Paris Forums ‹ Paris Culture ‹ Philosophy and Religion Forum

[Abisafyan]

Islam - the Divine Universal Order Part I
One of the most critical fallacies that has been saved in the ‘hard discs of minds’ by most of the people and intelligentsia even, is; the hypothesis, being proliferated far and wide dishonestly that Judaism and Hinduism and sometime Christianity are also counted therewith, are the ancient most religions. And as a consequence thereof Jews, Hindus and Christians are being misconstrued as the ancient most nations respectively. But this is a serious misperception entirely. As a matter of fact it is Islam alone, which is not only the ancient most and the original most religion (which hems-in a complete code of life), but at the same time it is the updated most religion as well. And as it is, Muslim Nation is second to none as an ancient most & original most nation throughout the entire cosmos.
Islam is the foremost, for Islam alone is the God Given Gift among the rest of the religions and ergo Islam is the Divine Religion, which encompasses a complete code of life for the entire creature throughout the universe. And that’s why it is not simply a religion rather ‘the religion’ (viz Al Deen). And this is why it was bestowed upon the first Man viz Father of Humanity, the Prophet Adam (PBUH), when the latter was ordained for dwelling on the earth. Allah (SWT) says: “We said:
"get ye down all from here; and if, as is sure, there comes to you guidance from Me, whosoever follows My guidance, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve”. (Surah Al Baqarah 2-38).
And thus its antiquity goes beyond the humanity itself, for there was no other religion at that time. And ergo Islam is second to none in antiquity as well as integrity.
Now so far its modernity is concerned, Islam is the only latest and state-of-the-art religion, for it was concluded, consolidated, accomplished, updated and made functional by Allah Almighty through His last and latest Prophet, Mohammad (PBUH) himself in all aspects of life. All the Prophets ‘peace be upon them’ were given the task to preach and establish Islam and that’s why, Muslims alone believe in all the Prophets (PBUT). Because all of the Prophets (PBUT), right from the first Prophet, Adam (PBUH) to the last Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) were Muslims and were preaching Islam. Since the Muslims believe in all the Prophets PBUT hence the Muslims alone as a nation is always extraordinarily responsive to the least blasphemy against any of the Prophets PBUT.
Islam - the Natural System of Divine Laws:
One of the basic meanings of Islam is submitting one’s will before the Creator Allah Almighty. So if we cite this basic meaning of Islam then one is left with no option but to say that Islam is virtually a comprehensive ‘Divine Code of Laws’ for all the creatures whatsoever viz the humankind, the animals, botanical life, the organic & inorganic entities in its all manifestations right through the universe. And this is why that all the creatures even the nonliving things follow the ‘Natural System of Divine Laws’ insofar as choice has not been granted to. Right from the tiny atom to the ever spending cosmos, all of them have been obeying the same ‘Religion of Divine Laws’ - the Divine Order without any exception. The entire flora and fauna of the entire universe follow absolutely the instinct code it has been fixed by the Creator, Almighty Allah.
There is absolutely only one God and all the prophets PBUT were appointed and sent by the one Allah Almighty and hence they PBUT brought and taught this only one religion, Islam to the one humanity created from the one parent family, Adam & Eve, in this one world and which has been in implementation as the ‘Divine Order’ mutatis mutandis in the entire universe, as well. Allah Almighty alone has pronounced and proven as such and save Him none has ever pronounced as such.
And so there has been absolutely oneness in Divinity, oneness in parentage of humanity, oneness in the Divine Books viz Al-Kitab, oneness in the preaching of the Prophets teachings, oneness in the composition of humanity, oneness in composition of natural living world, oneness in composition of natural nonliving world, oneness in the entire living beings, oneness in the universal facts, oneness in the scientific proven facts, oneness in the basics of morality, oneness in the natural laws, oneness in life, oneness in the fatality of all the creature, oneness in behavior of living as well as nonliving beings!!!
If ‘they’ want to trace the trails of humanity in terms of race the matter goes back to the father of humanity, viz Prophet Adam PBUH and if ‘they’ want to trace the trails of humanity in terms of religion the matter goes back to the Prophet Adam PBUH, whose religion was Islam!!! And above all, there is oneness in nature, oneness in the universe and oneness in the perfect knowledge; and Allah Almighty alone has claimed from the very beginning that He is the Creator of all beings & things whatsoever; organic or inorganic and that He alone has power all over creatures. For instance:
“Praise be to Allah, Who created (out of nothing) the heavens and the earth, Who made the angels, messengers with wings, two, or three, or four (pairs): He adds to Creation as He pleases: for Allah has power over all things. (Al Qur’an 35:1)
And none has ever claimed so let alone doing so. And as much as the mystery discloses all of the ‘Divine Proclamations’ are proved one by one.
