In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
The blessed place of prayer.
What is the importance of the battle over terminology regarding Al-Aqsa Mosque?
Since Al-Aqsa Mosque is one of our sacred sites,
and our connection to it is a connection of Shari'ah and creed,
it is imperative that the terminology and names related to it be precise,
and weighed on the scales of the Shari'ah.
This is because of the significant negative and positive dimensions and consequences involved.
Allah, glory be to Him, has urged us to select and choose the best and most excellent of speech,
as He, the Almighty, said:
“O ye who believe! Guard your duty to Allah, and speak words straight to the point;” (33:70)
And He warned us against adopting terms from sources other than the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Prophet, peace be upon him.
This is because the Jews were characterized by distortion and alteration,
and Allah forbade the believers from agreeing with them or following them in that.
He, glory be to Him, said:
“O ye who believe, say not (unto the Prophet): "Listen to us" but say "Look upon us," and be ye listeners. For disbelievers is a painful doom.” (2:104)
And for the disbelievers is a painful punishment.
And the Almighty said:
“Some of those who are Jews change words from their context and say: "We hear and disobey; hear thou as one who heareth not" and "Listen to us!" distorting with their tongues and slandering religion. If they had said: "We hear and we obey: hear thou, and look at us" it had been better for them, and more upright. But Allah hath cursed them for their disbelief, so they believe not, save a few.” (4:46)
“Some of those who are Jews change words from their context and say: "We hear and disobey; hear thou as one who heareth not" and "Listen to us!" distorting with their tongues and slandering religion. If they had said: "We hear and we obey: hear thou, and look at us" it had been better for them, and more upright. But Allah hath cursed them for their disbelief, so they believe not, save a few.” (4:46)
“Some of those who are Jews change words from their context and say: "We hear and disobey; hear thou as one who heareth not" and "Listen to us!" distorting with their tongues and slandering religion. If they had said: "We hear and we obey: hear thou, and look at us" it had been better for them, and more upright. But Allah hath cursed them for their disbelief, so they believe not, save a few.” (4:46)
There is an open, real, and influential war,
which begins with the word, the term, the expression, and the phrase,
to transform into a new meaning and an imposed reality,
then into an idea, until it becomes a given that is difficult to change.
Furthermore, the plan to change and replace terminology is an ancient Iblisian (Satanic) scheme,
which his allies among mankind have seized upon to fight the allies of the Most Merciful.
“But the devil whispered to him, saying: O Adam! Shall I show thee the tree of immortality and power that wasteth not away?” (20:120)
Among the greatest challenges facing the Ummah in our conflict with the Jews
is the changing of concepts and the weakening of perceptions,
resulting from the erasure and replacement of many names and terms,
and accepting them as the status quo without reflection, scrutiny, analysis, interpretation, or pause.
Terminology is not merely transient words;
rather, it carries meanings and concepts that influence ideas and create a new reality.
It is a pivotal issue,
which everyone attempts to employ and invest in to steer the course of the conflict.
Concern for terminology is a concern for identity,
so how much more so when our identity in that land is one of Shari'ah and creed?
This leads us to further care and attention.
For everyone cares about their identity.
It is important to know that a term does not merely point to an external referent;
rather, it contains the viewpoint, perspective, and interpretations of the one who coined it.
The matter becomes more complex and alarming
if the terminology has a doctrinal character.
The simple Palestinian farmer realized the danger of terminology,
and through his innate disposition, he was precise in his words.
He named the Zionist settlers coming from Russia "al-Maskub,"
derived from "Maskva" or "Maskaba"—meaning Moscow—that is, the intruders or foreigners.
There is an integrated system of official and academic Zionist institutions
that manages the battle of terminology.
Indeed, there is an army of university professors,
professors whom we do not see before us;
we only see the planes, tanks, and missiles on our screens.
But in their kitchens,
there is a massive number of universities, institutes, research centers, and institutions,
and everyone works in harmony, integration, and cooperation.
The goal is to remove everything Islamic and Arab in Jerusalem and Palestine.
Therefore, many incorrect terms have become widespread,
which the Arab media has begun to use
through television screens, social media sites, and others.
The situation has even reached the point where intellectual and academic elites use these terms,
which requires us to focus on this subject and warn of its consequences.
Among those incorrect terms that must be corrected:
The term "State of Israel"—the correct term is
"the Jewish entity," "the Zionist entity," or "the occupation state."
Among them is the term "the Promised Land"—
the correct term is "the land of Palestine."
Among them is the term "Solomon's Temple"—
the truth is that the place is Al-Aqsa Mosque,
and the "Temple" is the alleged Jewish temple.
Among them is the term "Wailing Wall"—
the correct term is "the Buraq Wall."
Among them is the term "the Palestinian-Israeli conflict"—
the correct term is "the conflict with the Zionists."
Among them is the term "settlements"—
the correct term is "usurped lands" or "colonies."
Among them is the term "Temple Mount"—
the correct term is "the Mount of Bayt al-Maqdis."
Among them is the term "City of David"—
the correct term is "the Noble Jerusalem (Al-Quds al-Sharif)."
Among them is the term "Holy of Holies"—
the correct term is "the Rock of Bayt al-Maqdis."
Among them is the term "the Holy Basin"—
the correct term is "the Old City."
Among them is the term "the Jewish Quarter"—
the correct term is "the Maghariba (Moroccan) Quarter."
Among them is the term "Star of David"—
the correct term is "the hexagram."
Among them is the term "the Palestinian territories"—
the correct term is "the land of Palestine."
Among them is the term "Palestinian demands"—
the correct term is "Palestinian rights."
Unfortunately, there has become an addiction to adopting terminology
without deep reflection, analysis, scrutiny, or examination.
Arab minds have even begun to repeat what they hear with a faithfulness that invites ridicule.
This has resulted in the Arab individual losing the ability to name things,
in the sense of creating and generating them;
they come to him imported and ready-made.
And he who does not name things
loses control over reality.
Therefore, attention should be paid to this important issue,
and one should adhere to the Shari'ah, historical, and heritage-based terminology
for everything related to our sacred sites in Palestine,
so that we do not become participants,
especially our media institutions,
in the loss of our identity and our land.
Yes, the place of prayer.
We are a sun that does not set.
If the caller calls, we respond.
We return the right, intact.
We support beloved Al-Aqsa.
In it, the best of creation prayed.
It is truly the blessed place of prayer.
The landing place of the trustworthy revelation.
The place of mission for the messengers.
The Qibla for the Muslims.
The destination for the conquerors.
In it, the best of creation prayed.
It is truly the blessed place of prayer.
It is truly the blessed place of prayer.
It is truly the blessed place of prayer.