Masjid al-Aqsa
The third holiest mosque — the night journey began here.
Story
Masjid al-Aqsa sits on a huge platform in the old city of Jerusalem (al-Quds). The whole walled platform — about the size of 20 football fields — is called the Aqsa Sanctuary, and it includes the silver-domed Qibli mosque, the bright Dome of the Rock, and many smaller prayer halls and gardens.
This place is very, very old. Many Prophets prayed here, including Ibrahim, Dawud, Sulayman, and Isa (peace be upon them all). The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ called it the third holiest mosque on Earth, after Makkah and Madinah.
On one amazing night called Al-Isra wal-Mi'raj, the angel Jibreel brought the Prophet ﷺ from Makkah to Masjid al-Aqsa on a special winged ride called Al-Buraq. There he led all the previous Prophets in prayer, and then traveled up through the seven heavens to meet Allah!
For the first 16 months after Hijra, every Muslim in the world prayed facing al-Aqsa, which is why it is called 'the first qiblah.' Today Muslims still love this blessed mosque and pray for it daily.
Fun facts
- ✨It was the qiblah before the Ka'bah.
- ✨Praying here gives 500 times the reward.
Islamic lesson
Quiz
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