The Virtues of Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa and Al-Shaam

The Virtues of Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa and Al-Quds

Al-Masjid al-Aqsa is one of the three greatest masajid in Islam. It ranks third after al-Masjid al-Haram in Makkah and al-Masjid al-Nabawi in Madinah. It is the only masjid mentioned in the Qur’an by name other than al-Masjid al-Haram. It was the first Qiblah of the Muslims. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ prayed for more of his life towards al-Masjid al-Aqsa than he did towards the Ka'bah when the Qiblah was changed after his migration to Madinah. The land of Al-Aqsa or Al-Quds is known as Jerusalem to the Christians and Jews. This land is considered sacred as well as blessed in their religions. It was the land of the Prophets of Allah عليهم السلام. Add to that, all three religions believe it to be the site where the events leading to the End of the World will unfold.

Al-Quds is at the heart of the larger blessed land of Ash-Shaam (or the Levant) which refers to the lands that include modern-day Syria, Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, Northeast Egypt, Southwest Turkey, parts of Northwest Saudi Arabia, and some nearby areas around them. Allah immortalized the mention of Jerusalem and Masjid al-Aqsa till the Day of Judgement when He told us,

سُبْحَـٰنَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَسْرَىٰ بِعَبْدِهِۦ لَيْلًۭا مِّنَ ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْحَرَامِ إِلَى ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْأَقْصَا ٱلَّذِى بَـٰرَكْنَا حَوْلَهُۥ لِنُرِيَهُۥ مِنْ ءَايَـٰتِنَآ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْبَصِيرُ

“Glory be to the One who Took His Servant (Prophet Muhammad ﷺ) by night from al-Masjid al-Haram to al-Masjid al-Aqsa, whose surroundings We have Blessed, to show him of Our signs. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing.” [Surah al-Isra, 1]

Al-Isra’ wal-Mi’raj is one of the greatest signs and miracles that were given to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ after the Qur’an. Al-Isra’ refers to the Night Journey from Makkah to Jerusalem and Al-Mi’raj refers to the Ascension into the Heavens.

Linguistically, Al-Quds refers to a sanctified or purified place. By purified it could refer to the fact that oppressors or evil people will never manage to take control of it. We see throughout history that the different waves of the Crusaders, the Mongols that shook the world, the mighty armies of Napolean Bonaparte and many others all met their match in Palestine. This practice of rooting out injustice and oppression from Palestine will continue till it reaches its pinnacle with the return of Prophet Isa عليه السلام, the true Messiah who will put an end to the Dajjal or the Anti-Christ and establish a Kingdom of Justice upon Islam.

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The Prophet ﷺ said: “Do not travel (specifically) to any masjid except three: al-Masjid al-Haram, al-Masjid al-Aqsa, and this masjid of mine.” [Bukhari]

When this hadith occurred, al-Masjid al-Aqsa was not under Muslim control. This was a form of prophecy and a positive mindset of the Prophet ﷺ that was shared with his sahaba.

There is a consensus (ijma) of the scholars that there is a special reward for praying in al-Masjid al-Aqsa. It was narrated that Abu Dharr رضي الله عنه said, "We were discussing when we were with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), which is better, the Masjid of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) or Bayt al-Maqdis (Jerusalem). The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, 'One prayer in my masjid is better than four prayers offered there (in Bayt al-Maqdis), and what a good place of prayer it is. Soon there will come a time when, if a man has a piece of land the size of a horse’s rope from which he can see Bayt al-Maqdis, that will be better for him than the whole world.” [Mustadrak al-Hakim]

Other than the mention of the reward of praying there, we see another prediction being made by our Prophet ﷺ. This hadith indicates that towards the end of time, it will be difficult for Muslims to pray in al-Masjid al-Aqsa.

What is the reward of praying in the third holiest site in Islam? Abdullah Ibn az-Zubayr رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Offering prayer in my masjid (in Madinah) is better than one thousand prayers elsewhere, save for those offered prayer in al-Masjid al-Haram (in Makkah). And prayer offered in al-Masjid al-Haram is better than prayer offered in my mosque by one hundred prayers." [Ahmad]

Jabir ibn Abdullah رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “One prayer in my Masjid is better than one thousand prayers elsewhere, except the al-Masjid al-Haram, and one prayer in al-Masjid al-Haram is better than one hundred thousand prayers elsewhere.” [Ibn Majah]

From these narrations, we learn that the reward for one prayer in al-Masjid al-Haram is one hundred thousand and the reward for one prayer offered in al-Masjid al-Nabawi is one thousand prayers (offered elsewhere). The reward for one prayer offered in al-Masjid al-Aqsa is equivalent to two hundred and fifty prayers.