Being the Divine Laws, Allah Almighty alone can amend or suspend the ‘Natural Laws’ and no one else can interfere in the realm. For instance according to natural law fire has been devised to scorch everything but it did not do that when Allah Almighty suspended this rule of fire in the case of Prophet Ibrahim PBUH, which had been ignited by his deniers for burning him (PBUH). Allah Almighty says: the Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) refused to lay His will before the then pagan Assyrian ruler, Nimrud. Hence his (PBUH) deniers responded with igniting fire for him (PBUH). Allah Almighty refers to;
“So naught was the answer of (Abraham's) people except that they said - "Slay him or burn him." But Allah did save him from the fire. “Verily in this are Signs for people who believe” (Al Qur’an 29:24).
Allah Almighty says further; “We said: O fire, be coolness and peace for Abraham” (Al Qur’an 21:69).
Similar exceptions from the ‘Divine Natural Laws’ known as ‘Miracles of the Prophets’ have been bestowed by Allah Almighty to almost all of His Prophets (PBUT).
None can escape the Divine Domain. Human being however has been granted some option by Allah Almighty in terms of obedience & defiance hence Human being alone can breach the Divine Laws but only in the domain where Allah Almighty has bestowed some option. So far rest of the creatures are concerned none in the creatures save the human being can break the Divine Laws. Neither the animals, the plants and nor the rest creature can choose alternative. None can consume or assume other than what has been designed for their consumption or assumption and so forth in terms of their other deliberations. And which means the overall submission of their will on their part to the Almighty Allah, all alone.
Rabb-al-Aalameen - Lord for all Worlds:
Allah Almighty is the ‘Rabb-al-Aalameen’ viz ‘Lord of the worlds’. Allah Almighty therefore Says in the Holy Qur’an:
“Whatever is in the heavens and on earth, doth declare the Praises and Glory of Allah. To Him belongs dominion, and to Him belongs praise - and He has power over all things”. (Surah At-Taghabun: 64 -1)
Rahmat-al-lil-Aalameen - Mercy for all Worlds:
Likewise His last Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) is the Universal Prophet and thus Allah Almighty says: “We sent thee (Mohammad) not, but as a Mercy for all creatures” (viz Rahmat-al-lil-Aalameen) (Holy Qur'an 21:107).
Nay,
"We have not sent you (Mohammad) but as a Messenger to all mankind, giving them glad tidings, and warning them (against sin), but most of men know not." (Surah Saba, 34:28).
Nay,
"Say (O Mohammad): 'O mankind! I am sent unto you all, as the Messenger of Allah, to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth." (Surah A’raf: 7-157)
Hidayat-al-lil-Aalameen - Guidance for all Worlds:
And so is the ‘Religion Islam’ which is the Universal Religion hence Allah Almighty says in the Holy Qur’an:
"Verily this (Islam) is no less than a message to all the worlds." viz Hidayat-al-lil-Aalameen - (Surah Atakwir: 81-27).
Similarly Allah Almighty says further; “The first House (of worship) appointed for men was that at Bekka (Mecca) - Full of blessing and of guidance for all kinds of beings” ( Surah Al-Imr’an: 3-96).
And so all the creatures, whatsoever, whosesoever, wheresoever, howsoever and whensoever are bound to bow their will before the Divine Will of the Allah Almighty, wherever there is no option from the Allah Almighty.
Right from the tiny atom to the massive celestial bodies in the immeasurable and ever expending cosmos has been complying absolutely with the Divine Order since their creation. Similar has been the case in living beings right from the tiny cells to the gigantic living beings.
At whatever time, if life traces will be found somewhere else in other planets, anywhere in the universe, Islam will be the ‘Divine Order’.
