Esteemed guests, honorable faculty members, and my respected school fellows.

AOA

The present conditions of the world bring to our notice how much our generation is lacking in our
knowledge regarding Islamic history. Palestine, a land of Prophets, great heroes, and a land housing the
first qibla of Islam, Masjid al Aqsa, has been a target of apartheid and occupation for far too long now
while Muslim countries throughout the world are busy dealing with their own petty affairs. Hence, I am
here to share with you the attributes of Masjid al Aqsa to rekindle our spirit of Eman.

The masjid has a very special place in the hearts of the entire Muslim community due to its unique and
rich history as a place of worship that is so closely intertwined with the lives of many of the Prophets of
Islam, as well as for its special status as a Masjid to which travel is recommended and in which reward is
increased. It is the only masjid other than the Kaaba that is mentioned by name in the holy Quran.

The mosque is intimately linked with the Prophetic history of not one but numerous prophets. Almost
every prophet – including those who were born elsewhere – lived in the Holy Land or had a special
connection to it, which makes Al Aqsa important in the eyes of Muslims. The mosque also has a burial
ground. Though there is no accurate record of who and how many have been buried here, the burial
ground is the resting place for many Prophets.

Masjid al Aqsa, also referred to as the farthest mosque, is located on the southern part of the Temple
Mount. It holds immense significance in religious tradition as it is the only place on earth where all the
Prophets prayed at the same time led by our last Prophet, Hazrat Muhammad PBUH. The journey of
Israa was such a momentous occasion that Allah revealed verses relating to this journey in the Holy
Quran – “Glorified be He [Allah] Who did take His servant for a journey by night from Al Masjid Al Haram
to Al Masjid Al Aqsa, whose precincts We did bless, in order that We might show him some of Our Signs.
Verily He is the All-Hearing, All-Seeing”

Prophet Muhammed and his companions in the initial days of Islam prayed towards the direction of Al
Aqsa. Several hadiths say that a divine commandment came in the middle of his prayers, asking him to
turn his face toward the Kaaba.

The Quran also talks about the Al Aqsa Mosque referring to its centrality in events that are to occur
before the day of reckoning regarding the descent of Hazrat Isa AS. In a Hadith, the Prophet (‫)ﷺ‬
mentioned, “Allah will send Maseeh ibne Maryam (Messiah son of Mary). Thus he will descend near the
white eastern minaret of Damascus, clad in two yellow sheets, leaning on the shoulders of two angels.”
According to some resources, the prophet will then go to masjid al Aqsa and lead the Muslims in prayer.

In contemporary history, it has become a contested place because the Zionists claim it is built on the site
where their first and second temples originally existed. A great deal of myth is interwoven into this
narrative despite the fact that the temple was destroyed repeatedly by invading forces. Thus it is upto us
Muslims to recognize our sacred mosque and to fight for its freedom. May allah give us the strength to
do that ameen.
Distinguished guests, esteemed faculty members, and my respected school colleagues, Assalamu
Alaikum.

I would like to draw your attention to the current global circumstances, which highlight a concerning
deficiency in our generation's understanding of Islamic history. Palestine, a region associated with
Prophets, illustrious heroes, and the initial qibla of Islam, Masjid al Aqsa, has endured prolonged
apartheid and occupation. Meanwhile, Muslim nations worldwide are preoccupied with internal matters
of lesser significance. Consequently, I stand before you today to elucidate the attributes of Masjid al
Aqsa, aiming to revive our sense of Eman.

The significance of this mosque within the entire Muslim community is profound, owing to its distinctive
and rich history as a revered place of worship intricately woven into the lives of numerous Prophets of
Islam. Furthermore, it holds a distinctive status as the only mosque, aside from the Kaaba, explicitly
mentioned in the Holy Quran.

This mosque is intimately connected to the Prophetic histories of multiple prophets. Virtually every
Prophet, regardless of their birthplace, either resided in the Holy Land or maintained a special
connection to it, rendering Al Aqsa of paramount importance to Muslims. Moreover, the mosque
encompasses a burial ground, serving as the final resting place for many Prophets, although precise
records regarding the identities and numbers of those interred remain unavailable.

Referred to as the "farthest mosque," Masjid al Aqsa is situated on the southern part of the Temple
Mount. It holds immense religious significance, being the sole location where all Prophets prayed
simultaneously, led by our last Prophet, Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH). The Israa journey was a momentous
occasion, prompting the revelation of Quranic verses: "Glorified be He [Allah] Who did take His servant
for a journey by night from Al Masjid Al Haram to Al Masjid Al Aqsa, whose precincts We did bless, in
order that We might show him some of Our Signs. Verily He is the All-Hearing, All-Seeing."

In the initial days of Islam, Prophet Muhammad and his companions prayed in the direction of Al Aqsa.
However, a divine command during his prayers instructed him to redirect his face toward the Kaaba, as
reflected in several hadiths.

The Quran also emphasizes the centrality of Al Aqsa Mosque in events preceding the day of reckoning,
particularly in relation to the descent of Hazrat Isa (AS). In a Hadith, the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬mentioned, "Allah
will send Maseeh ibne Maryam (Messiah son of Mary). Thus, he will descend near the white eastern
minaret of Damascus, clad in two yellow sheets, leaning on the shoulders of two angels." Subsequently,
the Prophet will proceed to Masjid al Aqsa to lead Muslims in prayer.

In contemporary times, Masjid al Aqsa has become a disputed site, with Zionists claiming it stands on
the grounds of their original temples. Despite the repeated destruction of the temple by various
invading forces, myths persist in this narrative. Consequently, it falls upon us, as Muslims, to
acknowledge the sanctity of our sacred mosque and advocate for its freedom. May Allah grant us the
strength to fulfill this responsibility. Ameen.