Abu Ad-Darda رضي الله عنه relates that the Prophet (ﷺ) said, “The prayer prayed in al-Masjid al-Haram is akin to one hundred thousand prayers, and the prayer in my masjid is akin to one thousand prayers and the prayer in Jerusalem is akin to five hundred prayers.” [Tabarani]

Some other narrations like the one above suggest five hundred rewards but InshaAllah the narrations that mentioned the reward as two hundred fifty are more authentic.

Maymunah bint Sa'd رضي الله عنها narrated, “I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, tell us the legal injunction about (visiting) Bayt al-Muqaddas.’ The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, ‘It is the land of the gathering and the Resurrection. Go there and pray, for one prayer in it is like a thousand prayers elsewhere.’ She said, ‘What if I cannot endure travel to there?’ The Prophet (ﷺ) said, ‘Let one send a gift of oil to light its lamps, for whoever does so is as if he has gone there.’” [Sharh Mushkil al-Athar] This narration was authenticated by Sheikh al-Arnaut رحمه الله.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, "Whoever begins Umrah from Bayt Al-Maqdis, will have an expiation for all his previous sins." [Ibn Hibban] There is a slight weakness in the chain of this narration. We see from the actions of the companions of the Prophet ﷺ like Ibn Umar رضي الله عنه and many others from among them that they donned Ihram for Umrah from Masjid al-Aqsa.

Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنه added, “Bayt al-Maqdis was built by the Prophets and inhabited by the Prophets. There is not the area of a single hand span except that a Prophet prayed in it or an angel stood on it.” [Ahmad and Tirmidhi]

The Prophet ﷺ said, “What an amazing place of worship it is! Surely, there will soon come a time when, for a man to have land equivalent to his horse’s rope from which he can see Bayt al-Maqdis will be better for him than the whole world!” or the Prophet ﷺ said, “Better for him than the world and everything in it!” [Mustadrak al-Hakim]

Despite its high standing, it is important to note that al-Masjid al-Aqsa is not a Haram in the technical sense of the word as is Makkah and Madinah. Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri رضي الله عنه said, "The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'O Allah, Ibrahim made Makkah sacred and made it a sanctuary, and I have made Madinah a sanctuary… no blood is to be shed therein, no weapon for fighting is to be carried, and no tree is to be struck to make its leaves fall, except to provide food for animals…” [Muslim]

Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله said, “Bayt al-Maqdis is not a place that can be called a sanctuary (Haram), nor is the tomb of al-Khaleel or any other place on earth, except for - al-Haram of Makkah which is a sanctuary according to the consensus of the Muslims and al-Haram of Madinah which is a sanctuary according to the majority of scholars. [Majmu’ al-Fatawa]

Allah tells us,

سُبْحَـٰنَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَسْرَىٰ بِعَبْدِهِۦ لَيْلًۭا مِّنَ ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْحَرَامِ إِلَى ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْأَقْصَا ٱلَّذِى بَـٰرَكْنَا حَوْلَهُۥ لِنُرِيَهُۥ مِنْ ءَايَـٰتِنَآ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْبَصِيرُ

“Glory be to the One who Took His Servant (Prophet Muhammad ﷺ) by night from al-Masjid al-Haram to al-Masjid al-Aqsa, whose surroundings We have Blessed, to show him of Our signs. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing.” [Surah al-Isra, 1]

An important point to note here is that the term, “Masjid” was known prior to the advent of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as well. When this ayah was revealed, the pagans of Makkah who were looking for the slightest excuse to mock the Prophet ﷺ, did not find this name strange and they did not say, “We do not know what al-Masjid al-Aqsa is.” They did not reject the title of it being called a Masjid and this indicates that this name was known to them.

Scholars of the Arabic language indicate that the term “Masjid” is a word that was already established among the pre-Islamic Arabs. It simply referred to “a place in which people prostrate”, and any place of worship is a masjid. Islam, even before the advent of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ included prostration to Allah in prayer in the shariah of the prophets sent before.