One must bear in mind that Muslim is the only nation who believes in one Allah Almighty, the last Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) along with all the Prophets (PBUT), ‘the Divine Books’ & ‘the Divine Manuscripts’ (howsoever they have not been distorted), ‘the Angles and the ‘Day of Judgment’ as have been ordained by Him the Almighty. And this is why that Muslims alone have been unanimous to maintain the sanctity of all the Prophets (PBUT). And this is why that none among other nations cares for them ever. And thus the Muslims have therefore upheld the last Divine Book, Al Qur’an given the blessing of Allah (SWT).
And one must not forget that nothing but this faith (viz Islam) along with the corresponding deeds (viz Islamic deeds) no color, caste and creed whatsoever making any distinction in humankind before Allah Almighty. Abu Talib ibn Abd al-Muttalib was Prophet Mohammad’s real & the friendliest uncle among the unbelievers, nevertheless this blood relationship & Personal love could not overcome the split between them. Similar was the case of Prophet Ibrahim PBUH; who was Abul Anbiya (viz Father of Prophets), nonetheless his own unbeliever father, Azar (viz Terah) found no relationship with him, PBUH. Parallel was the case of unbeliever son, and unbeliever wife of Prophet Noah PBUH with him (PBUH). Allah Almighty says in Holy Qur’an:
“O Mankind! Lo! We have created you from male and female - and have made nations - and tribes that ye may know one another. Lo! The noblest of you, in the sight of Allah, is the best in conduct. Lo! Allah is Knower - Aware.” (Surah Al-Hujurat: 39-13).
Conversely, all other nonbeliever-nations had been defying the ‘Divine Realities’ from the day one in the respective periods of the Holy Prophets PBUT and afterwards as a nation. Many of Holy Prophets PBUT have been killed or tortured by them. For, none of the Prophets PBUT was preaching any of other religion but Islam. They are refuting them right now as well by denying the universal message of Islam. Islam is not time specific. The unbelievers believing in anything but in one God, the Prophets, (PBUT), the Divine Books, the Divine Manuscripts, the Angles and the Day of Judgment as has been commanded by Allah Almighty. And this is why that no other nation has either protected other Divine Manuscripts or believing in or observing any sanctity about them. And thus have lost their respective Books, had been ascribed to the erstwhile Prophets (PBUT) by Allah Almighty for the erstwhile nations.
Likewise none in the world other than Muslims believes in any Prophet in the proper and true sense of the word, for none of the Prophets PBUT was preaching any religion but Islam. And given that all other nations, the Jews and Christians in particular have concocted very outlandish and ridiculous stories against the Holy Prophets (PBUT) sent to them for guidance. And it was for this reason that Christians believes in crucifixion of the Prophet, Isa Ibn Maryam viz ‘Jesus son of Mary’ (viz Jesus Messiah) PBUH. The question is; had the then Jews or Christians been His believers or followers, would have they preferred him (PBUH) to be crucified by themselves, even if their myth about the crucifixion is presumed?
In fact the erstwhile Jews had killed or caused to be killed brutally many of the erstwhile Prophets (PBUT). For example; the then Tetrarch of Galilee and Perea (4bc- ad39), Herod Antipas on demand of a dancer, Salome; the daughter of his concubine, Herodias (viz former wife of his half brother Herod) presented Prophet Yahya (viz John the Baptist) PBUH truncated head before her. (Matthew 14: 3, 12, Mark 6:14 -29, Luke 3:19-20).
So much so that when the Roman military governor, or procurator, Pontius Pilate asked the Jews crowd for exercising option to pardon the Jesus Messiah (PBUH) or the notorious robber, Barabbas. Jews crowd pressed in one voice for execution of the Prophet Jesus Messiah PBUH instead of the Barabbas. (Matthew 27:15, Mark 15:6, John 18:39).
The Gospels are also agreed that the then Jews religious leaders incited the people to agitate for the release of the robber, Barabbas and for the execution of Jesus Messiah. Likewise Judas Iscariot, an apostle of the Prophet Jesus Messiah PBUH, who according to the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, betrayed the Prophet Jesus PBUH by handing over him PBUH to the chief priest for 30 pieces of silver. (Matthew 27:3-5, Acts 1:16-20).
Can one still cling to the claim that the Jews or Christians were/are believers of the Isa Ibn Maryam (viz Jesus son of Mary) PBUH? All the references are chosen from the Holy Bibles.
