1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,720 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 2 00:00:24,300 --> 00:00:27,300 What an excellent place of prayer. 3 00:00:28,300 --> 00:00:35,530 What do you know about the virtues of Bayt al-Maqdis (Jerusalem)? 4 00:00:35,530 --> 00:00:41,740 Bayt al-Maqdis possesses numerous virtues. 5 00:00:41,740 --> 00:00:46,740 If we were to track and investigate them all, the time would fail us. 6 00:00:46,740 --> 00:00:50,740 It is the flower of cities and the mother of the lands of al-Sham (the Levant). 7 00:00:50,740 --> 00:00:54,740 It is sufficient honor, nobility, and status for it 8 00:00:54,740 --> 00:00:59,740 that Allah, glory be to Him and Exalted is He, made it a blessed land, 9 00:00:59,740 --> 00:01:03,740 pure and sanctified, in more than one verse. 10 00:01:03,740 --> 00:01:05,900 Allah the Almighty says: 11 00:01:05,900 --> 00:01:13,219 “Glorified be He Who carried His servant by night from the Inviolable Place of Worship to the Far distant place of worship the neighbourhood whereof We have blessed, that We might show him of Our tokens! Lo! He, only He, is the Hearer, the Seer.” (17:1) 12 00:01:13,219 --> 00:01:18,219 "...to the Al-Aqsa Mosque..." 13 00:01:18,219 --> 00:01:24,219 “Glorified be He Who carried His servant by night from the Inviolable Place of Worship to the Far distant place of worship the neighbourhood whereof We have blessed, that We might show him of Our tokens! Lo! He, only He, is the Hearer, the Seer.” (17:1) 14 00:01:24,219 --> 00:01:30,219 "...Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing." 15 00:01:30,219 --> 00:01:36,019 If Bayt al-Maqdis had no other virtue but this verse, 16 00:01:36,019 --> 00:01:41,019 it would be sufficient and encompass all blessings. 17 00:01:41,019 --> 00:01:46,019 For if there is blessing in its surroundings, the blessing within it is multiplied. 18 00:01:46,019 --> 00:01:49,049 When we speak of Bayt al-Maqdis, 19 00:01:49,049 --> 00:01:52,049 we are speaking of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, 20 00:01:52,049 --> 00:01:55,049 which is the best spot within it. 21 00:01:55,049 --> 00:01:58,049 We are also speaking of Palestine, 22 00:01:58,049 --> 00:02:01,049 which is the heart of the lands of al-Sham, 23 00:02:01,049 --> 00:02:04,049 that sanctified, blessed land 24 00:02:04,049 --> 00:02:09,050 which also possesses virtues related to both its location and its inhabitants. 25 00:02:09,050 --> 00:02:12,310 We have mentioned in previous sessions 26 00:02:12,310 --> 00:02:18,310 a number of important virtues of that sacred spot and blessed mosque. 27 00:02:19,310 --> 00:02:24,400 Something of this will come up successively in every station. 28 00:02:24,400 --> 00:02:29,400 However, we will focus here on some virtues that have not been mentioned. 29 00:02:29,400 --> 00:02:34,400 For that spot is distinguished from other places on earth 30 00:02:34,400 --> 00:02:38,949 by the dual virtues of both place and people. 31 00:02:38,949 --> 00:02:42,949 Abdullah Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with them both, said: 32 00:02:42,949 --> 00:02:46,949 The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: 33 00:02:46,949 --> 00:02:51,949 "I saw the pillar of the Book being pulled from under my pillow. 34 00:02:51,949 --> 00:02:56,949 I looked, and it was a shining light being taken to al-Sham. 35 00:02:56,949 --> 00:03:01,949 Verily, when tribulations occur, faith will be in al-Sham." 36 00:03:01,949 --> 00:03:05,110 The vision of the Prophets is truth. 37 00:03:05,110 --> 00:03:09,110 The "pillar of the Book and Islam" is that upon which it relies, 38 00:03:09,110 --> 00:03:12,110 and they are its bearers who uphold it. 39 00:03:12,110 --> 00:03:15,240 He, peace be upon him, informed us 40 00:03:15,240 --> 00:03:18,240 that the pillar of Islam, which is faith, 41 00:03:18,240 --> 00:03:21,240 will be in al-Sham when tribulations occur. 42 00:03:21,240 --> 00:03:25,240 This means that if tribulations occur regarding the religion, 43 00:03:25,240 --> 00:03:30,240 the people of al-Sham will be innocent of that, remaining steadfast in faith. 44 00:03:30,240 --> 00:03:33,240 And if they occur in matters other than the religion, 45 00:03:33,240 --> 00:03:38,240 the people of al-Sham will be acting according to the requirements and demands of faith. 