Currently, many are discussing the rise in fuel prices. The sharp increase will also impact most commodities and have a domino effect. Many are concerned. Some are filling up their tanks as much as possible, yet we can only save a little per tank. The concern is high, the queues are long. All because our worldly life will be impacted and our comforts are on the line. The question we should ask ourselves is when Masjid Al-Aqsa was closed, did we spend even a fraction of that time discussing its closure? Did we lament, did we cry, did it effect us as believers?
Virtues of Masjid Al-Aqsa
- The Prophet ﷺ said, “Do not prepare yourself for a journey except to three Masaajid: the Sacred Masjid (Makkah), this Masjid of mine (Madinah), and the Masjid of Aqsa (Jerusalem)” (recorded in Bukhari).
- The Prophet ﷺ did Miraaj (ascended to the heavens) from Al-Aqsa.
- Just before Miraaj, all the Prophets gathered and prayed Salah behind the Prophet ﷺ in Al-Aqsa.
- It was the first Qiblah. The Prophet ﷺ and the Sahaaba faced in the direction of Al-Aqsa when praying Salah.
- Allah calls it a blessed place in the Qur’an (Surah Israa).
Warning of the Prophet ﷺ
It is an indictment on the Ummah that we are 1.5 billion strong, Al-Aqsa is closed and we can do nothing to open it again. This is because the love of this world has engulfed us, hence we give preference to our comforts over Deen. This was explained by the Prophet ﷺ when he said, “The people will soon summon one another to attack you as people when eating invite others to share their dish. Someone asked, “Will that be because of our small numbers at that time?” He replied “No, you will be numerous at that time but you will be scum like that carried down by a torrent, and Allah will take fear of you from the breasts of your enemy and cast wahn into your hearts”. Someone asked, “What is wahn?” The Prophet ﷺ replied, “love for the world and dislike of death” (recorded in Abu Dawud). In light of this grave warning, removing wahn should be a priority in life for us all. It is due to this wahn that Al-Aqsa has left our control as an Ummah, and it will return once we return to Allah. May Allah guide us all and preserve Al-Aqsa for us all, aameen.
– Shaykh Dawood Seedat حفظه اللّٰه
Above is an extract from Shaykh’s talk on 03/04/26. To listen to the full audio, please click here.