However it was disclosed in the Holy Qur’an that Allah Almighty rescued the Prophet Isa Ibn Maryam PBUH in the words:
“And because of their saying; we slew the Messiah Isa son of Mary, Allah’s messenger - they slew him not, nor crucified, but it appeared so unto them; and lo! Those who disagree concerning it are in doubt thereof; they have no knowledge thereof save pursuit of a conjecture; they slew him not for certain. But Allah took him up unto Himself - Allah is ever Mighty, Wise”. (Surah An-Nisa: 4 - 157,158)
Each Prophet (PBUH) has claimed, declared and ratified by Allah Almighty to be a Prophet and Muslim. And given this fact all the Prophets PBUT have ratified each other as well as all their respective Divine Books as the Divine Books & Manuscripts would reveal. But none of the founder of any other creed has ever claimed, or has been declared and ratified by Allah Almighty to be a Muslim, let alone a Prophet.
The World Three Holiest Shrines:
All the three Grandest and Holiest Religious Shrines in the world i.e. (i) ‘Al-Masjid-Al- Haram’ (viz Mosque of Inviolable) or Beth-Allah-Sharif at ‘Mecca Al-Mukkaramah’ (viz Mecca the Blessed), (ii) ‘Messenger Mosque’ at ‘Medina Al-Munawwara’ (viz Medina the Radiant) (iii) and ‘Al Masjid Al Aqsa’ or Al-Beth-al-Maqdis or Al-Haram Al-Sharif in ‘Al Qods Al Sharif’ were built by Prophets (PBUT) primarily. Whereas the ‘Dome of the Rock’ (viz Al-Qubbat As-Sakhrah in Arabic) is part of the ‘Noble Sanctuary’, (viz Al-Haram Al-Sharif) the third Holiest Islamic Shrine situated in Jerusalem (viz Al Qods Al Sharif). The 5th Caliph, Abd-al-Malik built the ‘Dome of the Rock’ in 72 AH (691AC) by employing Byzantine craftsmen from Constantinople sent to the Caliph by the Byzantine Emperor.
‘Al-Masjid-Al-Haram’ (one of its name is: Beth-al-Ateeq, imply the Ancient House) - originally was built by Prophet Adam (PBUH), refurbished by Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) along with His son Prophet Ismael (PBUH), whose era is round about 800/900 years before the Prophet Moses PBUH and 1300 years before the Prophet Suleiman PBUH.
Al Masjid Al Nabawi (viz the Messenger Mosque) was built by Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) along with His Companions (Allah be pleased with them) immediately after the Hijrah (viz migration) to ‘Medina Al-Munawwara’ in 1 AH viz 622 AD. And
‘Al-Haram Al-Sharif’ or Al Beth-al-Maqdis or Ard Maqdis: This caption demands to be dealt with in detail:
At the heart of ‘Al Qods Al Sharif’ (viz Al Beth-al-Maqdis’ in Arabic), (viz Yerusalem in Hebrew), (Jerusalem in English) there is a ‘Noble Sanctuary’ or ‘Al-Haram Al-Sharif’ or ‘Old City’ or ‘Walled City’. This Holy and Sacred ‘Al Haram Al Sharif’ was originated by Prophet King Daud (viz Prophet David) PBUH and completed by his son, the Prophet King, Suleiman (Solomon) PBUH round about 3000 year ago. These two magnificent Prophets Kings; David and Solomon PBUT alone are mentioned no fewer than 33 times in the Holy Qur’an.
Whereas according to some renowned Muslim historians, this was constructed in the first instance by Prophet Ibrahim PBUH after 40 years of constructing the First Holiest Shrine; ‘Al Masjid Al Haram’ in ‘Mecca the Blessed’.
And there is a holy saying as well: “Abu Dhar (RA) is quoted as saying, I asked the beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) Which was the first Mosque on earth? ‘The Sacred Mosque (in Mecca),’ he said. And then which, I asked? ‘Masjid al Aqsa,’ he said. I further asked, what was the time span between the two? ‘Forty years,’ the Prophet (peace be upon him) replied”. (Muslim)
Anyhow, then in his era after discovering first the Holy Site of the third Muslim Holiest Shrine, the Prophet King Daud PBUH originated its construction which was mostly completed by his son, Prophet King Suleiman PBUH after his succession.
