On the Earth created by Allah, three places of worship hold unparalleled sanctity: the first and foremost is Masjid al-Haram, located in Makkah; the second is Masjid al-Nabawi in Madinah; and the third is Masjid al-Aqsa in Al-Quds (Jerusalem). These three mosques are unique in that they were not seized or occupied by Muslims but were obtained peacefully.

For Masjid al-Haram, its caretakers and administrators were none other than the ancestors of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Initially, the Prophet’s great-grandfather, Hashim, served in this role, followed by his grandfather, Abdul Muttalib, and then his uncle, Abu Talib. After them, the Prophet ﷺ himself inherited this responsibility. However, he was forced to leave Makkah and migrate to Madinah. Eight years later, when the Prophet ﷺ returned to Makkah during the Conquest of Makkah, Abu Sufyan, who was then the leader of Makkah, accepted Islam and surrendered peacefully.

Upon entering Masjid al-Haram, the keys to the Kaaba were handed over to the Prophet ﷺ by Uthman bin Talha. The Prophet ﷺ, through his exemplary character, reclaimed his rightful place peacefully, winning the hearts of the people, who not only returned the rights willingly but embraced Islam.

Masjid al-Nabawi was established when the Prophet ﷺ arrived in Yathrib (which later became Madinah). The land for the mosque was purchased, and its construction began under the Prophet’s ﷺ guidance. Today, it stands as a symbol of peace and devotion.

Now let us explore the history and facts surrounding the third great mosque, Masjid al-Aqsa.

Historical Facts about Masjid al-Aqsa

The site of Masjid al-Aqsa covers approximately 37 acres. Known in English as the Mount, it is referred to in Hebrew as Mount Moriah, meaning “the land of God.” According to the Hebrew Bible, the unique significance of Mount Moriah lies in its ability to “connect earth to heaven.”

The structure on this mount, referred to as Habayit in Hebrew, translates to “the Holy House.” However, before raising questions, such as whether Muslims seized this sacred ground from the Jews, it is essential to examine historical facts.

When Muslims conquered this area, it had been under the control of the Roman pagans for six centuries. The Romans had expelled the Jews, destroyed their sacred structures, and desecrated the site. When the Romans later embraced Christianity, they imposed stricter restrictions on the Jews, prohibiting even their pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Christian rulers went so far as to desecrate the area to humiliate the Jews further.

When Muslims peacefully took control of this sacred site, they did so from the Christian rulers. The then-Christian governor of Jerusalem, Sophronius, insisted that the keys to the city be handed over personally to the Muslim Caliph, Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA). Caliph Umar traveled from Madinah to Jerusalem, where the keys were handed to him. The Muslims then built a mosque, Dome of the Rock (Qubbat al-Sakhrah), on this sacred site.

Thus, Muslims neither seized Mount Moriah from the Jews nor demolished any existing Jewish worship structure, as none remained at the time.

Current Challenges

Nearly 2,000 years after the expulsion of Jews from the area, some leaders in the Christian and Jewish communities have united to destroy Masjid al-Aqsa and Dome of the Rock to rebuild a temple. The global Jewish population is estimated to be around 20 million, with less than 10 million in Israel. In contrast, Muslims number over 2 billion worldwide, including 7.5 million in Israel alone.

Destroying a sacred site revered by a quarter of the world’s population would undoubtedly lead to global unrest. Leaders like Netanyahu and former U.S. President Donald Trump must tread the path of peace and restraint. Similarly, India’s actions of demolishing Muslim mosques to build Hindu temples, as seen in the case of the Babri Masjid replaced by the Ram Mandir, reflect a dangerous trend of erasing religious heritage.

A Call for Peace

If global leaders forsake science, human welfare, and coexistence for such destructive agendas, the world will plunge into chaos. The UNESCO heritage organization must step forward to protect these sacred sites as symbols of humanity’s shared legacy.

The path to peace lies in following the example of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, who reclaimed these sacred mosques peacefully and made them symbols of harmony. Let us strive to preserve these symbols for humanity and guide the world toward peace and coexistence.