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The Virtues of Al-Shaam

Allah says,

وَٱلتِّينِ وَٱلزَّيْتُونِ

By the fig and the olive (of Jerusalem) [Surah at-Tin, 1]

As Muslims, we can take an oath only by Allah and nothing else. On the other hand, Allah can take an oath by whatever He Wishes. When Allah takes an oath on something, it is to place immense importance on it or to highlight its great significance. Scholars of tafsir like Imams Ka'b al-Ahbar, Qatadah, Ibn Zayd رحمهم الله, and others have said about this ayah that, "It is the Masjid of Jerusalem (Bayt al-Maqdis)." The 'fig' and the 'olive' symbolize the lands in which these trees are predominantly found: that is, the lands of Al-Shaam and specifically Palestine. This was the land of the Prophets عليهم السلام as a large number of them lived, taught, preached, and are buried here. Another interpretation of this and the following ayat is that Allah is taking an oath on these places to signify their connection to Prophets Musa عليه السلام, Isa عليه السلام, and our beloved Muhammad ﷺ. This second interpretation also in a way supports the first one that talks about the importance of these lands.

Zayd Ibn Thabit رضي الله عنه reported that the Prophet ﷺ said, “How blessed is Al-Shaam”! The sahaba asked, “Why is that”? The Messenger ﷺ replied, “I see the Angels of Allah spreading their wings over Al-Shaam”. [Tirmidhi]

Imam Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali رحمه الله said, “It should be understood that the blessing in Al-Shaam includes blessing in both religious and worldly matters. Hence the land is called holy.”

Scholars through the centuries including the likes of Imams Ibn Asakir, AbuI Hasan al-Rabi', Sheikh aI-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, Ibn Rajab al-HanbaIi, and many others have authored works on the merits and virtues of Shaam.

It was narrated that Abu Umamah رضي الله عنه narrated, “I said, ‘O Prophet of Allah, what was the beginning of your affair?’ He said, ‘The prayer of my father Ibrahim and the glad tidings of Isa. My mother dreamt that there came out of her light by which the palaces of Ash-Shaam were illuminated.’”

Imam Ibn Kathir رحمه الله said, “The fact that Ash-Shaam is singled out in conjunction with his light indicates that his religion and his teachings will abide in Bilad Ash-Shaam. Hence at the end of time, Ash-Shaam and its people will be a stronghold for Islam, and in that land Isa ibn Maryam will come down.” [Tafsir Ibn Kathir] Ibn Mas’ud رضي الله عنه was once told that the water in the Euphrates river was subsiding, so he said, “Water and believers will always be found in Al-Shaam.”

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The Prophet ﷺ said, "O Allah! Bestow Your blessings on our Shaam! O Allah! Bestow Your blessings on our Yemen." The people said, "And also on our Najd (land around Iraq)." He said, "O Allah! Bestow Your blessings on our Shaam! O Allah! Bestow Your blessings on our Yemen." The people said, "O Allah's Apostle! And also on our Najd." The narrator said, “I think the third time the Prophet (ﷺ) said, ‘There (in Najd) is the place of earthquakes and afflictions, and from there comes out the side of the head of Shaitan.’” [Bukhari]

The health of the Ummah was also linked to Al-Shaam. Imam al-Tirmidhi رحمه الله records that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “When the inhabitants of Al-Shaam become corrupt, then there is no good in it for you. There will never cease to be a group in my Ummah who will be helped (by Allah), they will not be harmed by those who forsake them until the Hour is established." Ali bin al-Madini رحمه الله said. 'They are the people of Hadith.’” [Tirmidhi]

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “The chosen land of Allah is Shaam, and in it are his chosen people and servants. A group from my nation will certainly enter paradise without any reckoning or punishment.” [Tabarani]

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “I saw on the night of al-Isra and al-Mi’raj, a white pillar resembling a pearl which the Angels were carrying. I asked them, “What are you carrying”? They said, “The Pillar of the Book, we have been ordered to place it in Al-Shaam. Later in my sleep, I saw the Pillar of the Book being taken away from under my headrest. I began to fear lest Allah the Almighty had abandoned the people of the earth. My eyes followed the Pillar of the Book. It was a brilliant light in front of me. Then I saw it was placed in Al-Shaam.” [Tabarani]

In a similar narration, the Prophet ﷺ said, “I saw angels in a dream who had taken hold of the Pillar of the Book and proceeded with it to Shaam. When the great tribulations befall, faith will be in Shaam.” [Ibn Asakir] These ahadith signify the centrality of Shaam in preserving Islamic teachings and the Qur'an.

Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله explained, “The Pillar of the Book and Islam – this refers to something that acts as a support; what is referred to here is those who learn the Qur’an and adhere to it. This is similar to the words of the Prophet (ﷺ), ‘The heartland of the believers is Ash-Shaam.’” [Majmu’ al-Fatawa]

A sahabi named Tamim ibn Aws al-Dari رضي الله عنه accepted Islam in 9AH and eventually settled in Bayt al-Maqdis (Jerusalem). It is narrated from multiple sources that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ had allocated Bayt Habrun or Hebron to him. He came with his people to the Prophet ﷺ and asked him to allocate Hebron to him. The Prophet ﷺ agreed and had a document written for him that said,

“In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. This is what Muhammad the Messenger of Allah has given to Tamim al-Dari and his companions. I give to you Bayt ‘Aynun, Habrun, al-Martum, and Bayt Ibrahim and all that is in them; I give that to them and to their descendants forever and ever. Whoever disputes with them concerning that is offending Allah. Witnessed by Abu Bakr ibn Abi Quhafah, Umar, Uthman, and Ali ibn Abi Talib.” [Mu’jam al-Buldan]

At the time this document was drafted, Palestine was not under Muslim control, rather it was ruled by the Byzantines. This was a prophecy that Palestine would soon be under Muslim rule. When Bayt al-Maqdis was conquered during the reign of Umar, he fulfilled the promise of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ to Tamim and gave the land as a waqf to his descendants. This was the first Waqf in Palestine by the Muslims (not counting al-Masjid al-Aqsa). Tamim al-Dari would later be appointed as the Governor of Jerusalem as well.

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is telling all these things to his sahaba when the lands of Al-Shaam and Jerusalem are still under Persian or Roman control. The lives of the sahaba revolved primarily around Makkah and then Madinah. Yet, the Prophet ﷺ was emphasising the blessings and status of this land. This can give us an indication of why the areas of Al-Shaam were some of the earliest places where the sahaba set out to spread Islam.

At the request of the people of Al-Shaam, Umar sent Mu’adh ibn Jabal, Abu al-Darda, and Ubadah ibn as-Samit رضي الله عنهم to Al-Shaam. Ubadah ibn as-Samit رضي الله عنه and his wife Umm Haram bint Milhan settled in Palestine where he taught the people the Qur’an and the hadith of the Prophet ﷺ. The last hadith that he narrated was in Palestine just before he passed away.

Narrated As-Sunabihi from Ubadah bin as-Samit رضي الله عنه who said, “I entered upon him while he was dying, so I cried, and he said, ‘There now, why are you crying? For by Allah, if I am a martyr, then I will intercede for you, and if I can I will benefit you,' then he said, 'By Allah! There is no Hadith which I heard from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) which is good for you but I narrate it to you today, while I am near death. I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say,

مَنْ شَهِدَ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ النَّارَ

‘Whoever testifies that there is no deity worth of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, then Allah has forbidden the fire for him.’” [Tirmidhi] Ubadah was appointed as the first Chief Judge of Jerusalem by Umar ibn al-Khattab رضي الله عنه and to date, his descendants live in Palestine.

The area of Shaam is one of the earliest places where the sahaba set out to spread Islam. Imam Ibn Abi Dawud رحمه الله recorded that al-Walid bin Muslim رحمه الله said, “10,000 eyes that had witnessed the Messenger of Allah ﷺ entered the land of al-Shaam.” [Tarikh Dimashq]

We see that a plethora of the sahaba were buried in Al-Shaam. To name a few - Khalid ibn al-Walid, Nu’man ibn Bashir, and Thawban رضي الله عنهم among others are buried in Homs. Shaddad ibn Aws and Ubadah ibn as-Samit رضي الله عنهم are buried in the immediate vicinity of al-Masjid al-Aqsa. Mu’awiyah ibn Abi Sufyan and Dihya ibn al-Kalbi رضي الله عنهم are buried in Damascus. Bilal ibn Rabah رضي الله عنه is buried in Aleppo while Mu’adh ibn Jabal and Jaʾfar ibn Abi Talib رضي الله عنهم are buried around modern-day Jordan. Others from the sahaba who visited Jerusalem include Umar ibn al-Khattaab, Abu Ubaydah, Amir ibn al-Jarrah, Safiyyah bint Huyayy, Abdullah ibn Umar, Abu ad-Darda’, Salman al-Farsi, Amr ibn al-Aas, Sa’eed ibn Zayd and Abdullah ibn Amr رضي الله عنهم among many others.

