Jerusalem in Islam
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Jerusalem in Islam is considered a sacred city,[1] and has played a significant role in the faith. The al-Aqsa mosque of Jerusalem is considered the third holiest site in Islam, after the mosques of al-Haram and al-Nabawi. Also in particular:
- It is strongly associated with people regarded as Prophets of Islam - in particular, David, Solomon, and Jesus;
- It was the first qibla (direction of prayer) in Islam, before the Kaaba in Mecca;
- Muhammad is believed to have been taken by the flying steed Buraq to visit Jerusalem, where he prayed, and then to visit heaven, in a single night in the year 620. The Qur'anic verse (17:1) is interpreted by all widely used tafsirs (commentaries) as referring to this journey, with the term "the farthest Mosque" (al-masjid al-Aqsa) referring to the Noble Sanctuary in Jerusalem, where the mosque stands:
سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي أَسْرَى بِعَبْدِهِ لَيْلاً مِّنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الأَقْصَى الَّذِي بَارَكْنَا حَوْلَهُ
Subhana al-lazei asra b-abdihi laylan mmina al-masjidi al-haram ila al-masjidi al-aqsa al-lazei barakna haolah
| “ | Glory to He (God) Who did take His servant for a Journey by night from the Sacred Mosque to the farthest Mosque, whose precincts We did bless (Yusuf Ali's translation). | „ |
 Jerusalem |
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However, Jerusalem is not mentioned in the Qur'an, so scholars and historians have different views on its status in Islam. Some scholars claim it is holy after the cities of Mecca and Medina, some assert it is a city that contains a holy site, and some conclude it has little or no actual sanctity.[2][3][4]
