model of Islamic tolerance and justice in dealing with people of other faiths.
• The Umayyad Era (661-750 CE): During this period, Al-Quds underwent significant construction and development. Caliph Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan ordered the construction of the Dome of the Rock, which remains one of the most magnificent and oldest Islamic monuments standing today. He also had Al-Aqsa Mosque built to its current form. These architectural achievements added beauty and grandeur to the Haram Al-Sharif (Noble Sanctuary) and solidified Al-Quds’ status as an Islamic center.
• The Ayyubid Conquest by Saladin (1187 CE): After remaining in Crusader hands for over ninety years, the heroic Muslim leader Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi liberated Al-Quds. This victory was characterized by mercy and forgiveness; Salah al-Din ensured the safety of its inhabitants, preserved their lives and honor, and restored Al-Aqsa Mosque’s Islamic sanctity, cleansing the Dome of any distortions. This reaffirmed Islamic values of justice and compassion even in victory.
• The Mamluk and Ottoman Periods (1260-1917 CE): Al-Quds continued under Islamic rule for many centuries, during which numerous schools, mosques, and hospices were built, and the city walls were renovated under Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. These periods reflect the ongoing Islamic care and attention to the holy city and the flourishing of knowledge and religious life within it.

Al-Quds Al-Sharif, with its deep historical and spiritual dimensions, remains a symbol of Jihad (struggle) and steadfastness in the way of Allah, and a testament to the greatness of the divine messages that have graced it. It is a city of peace for which the hearts of Muslims yearn for liberation from occupation, the defense of its holy sites, and the restoration of justice to its rightful owners, Insha’Allah (God willing).

The specific modern-day name “Palestine” (فلسطين) is not mentioned by name in the Holy Quran.

However, the geographical region commonly understood as Palestine is referred to and highly revered in the Quran through various terms that denote its blessed and holy status.

Here’s how the Quran refers to this significant region:

1. Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa (The Farthest Mosque):

   The most direct and significant reference is in Surah Al-Isra (17:1):

   “سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي أَسْرَىٰ بِعَبْدِهِ لَيْلًا مِّنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الْأَقْصَى الَّذِي بَارَكْنَا حَوْلَهُ لِنُرِيَهُ مِنْ آيَاتِنَا ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ”1

   “Exalted is He who took His Servant by night from Al-Masjid Al-Haram to Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him2 of Our signs. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing.”

   • Al-Masjid³ Al-Aqsa is unanimously identified by Islamic scholars as the mosque in Jerusalem (Al-Quds). The phrase “whose surroundings We have blessed” explicitly refers to the entire geographical area around Al-Aqsa, which includes the historical land of Palestine.
2. Al-Ard Al-Muqaddasah (The Holy Land):

   In Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:21), Prophet Musa (Moses) addresses his people:

   “يَا قَوْمِ ادْخُلُوا الْأَرْضَ الْمُقَدَّسَةَ الَّتِي كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ وَلَا تَرْتَدُّوا عَلَىٰ أَدْبَارِكُمْ فَتَنقَلِبُوا خَاسِرِينَ”4

   “[Moses said], ‘O my people, enter the Holy Land which Allah has assigned to you and do not turn back [from fighting in Allah’s cause] and [thus] become losers.'”5

   • Many classical and contemporary Islamic scholars interpret “the Holy Land” here as referring to the region of Palestine. This verse links the land to the prophetic lineage and its divine designation.
3. “The land which We had blessed” (الأرض التي باركنا فيها):

   Several verses refer to a “blessed land” in the context of various prophets. For example, regarding Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and Prophet Lut (Lot) in Surah Al-Anbiya (21:71):

   “وَنَجَّيْنَاهُ وَلُوطًا إِلَى الْأَرْضِ الَّتِي بَارَكْنَا فِيهَا لِلْعَالَمِينَ”

   “And We delivered him and Lot to the land which We had blessed for the worlds.”

   • This “blessed land” is widely interpreted by exegetes to refer to the Levant (Bilad al-Sham), a region that includes modern-day Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan. This highlights its sacredness and importance throughout prophetic history.

Why the direct name “Palestine” is not used:

The term “Palestine” as a geographical and political designation largely gained prominence later in history, particularly under Roman rule (Syria Palaestina) and through subsequent historical periods. The Quran uses names and descriptions that were relevant to the linguistic and historical context of its revelation, emphasizing the sacred and blessed nature of the land itself rather than its contemporary political or geographical label.

Therefore, while the explicit word “Palestine” is absent, the Quran unequivocally refers to the land that constitutes Palestine today, primarily through the mention of Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa and descriptions of the “Holy Land” and the “blessed land,” establishing its profound spiritual and historical significance in Islam.

From an Islamic perspective, Al-Quds (Jerusalem) is unequivocally considered part of the Holy Land (الأرض المقدسة) which is intrinsically linked to Palestine. Islamic belief and history affirm its status as an integral part of the Muslim heritage and the land of numerous prophets.

Here’s a breakdown of the Islamic viewpoint:

1. Divine Sanctity and Islamic Heritage:

   • Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa: As mentioned in the Quran (17:1), Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa, located in Al-Quds, is the third holiest site in Islam. The verse explicitly states “whose surroundings We have blessed,” referring to the broader land of Palestine. This makes the entire region sacred.
   • First Qibla: Al-Quds was the first direction of prayer for Muslims before the Kaaba in Mecca. This established its foundational importance in early Islamic history.
   • Land of Prophets: Many prophets revered in Islam (such as Ibrahim/Abraham, Musa/Moses, Isa/Jesus, Dawud/David, Sulaiman/Solomon, peace be upon them all) are associated with Al-Quds and the surrounding land. Muslims believe in the continuous chain of prophethood, and Al-Quds is a central location for this chain.
   • Prophet Muhammad’s Isra’ and Mi’raj: The miraculous Night Journey from Mecca to Al-Aqsa and subsequent ascension to the heavens from Al-Quds solidifies its spiritual status as directly connected to the seal of prophethood, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

2. Historical Islamic Rule and Custodianship:

   • Umar’s Conquest (638 CE): The city was brought under Muslim rule peacefully by Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab, who granted the “Umar Covenant” guaranteeing the rights and protection of its Christian and Jewish inhabitants. This established a long period of Islamic custodianship marked by tolerance and preservation of holy sites for all faiths.
   • Saladin’s Liberation (1187 CE): After the Crusader occupation, Saladin liberated Al-Quds and upheld the Islamic tradition of protecting its inhabitants and religious sites.
   • Continuous Islamic Presence: For the vast majority of its history since the 7th century, Al-Quds has been under Muslim governance (Umayyad, Abbasid, Fatimid, Ayyubid, Mamluk, Ottoman), fostering a unique multi-religious character under Islamic principles.

3. Palestinian Identity:

   • From an Islamic perspective, the Palestinian people are the inheritors and protectors of this Islamic legacy in Al-Quds and the broader land of Palestine. Their presence and struggle are seen as integral to the defense of Muslim holy sites and rights.
   • The Islamic world views East Jerusalem, which contains the Old City and Al-Aqsa Mosque, as the rightful capital of a future Palestinian state.

Conclusion from an Islamic Perspective:

From an Islamic theological and historical standpoint, Jerusalem (Al-Quds) is intrinsically part of Palestine, and its sovereignty belongs to the Muslim Ummah (nation), with the Palestinian people being its direct custodians. The current Israeli control over East Jerusalem since 1967 is viewed as an occupation. The Islamic world consistently calls for the liberation of Al-Quds and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on its profound religious significance, historical Muslim custodianship, and the rights of the Palestinian people.