British Muslim ulama who recently visited Masjid Al Aqsa are urging Muslims from around the world to travel to the sacred mosque to protect it from the Israeli occupiers.
In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate the Most Merciful
“Glory be to the One Who took His servant Muhammad at night from Masjid al-Haram to Masjid al-Aqsa whose surroundings We have blessed, so that We may show him some of Our signs. Indeed, He alone is the All-Hearing, All-Seeing.” (Al-Isra: 1)
A few minutes remain for Fajr Salah, and we are sat here in Masjid al-Aqsa urging Muslims from all over the world to visit the blessed city of Quds (Jerusalem).
Al-Hamdulillah, there are many Muslims here from the UK. However, there is a need for many more Muslims from the UK and other countries to visit Masjid al-Aqsa. Our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Do not undertake any journey except to the three Masjids: Masjid al-Haram, my Masjid and Masjid al-Aqsa” (Bukhari).
Masjid al-Aqsa is currently controlled by the Israeli occupation forces. They decide who enters the Masjid and who does not. Armed Israeli soldiers patrol the grounds of the Masjid.
Many Palestinians residing in the blessed city of Quds are unable to enter the Masjid as we have witnessed first hand. Likewise, the permits of many Palestinians to enter the blessed city of Quds have been revoked in recent months. The number of visitors from abroad has also dropped due to the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
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Those who are visiting are also facing increased harassment whilst entering the Masjid especially for Fajr Salah. This is all designed to deter Muslims from visiting Masjid al-Aqsa.
Simultaneously, Israeli settlers regularly invade the Masjid and violate its sanctity. The Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir this week said that he would build a synagogue here. The threats to Masjid al-Aqsa are increasing day by day.
One of the most effective ways of protecting it and supporting the Palestinians is to visit the blessed city of Quds and keep Masjid al-Aqsa populated. The local Palestinian heroes safeguarding the Masjid really value and appreciate this. They are fulfilling a communal obligation (Fard Kifayah) on our behalf and their faith, sincerity, dedication and resilience puts us to shame.
We therefore humbly request brothers and sisters from around the world to travel to Masjid al-Aqsa if they are able to do so. Each Salah performed therein will not only earn the reward of 500 Salah, but also become the means of protecting the sanctity of Masjid al-Aqsa and reviving your faith.
We pray to Allah Almighty to protect Masjid al-Aqsa and liberate it and the whole region from the aggressors and their enablers and sympathisers in the form of Muslims and otherwise. Ameen.
Signed by:
Mufti Yusuf (Blackburn), Mufti Dilwar (Oldham), Shaykh Muhammad (Blackburn), Mufti Abu Usayd (Birmingham), Imam Abu Huzaifah (Dewsbury), Shaykh Zakariyya (Bolton), Shaykh Anwar (Coventry).
Musalla al-Qibli, Masjid al-Aqsa
Monday 22 Safar 1446 – 26 August 2024