Imam al-Bukhari رحمه الله placed a chapter in his Sahih and titled it, “Whoever desired to be buried in the Sacred Land.” Under this chapter, he brings the famous hadith of Prophet Musa عليه السلام.

Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrated that the Angel of Death was sent to Musa and when he went to him, Musa slapped him severely, spoiling one of his eyes. The Angel went back to his Lord, and said, “You sent me to a slave who does not want to die.” Allah restored his eye and said, “Go back and tell him (i.e. Musa) to place his hand over the back of an ox, for he will be allowed to live for a number of years equal to the number of hairs coming under his hand.” (So the Angel came to him and told him the same). Then Musa asked, “O my Lord! What will be then?” He said, “Death will be then.” He said, “(Let it be) now.” He asked Allah that He bring him near the Sacred Land at a distance of a stone's throw. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, “Were I there I would show you the grave of Musa by the way near the red sand hill.” [Bukhari]

From the proofs of true prophethood, we see a true prophecy. Shaddad bin Aws رضي الله عنه reports that he was with the Prophet ﷺ whilst taking deep breaths. The Prophet ﷺ said, “What is wrong O Shaddad?” He said “The world has closed in on me". The Prophet !It said, "The world has not closed in on you. Verily, Shaam will be conquered and al-Quds will be conquered and you and your sons will be Imams there, if Allah wills.” [Tabarani]

Shaddad bin Aws رضي الله عنه would go on to become a leading figure in the Conquest of Shaam and eventually Al-Quds during the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab رضي الله عنه. He passed away in 58 AH at the age of 75 and was buried near al-Masjid al-Aqsa.

Dr Usamah al-Asqar, a famous Palestinian author and historian writes that as per his research: around 4,000 sahaba entered Palestine of which 36 were from the senior sahaba or leaders in the Muslim army. Approximately 38 sahaba were martyred in Palestine and 69 settled down in Palestine over a period of time.

In addition to the above, Allah mentions the Blessed Lands multiple times in the Qur'an. Some are:

يَـٰقَوْمِ ٱدْخُلُوا۟ ٱلْأَرْضَ ٱلْمُقَدَّسَةَ ٱلَّتِى كَتَبَ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمْ وَلَا تَرْتَدُّوا۟ عَلَىٰٓ أَدْبَارِكُمْ فَتَنقَلِبُوا۟ خَـٰسِرِينَ

(Musa said) O my people! Enter the Holy Land which Allah has Destined for you (to enter). And do not turn back or else you will become losers.” [Surah al-Ma’idah, 21]

The land is called the Holy Land here. “Al-Muqaddas” would also mean that which has been blessed. Allah is Al-Quddus meaning The Most Holy or The Most Sacred. One of the main aspects of this Name is that Allah Alone is the One Who Blesses. No one has an unchecked claim on Allah’s Bounty and Blessings. Allah Gives to whom He Wills and Takes it away from whom He Wills. The land in many narrations has been referred to as Bayt al-Maqdis (The Sanctified House) or al-Bayt al-Muqaddas (The House that has been made Holy or Blessed). Even in Hebrew, Jerusalem is known as Yerushalayim or Urushalim which means peace or something that denotes completeness.

It is one of the most fertile lands, home to the blessed olive trees, home to so many Prophets and Messengers of Allah عليهم السلام throughout the centuries, and has given the Ummah some of the greatest luminaries and scholars and it will be this land where many of the Signs of the Last Hour will occur.