46 00:03:38,240 --> 00:03:42,270 And what praise could be more complete than that for the people of al-Sham? 47 00:03:43,400 --> 00:03:45,400 The intent behind the "pillar of Islam" 48 00:03:45,400 --> 00:03:48,400 is that which the people of Islam rely upon 49 00:03:48,400 --> 00:03:50,400 and take refuge in. 50 00:03:50,400 --> 00:03:53,400 Reality bears witness to this, 51 00:03:53,400 --> 00:03:57,400 for we have seen the people of al-Sham in a state of complete uprightness, 52 00:03:57,400 --> 00:03:59,400 holding fast to the Book and the Sunnah 53 00:03:59,400 --> 00:04:03,400 when whims appear and opinions diverge. 54 00:04:03,400 --> 00:04:06,460 He, peace be upon him, also said: 55 00:04:06,460 --> 00:04:13,460 "How blessed is al-Sham!" 56 00:04:13,460 --> 00:04:16,459 They asked, "O Messenger of Allah, and why is that?" 57 00:04:16,459 --> 00:04:20,459 He said, "Those are the angels of Allah, 58 00:04:20,459 --> 00:04:23,459 spreading their wings over al-Sham." 59 00:04:23,459 --> 00:04:26,589 "Tuba" is the feminine form of "atyab" (most pleasant/good), 60 00:04:26,589 --> 00:04:31,589 meaning comfort and a good life are attained for it and its people. 61 00:04:31,589 --> 00:04:34,620 Al-Munawi, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 62 00:04:34,620 --> 00:04:38,620 Meaning they surround and protect it by bringing down blessings, 63 00:04:38,620 --> 00:04:41,620 and warding off calamities and harmful things. 64 00:04:41,620 --> 00:04:44,779 Because of its importance and status, 65 00:04:44,779 --> 00:04:49,779 the Companions, including the female Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, 66 00:04:49,779 --> 00:04:52,779 used to ask the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, 67 00:04:52,779 --> 00:04:56,779 about everything related to Bayt al-Maqdis, 68 00:04:56,779 --> 00:04:59,779 to the extent that Maymunah bint Sa'd, 69 00:04:59,779 --> 00:05:02,779 the freedwoman of the Prophet, peace be upon him, asked, 70 00:05:03,779 --> 00:05:06,779 saying, "O Messenger of Allah, 71 00:05:06,779 --> 00:05:09,779 give us a legal ruling regarding Bayt al-Maqdis." 72 00:05:09,779 --> 00:05:12,779 He, peace be upon him, said: 73 00:05:12,779 --> 00:05:15,779 "The land of the Gathering and the Resurrection." 74 00:05:15,779 --> 00:05:18,970 The land of the Gathering and the Resurrection, 75 00:05:18,970 --> 00:05:21,970 meaning the spot where people are gathered for the reckoning, 76 00:05:21,970 --> 00:05:24,970 and are resurrected from their graves, 77 00:05:24,970 --> 00:05:28,000 then driven toward it. 78 00:05:28,000 --> 00:05:30,000 It was singled out for that 79 00:05:30,000 --> 00:05:34,000 because it is the land about which Allah the Almighty said: 80 00:05:34,000 --> 00:05:37,000 "...We have blessed it for the worlds." 81 00:05:37,000 --> 00:05:40,000 And most of the Prophets, peace be upon them, 82 00:05:40,000 --> 00:05:42,000 were sent from there, 83 00:05:42,000 --> 00:05:45,000 so their laws spread throughout the worlds, 84 00:05:45,000 --> 00:05:49,230 making it fitting that it be the land of the Gathering and the Resurrection. 85 00:05:49,230 --> 00:05:51,230 Allah the Almighty says: 86 00:05:51,230 --> 00:05:54,230 "...And We made the son of Maryam and his mother a sign..." 87 00:05:54,230 --> 00:05:59,230 “And We made the son of Mary and his mother a portent, and We gave them refuge on a height, a place of flocks and watersprings.” (23:50) 88 00:05:59,230 --> 00:06:04,230 meaning to a place raised above the surrounding land. 89 00:06:04,230 --> 00:06:08,230 That is why it is said of a man who is in a high position among his people, 90 00:06:08,230 --> 00:06:11,230 in terms of honor, nobility, and number, 91 00:06:11,230 --> 00:06:14,290 "He is in a 'rabwah' (elevated place) among his people." 92 00:06:14,290 --> 00:06:16,290 Qatadah said: 93 00:06:16,290 --> 00:06:18,290 "It is Bayt al-Maqdis." 94 00:06:18,290 --> 00:06:20,519 And Allah the Almighty says: 95 00:06:20,519 --> 00:06:24,029 "By the fig and the olive, 96 00:06:24,029 --> 00:06:27,029 and Mount Sinai, 97 00:06:27,029 --> 00:06:31,029 and this secure city." 98 00:06:31,029 --> 00:06:34,410 Shaykh al-Islam, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 99 00:06:34,410 --> 00:06:39,410 It is an oath by the three noble, venerated places 100 00:06:39,410 --> 00:06:42,410 in which His light and guidance appeared, 101 00:06:42,410 --> 00:06:45,410 and in which the three were revealed: 102 00:06:45,410 --> 00:06:48,410 the Torah, the Gospel, and the Qur'an. 103 00:06:48,410 --> 00:06:52,410 Just as the three were mentioned in the Torah by His saying: 104 00:06:52,410 --> 00:06:54,410 "Allah came from Mount Sinai, 105 00:06:54,410 --> 00:06:56,410 and shone forth from Seir, 106 00:06:56,410 --> 00:06:59,410 and appeared from the mountains of Paran." 