If you were to ask Muslim children about Islam’s holy cities, what would they say? Makkah and Madinah! How many of our kids would mention Al-Quds? How many of them could tell us all about Masjid Al-Aqsa? Where is it? Why is it special?
If you are looking for a free resource to help you teach your kids all about Masjid Al-Aqsa, please click here. There is no sign-up required and feel free to share it as it’s vitally important that we teach our children about this topic.
Without further ado, read on for 5 things to teach your kids about Masjid Al-Aqsa!
1. What is Masjid Al-Aqsa?
This is the first question, seemingly the simplest but the most important because of all the confusion surrounding it.
- Masjid Al-Aqsa is the same area as Bayt Al-Maqdis
- The second oldest masjid on Earth.
- It has been built upon by many Prophets and is the holy area the Prophet Sulayman (may Allah grant him peace) built his famous place of worship upon.
- It is not the site of just one masjid but several are built on it now.
- It is often confused with The Dome of the Rock and Masjid Qibly but it is actually the whole area.
2. Why is it special?
Masjid Al-Aqsa is situated in the city of al-Quds, known in English as Jerusalem. It was the home of so many of our noble Prophets and has a rich history.
From its many virtues are:
- It (al-Quds) was the first qiblah of the Muslims.
- Home of the third holiest masjid, Al-Aqsa.
- The Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was taken to Bayt al-Maqdis on his Night Journey (al-Israa’) from al-Masjid al-Haraam to al-Masjid al-Aqsa.
- Final resting place of many Prophets and companions (may Allah have mercy on them).
- Homeland of many prophets.
3. It is one of only 3 masjids it is permissible to travel to.
Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “No journey should be made except to three mosques, al-Masjid al-Haraam, Masjid al-Rasool (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and Masjid al-Aqsa.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1132)
4. Prayer is worth more in Masjid Al-Aqsa than anywhere else except for Makkah and Madinah.
This is why it is often referred to as the third holiest place in Islam.
It was reported that Abu Dharr (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: we were discussing, in the presence of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), which of them was more virtuous, the mosque of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) or Bayt al-Maqdis. The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: One prayer in my mosque is better than four prayers there, but it is still a good place of prayer. Soon there will come a time when if a man has a spot of land as big as his horse’s rope from which he can see Bayt al-Maqdis, that will be better for him than the whole world. (Narrated and classed as saheeh by al-Haakim, 4/509. Al-Dhahabi and al-Albaani agreed with him, as stated in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah, at the end of the discussion of hadeeth no. 2902).
5. The difference between Masjid Al-Aqsa, Masjid Qibly and The Dome of the Rock.
- Masjid Qibly was established by the noble companion and the second rightly guided caliphs, Umar bin Al-Khattab (may Allaah be pleased with him).
- The Dome of the Rock was built by the caliph ‘Abd al-Malik ibn Marwaan in 72 AH.
- Masjid Al-Aqsa is the whole site but masjid Qibly is where prayers are held and so it is commonly referred to as “the masjid”.
Jerusalem is not just important to Jews and Christians. The site of the Temple of Solomon, where Sulayman rebuilt Bayt Al-Maqdis, is the holiest site in Judaism. Jerusalem is also famously the city that Isa entered and called its people to worship Allah and purify themselves from any misguidance and deviation from their religion. It is therefore a significant city to Christians as well.
However our children should know that just as those prophets are important to us, so it Bayt Al Maqdis, our first Qiblah and site of al-Israa and Miraaj.
Would you like to teach your kids all the above information in an interesting and engaging way? Download a Virtual Field Trip to Masjid Al-Aqsa here for FREE.
Included:
- Slides full of facts and interactive audio and video features.
- A guide to the resource and 4 worksheets for different abilities.
- A google forms quiz to review learning.
