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Masjid Haram & Masjid Aqsa: Divinely Connected

Al-Ka’bah al-Mushrrafah / Al-Masjid al-Haram & Al-Masjid al-Aqsa

In the Holy Qur’an, Allah سبحانه وتعالى has used the terms Al-Masjid al-Aqsa and Al-Masjid al-Haram in the same verse [17:1]. The Prophet’s ﷺ Night Journey connected the two places in sacredness and holiness. By revealing this verse, Allah سبحانه وتعالى described the two places as a Masjid, an Islamic place of worship, at a time when Masjid Haram was surrounded with idols, and the land of Masjid Aqsa was desolate. Some have claimed it was used as a dumpsite. The well-known prophetic statement [Bukhari, #3366] reported by Sayyiduna Abu Dharr (Allah is pleased with him) also mentions the two holy places: al-Masjid al-Haram and al-Masjid al-Aqsa. The Ka’bah is the focal point of Al-Masjid al-Haram which the Haram surrounds. Al-Masjid al-Aqsa is the focal point of the region described in the Holy Qur’an as Al-Ardh al-Mubarak (The Land of Barakah) [Qur’an, 17:1; 21:71, 81]. The table below outlines the connection and similarities between the two Islamic divinely sanctified places.

Al-Ka’bah al-Mushrrafah /

Al-Masjid al-Haram

 Al-Masjid al-Aqsa
1 One of only two masjids mentioned by name in the Holy Qur’an and in the same verse. One of only two masjids mentioned by name in the Holy Qur’an and in the same verse.
2 Starting point of the Israa / Night Journey Destination of the Israa
3 The holy Ka’bah is the focal point of al-Masjid al-Haram Al-Masjid al-Aqsa is the focal point of Land of Barakah / al-Ardh al-Mubarak
4 Is the direction of prayer (qiblah) Was the direction of prayer (qiblah)
5 First masjid to be established on earth Second masjid to be established on earth
6 According to one report, Prophet Adam (Peace be upon him) laid the foundation. According to one report, Prophet Adam (Peace be upon him) laid the foundation 40 years after holy Ka’bah
7 Reconstructed by two prophets who were father and son, Prophet Ibrahim (Peace be upon him) & Prophet Ismaeel (Peace be upon him) Reconstructed by two prophets who were father and son, Prophet Dawud (Peace be upon him) & Prophet Sulaiman (Peace be upon him)
8 Prophet Ibrahim (Peace be upon him) supplicated to Allah سبحانه وتعالى after its completion Prophet Sulaiman (Peace be upon him) supplicated to Allah سبحانه وتعالى after its completion
9 The Haram surrounds the city of Makkah The Land of Barakah / al-Ardh al-Mubarak surrounds the city of Bayt al-Maqdis.
10 Makkah is a land of Barakah Bayt al-Maqdis is a land of Barakah
11 Reward for prayers are multiplied in Masjid Haram Reward for prayers are multiplied in Masjid Aqsa
12 The holy Ka’bah was the main reason for the urban development of Makkah Al-Masjid al-Aqsa was the main reason for the urban development of Bayt al-Maqdis
13 The original design of the holy Ka’bah is similar to the plan of al-Masjid al-Aqsa The design of al-Masjid al-Aqsa is similar to the original plan of holy Ka’bah
14 Masaajid are oriented towards the holy Ka’bah The al-Masjid al-Aqsa enclave is oriented towards Makkah
15 The beginning of the earth was from Makkah The Place of Resurrection will be the Land of Barakah / al-Ardh al-Mubarak
16 Many prophets visited al-Masjid al-Haram Many prophets visited al-Masjid al-Aqsa
17 The boundaries of the holy Ka’bah are permanent The boundaries of Al-Masjid al-Aqsa are permanent

 

For further reading and research on this subject, please refer to:

Urdu – مقامات مقدسہ اور اسلام کا اجتماعی نظام ، مصنف: حکیم الاسلام حضرت قاری محمد طیب صاحب رحمۃ اللہ علیہ

English -Makkah and Islamicjerusalem, A Divine Prototype and Sacred Concepts, by Haithem F. Al-Ratrout

Prepared by Maulana Mushtaq Shaikh, Masjid Bilal, Toronto

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