107 00:06:59,410 --> 00:07:03,730 And since what is in the Torah is a report about them, 108 00:07:03,730 --> 00:07:06,730 it reported them in their chronological order, 109 00:07:06,730 --> 00:07:09,730 presenting the earlier one first. 110 00:07:09,730 --> 00:07:14,079 From the hadith of Abdullah Ibn Hawalah, may Allah be pleased with him, 111 00:07:14,079 --> 00:07:18,079 the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: 112 00:07:18,079 --> 00:07:23,079 "The matter will reach a point where you will be organized armies: 113 00:07:24,079 --> 00:07:30,079 an army in al-Sham, an army in Yemen, and an army in Iraq." 114 00:07:30,079 --> 00:07:32,079 Ibn Hawalah said: 115 00:07:32,079 --> 00:07:36,079 "Choose for me, O Messenger of Allah, if I live to see that." 116 00:07:36,079 --> 00:07:39,079 He said, "You must go to al-Sham, 117 00:07:39,079 --> 00:07:42,079 for it is Allah's chosen land from His earth, 118 00:07:42,079 --> 00:07:46,079 to which He gathers the best of His servants. 119 00:07:46,079 --> 00:07:48,079 But if you refuse, 120 00:07:48,079 --> 00:07:50,079 then you must go to your Yemen, 121 00:07:50,079 --> 00:07:52,079 and drink from your ponds, 122 00:07:52,079 --> 00:07:56,079 for Allah has guaranteed for me al-Sham and its people." 123 00:07:56,079 --> 00:07:59,439 This hadith is of the highest level of prophecy, 124 00:07:59,439 --> 00:08:02,439 combining the two virtues of place and people 125 00:08:02,439 --> 00:08:05,439 through his saying, peace be upon him: 126 00:08:05,439 --> 00:08:09,439 "For Allah has guaranteed for me al-Sham and its people." 127 00:08:09,439 --> 00:08:15,879 The virtues of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Bayt al-Maqdis are numerous and varied, 128 00:08:15,879 --> 00:08:19,879 more than can be counted in words such as these. 129 00:08:20,879 --> 00:08:23,879 But it is enough that it is the third sibling 130 00:08:23,879 --> 00:08:26,879 of the two greatest mosques on earth: 131 00:08:26,879 --> 00:08:30,949 the Sacred Mosque (in Makkah) and the Prophet's Mosque (in Madinah). 132 00:08:30,949 --> 00:08:33,950 It has been blessed, as have its surroundings, 133 00:08:33,950 --> 00:08:36,950 with both religious and worldly blessings. 134 00:08:36,950 --> 00:08:39,950 It is the first qibla for the Muslims, 135 00:08:39,950 --> 00:08:42,950 the second mosque established on earth, 136 00:08:42,950 --> 00:08:46,950 and the third of the mosques to which journeys are undertaken. 137 00:08:46,950 --> 00:08:50,950 It is one of four mosques that the Dajjal will not enter. 138 00:08:50,950 --> 00:08:53,950 It is the ribat (frontier post) of the mujahidin, 139 00:08:53,950 --> 00:08:57,950 and the place of the victorious group until the Day of Judgment. 140 00:08:57,950 --> 00:09:04,080 There, the conflict between truth and falsehood will be settled at the end of time. 141 00:09:04,080 --> 00:09:06,080 There is not a space of a span within it 142 00:09:06,080 --> 00:09:10,080 but that a Prophet has prayed there, or an angel has stood there, 143 00:09:10,080 --> 00:09:13,080 or a worshiper has worshiped. 144 00:09:13,080 --> 00:09:16,080 It is the land of the Prophets, peace be upon them, 145 00:09:16,080 --> 00:09:18,080 the pure, and the pious. 146 00:09:18,080 --> 00:09:23,080 It is the land of miracles, wonders, and glad tidings. 147 00:09:23,080 --> 00:09:26,080 What an excellent place of prayer. 148 00:09:26,080 --> 00:09:29,080 We are a sun that does not set. 149 00:09:29,080 --> 00:09:32,080 If the caller calls, we answer. 150 00:09:32,080 --> 00:09:35,080 We restore the stolen right. 151 00:09:35,080 --> 00:09:38,080 We support the beloved Al-Aqsa. 152 00:09:38,080 --> 00:09:42,080 In it, the best of creation prayed. 153 00:09:42,080 --> 00:09:45,080 It is truly an excellent place of prayer. 154 00:09:45,080 --> 00:09:48,080 The landing place of the Trustworthy Revelation. 155 00:09:48,080 --> 00:09:51,080 The sending place of the Messengers. 156 00:09:51,080 --> 00:09:54,080 The qibla for the Muslims. 157 00:09:54,080 --> 00:09:58,080 The destination of the conquerors. 158 00:09:58,080 --> 00:10:01,080 In it, the best of creation prayed. 159 00:10:01,080 --> 00:10:04,080 It is truly an excellent place of prayer. 160 00:10:04,080 --> 00:10:08,080 It is truly an excellent place of prayer.