The Forty Jewels of Jerusalem Hadiths
A Prophetic Jerusalemite Sign in Makkah
On the authority of Jabir ibn 'Abdullah, may Allah be pleased with both of them,
that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:
"When Quraysh rejected my claim, I stood in al-Hijr, and Allah unveiled Bayt al-Maqdis (Jerusalem) before me,
so I began to describe its features to them while looking directly at it."
Related by al-Bukhari and Muslim.
Vocabulary of the Hadith:
Al-Hijr is a semi-circular structure
adjacent to the Levantine and Iraqi corners,
and it is an integral part of the Ka'bah.
"Allah unveiled to me"
means that Allah, Mighty and Majestic, made it manifest to His Prophet, peace be upon him,
parting the veils for him
and lifting every barrier before his sight.
"So I began" means: he started to do so.
"Its features" means its distinct landmarks and characteristics.
Overall Meaning:
The Prophet, peace be upon him, clarified
that when Quraysh accused him of lying regarding the Night Journey (al-Isra'),
he stood in al-Hijr,
and Allah laid bare al-Aqsa Mosque before him
while he was physically in Makkah,
so that he could describe its signs and hallmarks to them with precision,
seeing it directly with his own eyes
while they could not see it.
This served as firm reinforcement for him,
a clear proof of the truthfulness of his message,
and a miraculous hallmark of his prophethood.
The standing of al-Aqsa Mosque among the disbelievers of Quraysh,
their familiarity with it, their visits to it,
and their knowledge of its distinct physical details.
The unveiling of al-Aqsa Mosque
constitutes a magnificent, awe-inspiring miracle
granted to the Prophet, peace be upon him,
illustrating his profound bond
and deep-seated devotion
to the blessed al-Aqsa Mosque.
Al-Aqsa Mosque
is a criterion distinguishing the truthful from the mendacious,
and a solace for every grieved and sorrowful heart.
The Jerusalemite Forty.