When Allah Almighty raised Prophet Isa (Jesus, peace be upon him) to the heavens, it was about three centuries later that Constantine, the emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire, embraced Christianity. Following their king, the people of his empire also adopted this faith. Idols were demolished, temples were converted into churches, and magnificent cathedrals were constructed. Constantine established a city named Constantinople, after himself, which became the capital of his empire. Today, this city is known as Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city.

Emperor Constantine annexed the present-day Middle Eastern countries, including Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, and Jordan, into his empire. A majority of the population in these areas became Christian. The king’s mother, Saint Helena, was a devout woman regarded as a saint. She was sent to Jerusalem to locate the site where, according to Christian belief, Prophet Isa (peace be upon him) was crucified and to construct a church there. Saint Helena built a grand church in 326 CE, which still houses its original wooden doors installed by her. There is also a stone believed by Christians to be the place where Prophet Isa’s body was laid after the crucifixion.

The church contains fourteen stations, each representing a significant event from Christian traditions, such as the issuance of a death verdict against Prophet Isa, his carrying of the cross, and interactions along the way. However, according to Islamic belief, Prophet Isa (peace be upon him) was not crucified. Instead, Allah Almighty raised him to the heavens alive, and he will return before the Day of Judgment.

Three centuries after this church was built, Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), the second caliph of Islam, conquered the entire region. Jerusalem’s keys were handed over to him, and he stayed in the city for ten days. The Christian leader, Patriarch Sophronius, invited Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) to visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Umar toured the church and listened to Sophronius’s explanations about its significance.

Despite knowing the Islamic truth about Prophet Isa (peace be upon him), Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) respected the sentiments of the Christians and refrained from disputing their beliefs during the visit. When the time for prayer arrived, Sophronius invited Umar to pray inside the church. Umar declined, stating that if he prayed there, future Muslims might convert the church into a mosque, citing his actions as justification. Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) instead stepped outside, threw a stone, and prayed where the stone landed. His decision sent a clear message of tolerance and respect for others’ places of worship.

Today, the lessons from Umar’s wisdom are more relevant than ever. A significant portion of global Christian powers has befriended their historical adversaries, the Jews, who have distorted their beliefs. The belief that the return of Jesus depends on Israel’s territorial expansion has fueled ongoing conflicts. Thousands of Muslims have been massacred in Gaza and Southern Lebanon. The unity of Muslims has been shattered, enabling Israel to extend its control over regions like Syria, threatening the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock.

Umar’s foresight preserved the sanctity of religious sites and promoted global peace. His refusal to pray inside the church symbolizes a commitment to safeguarding humanity and preventing destruction through intolerance. It serves as a reminder that protecting places of worship is essential for the survival of peace and humanity. Those advocating for “Umar’s Law” must ensure that this principle extends to all places of worship; otherwise, safeguarding humanity’s very existence will become impossible.

Written By: Moulana Ameer Hamza