وَنَجَّيْنَـٰهُ وَلُوطًا إِلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ ٱلَّتِى بَـٰرَكْنَا فِيهَا لِلْعَـٰلَمِينَ

“And We Delivered him and Lut to the land which We had Blessed for the worlds.” [Surah al-Anbiya, 71]

وَأَوْرَثْنَا ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَانُوا۟ يُسْتَضْعَفُونَ مَشَـٰرِقَ ٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَغَـٰرِبَهَا ٱلَّتِى بَـٰرَكْنَا فِيهَا ۖ

“And We Caused the people who had been oppressed to inherit the eastern regions of the land and the western ones, which We had Blessed.” [Surah al-A’raf, 137]

وَلَقَدْ بَوَّأْنَا بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ مُبَوَّأَ صِدْقٍۢ وَرَزَقْنَـٰهُم مِّنَ ٱلطَّيِّبَـٰتِ

“Indeed, We settled the Children of Israel in a blessed land and granted them good, lawful provisions.” [Surah Yunus, 93]

وَجَعَلْنَا بَيْنَهُمْ وَبَيْنَ ٱلْقُرَى ٱلَّتِى بَـٰرَكْنَا فِيهَا قُرًۭى ظَـٰهِرَةًۭ

We had also placed between them and the cities (of Shaam) We showered with blessings (many small) towns within sight of one another.” [Surah Saba, 18]

وَلِسُلَيْمَـٰنَ ٱلرِّيحَ عَاصِفَةًۭ تَجْرِى بِأَمْرِهِۦٓ إِلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ ٱلَّتِى بَـٰرَكْنَا فِيهَا ۚ وَكُنَّا بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَـٰلِمِينَ

“And to Sulayman (We Subjected) the wind, blowing forcefully, proceeding by his command toward the land which We had Blessed. And We are ever, of all things, Knowing.” [Surah al-Anbiya, 81]

From these Quranic ayat alone, we learn that the land of Shaam is uniquely blessed. It is the region to which Prophet Ibrahim عليه السلام migrated, the land where Bani Israel were brought after their trials, the site of Prophet Sulayman’s عليه السلام unmatched kingdom, the route traversed by the people of Saba, and the destination of the miraculous night journey of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Shaam is also home to Mount Sinai, where Allah Spoke to Prophet Musa عليه السلام and revealed the Tawrah. Within Shaam lies Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa, a blessed site that has been the center of prophethood for centuries.

Shaam is and will remain home to the pious and truthful of this Ummah. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “A group of my Ummah will continue to prevail and they will never be harmed by those who forsake them, until the Hour begins.” [Ibn Majah] Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud رضي الله عنه said, “The people of Al-Shaam will not defeat a people except that they are the worst of creation.” [Fadhail Al-Shaam]

In another narration, the Prophet ﷺ said, “The people of the West will remain dominant, unaffected by those who forsake them, until the Hour is established.” [Muslim] Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal رحمه الله explained that the “people of the West” refer to the people of Shaam as the Prophet's ﷺ speech must be understood in the context of his location in Madinah.

Imam Ahmad رحمه الله recorded that Khuraym ibn Fatik al-Suddi رضي الله عنه said, “The people of Shaam are Allah’s whip on Earth, by which He exacts retribution from whomsoever He wills, however He wills. It is forbidden for their hypocrites to prevail over their believers, and they will not die in a state of worry, distress, or grief.” [Ahmad]

While Makkah is the origin and the "Mother of Cities," from which the earth spread forth, Shaam holds the distinction of being the place where people will be gathered towards the end of times, fulfilling its role as the ultimate destination in the Divine Plan. The Prophet ﷺ said, “Al-Shaam is the land of the gathering and the resurrection.” [Ahmad]. It is here that Prophet Isa عليه السلام will return. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Isa, the son of Maryam will descend at the white minaret in the eastern side of Damascus, wearing two garments lightly dyed and placing his hands on the wings of two angels. When he will lower his head, there would fall drops of water from his head, and when he will raise it up, drops like pearls would scatter from it.” [Muslim]

Similarly, the spread of Islam began with Prophet Muhammad ﷺ being taken from Makkah to Jerusalem. His prophethood and his message began in Makkah, and the perfection, dominance, and completion of his religion will occur with the coming of the Mahdi in Shaam.

O Muslims, heed the words of Sheikhul Islam Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله who said, "If you forsake the people of Al-Shaam, neither supporting them nor defending them, then Allah will mobilize for them others who will support them! He'll replace you with others! Allah says,

وَإِن تَتَوَلَّوْا۟ يَسْتَبْدِلْ قَوْمًا غَيْرَكُمْ ثُمَّ لَا يَكُونُوٓا۟ أَمْثَـٰلَكُم

“And if you turn away (refuse), He'll replace you with another people, and they won't be like you." [Surah Muhammad, 38]

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ called it “Our Shaam” and so we’ll call it our Shaam as well. Shaam is the Land of the Prophets, it's soil and it's people are blessed by the dua of the Prophet ﷺ: