| 27 December 2005 | |
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18. Al Masjidul Aqsa - A Mosque of timber was originally built here by Hazrat Umar (ra) the second Khalifa of Islam in 638 AD. Abdul Malik ibn Marwan after the completion of the Dome of the Rock commissioned an extension to al Aqsa Mosque. His son Al Walid in 705 AD completed the work. The mosque at the time was large enough to accommodate five thousand worshippers. This building called al Aqsa must not be confused with the whole area also known as al Masjidual Aqsa Haram Sharif. It must be emphasised the the whole area is sacred to the Muslims and not even a centimetre is negotiable. Directly beneath the eastern half of al Aqsa Mosque building is another subterranean area, leading from the courtyard in front of the Mosque to the Double Gate in the southern wall of the Sanctuary. Sealed for hundreds of years, this gate led to the Umayyad palaces which once lay to the south. This area has also been opened by Palestinians, against the wishes of Israelis, for worshipping. The al Aqsa Mosque has been the centre of learning and worship throughout Islamic history. It has been modified several times to protect it from earthquakes, which sometimes occur in the area and to adopt to the changing needs of the local population. The form of the present structure has remained essentially the same since it was reconstructed by the Khalifa Al Dhahir in 1033 AD. It is said he did not alter it from the previous architecture except to narrow it on each side. |
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'Trust in God, but tie your camel first' - The Holy Prophet (pbuh)
'Knowledge is better than wealth, you have to look after your wealth, knowledge looks after you' - Imam Ali __._,_.___
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{Invite (mankind, O Muhammad ) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Inspiration and the Qur'an) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His Path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided.} (Holy Quran-16:125)
{And who is better in speech than he who [says: "My Lord is Allah (believes in His Oneness)," and then stands straight (acts upon His Order), and] invites (men) to Allah's (Islamic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds, and says: "I am one of the Muslims."} (Holy Quran-41:33)
The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "By Allah, if Allah guides one person by you, it is better for you than the best types of camels." [al-Bukhaaree, Muslim]
The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also said, "Whoever calls to guidance will have a reward similar to the reward of the one who follows him, without the reward of either of them being lessened at all." [Muslim, Ahmad, Aboo Daawood, an-Nasaa'ee, at-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah]
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