This third Muslim Holiest Shrine, ‘Al Haram Al Sharif’ enclosing over 35 acres, comprising of ‘Al Mosque Al Aqsa’ - ‘Al Mosque Al Omar’ - ‘Al Qubbat Al Sakhrah’ (viz Dome of Rock) - ‘Al Qubbat Al Silsilah’ (viz Dome of Chain) - David wells - Al Boraq Wall - Islamic Museum - fountains - gardens - buildings - domes - and many other numerous sacred entities is known as Al-Haram Al-Sharif or Al Beit Al Maqdis. This is the locale which is claimed as ‘Temple Mount’ by Jews and is mentioned as ‘Solomon’s Temple’ by Christian authors. This Muslim Sacred City namely ‘Al Qods’ is situated in a historical region known as Palestine, corruption of the name; Filistin and which is also known by so many other names; The Promised Land’ - ‘The Land of the Book’ - ‘The Land of Canaan’ and ‘The Holy Land’ etc.
And this whole land of Palestinians is now the territory of illegal state; Jewish State of Israel. This Jewish State of Israel which was founded in 1948 is nothing more than the grabbed land of historical region of Palestine. An instrument, notoriously known as the Balfour Declaration prepared in March 1916 and issued in November 1917, during World War I, by the British writer Arthur James Balfour, who was the then foreign secretary in the cabinet of Prime Minister David Lloyd George and whereby explicitly expressed the British government's approval of Zionism with “the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people.”
Above all, this is the third Islamic Holiest Shrine has been termed as Al Masjid Al Aqsa (viz the Farthest Mosque) in Holy Qur’an as under:
“Glory be to Him Who had His servant travel by night from ‘al Masjid al Haram’ to ‘al Masjid-al-Aqsa’ whose surroundings We have blessed, so We might show him some of Our signs! He is the Alert, the Observant!” (Surah Al Isra 17.1)
The wall that has enclosed the aforementioned Al Haram Al Sharif was also constructed by Muslim Ottoman Emperor Suleiman I during his reign in 1538 AD (or 1542 AD).
Given this sacredness, second Caliph, Omar Ibn al-Khattāb viz ‘Farooq the Great’ accepted the request of his presence in person had been made by the Christians for the peaceful surrender of Jerusalem and so on that occasion He (Allah be pleased with him) executed a covenant “Covenant of Omar” with the then Christians Patriarch Sophronius in the year A.D. 637 - and since then this third Muslim Holiest Shrine continued to be in Arab Muslims hands for nearly 900 years, and in non Arab Muslims hands for nearly 1,300 years, with a break for more than one thousand years when Al Qods (Jerusalem) was in the hands of the Crusaders. In the covenant between the Muslims and the Patriarchs of Jerusalem, a specific proviso had also been incorporated there to that ‘no Jews shall reside with them i.e. Christians.
According to Al Qur’an Al Sharif and other authentic historical sources as well David & Solomon were both Prophets and Kings assigned by God Almighty. Allah Almighty therefore reveals in His Holy Qur’an:
“So they routed them by Allah's leave and David slew Goliath; and Allah gave him the kingdom and wisdom, and taught him of that which He willeth. And if Allah had not repelled some men by others the earth would have been corrupted. But Allah is a Lord of Kindness to (His) creatures”. (Surah Al Baqarah 2.251)
“And thy Lord is Best Aware of all who are in the heavens and the earth. And we preferred some of the prophets above others, and unto David We gave the Psalms”.
(Surah Al Isra 17.55)
“And We bestowed upon him Isaac and Jacob; each of them We guided; and Noah did We guide aforetime; and of his seed (We guided) David and Solomon and Job and Joseph and Moses and Aaron. Thus do We reward the good”. (Surah Al An’am 6.084)
“Lo! We inspire thee as We inspired Noah and the prophets after him, as We inspired Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the Tribes, and Jesus and Job and Jonah and Aaron and Solomon, and as We imparted unto David the Psalms” (Surah An-Nisa – 4.163)
“And We verily gave knowledge unto David and Solomon, and they said: Praise be to Allah, Who hath preferred us above many of His believing slaves! (Surah An -Naml -27.15)
“And Solomon was David's heir. And he said: O mankind! Lo! we have been taught the language of birds, and have been given (abundance) of all things. This surely is evident favour”. (Surah An -Naml -27.16)
“We gave David bounty from Ourself: "O mountains, echo back [God's praises] along with him! And [so may] the birds." We softened iron for him: "Make suits of armor and measure out the links in mail, and act honorably; I am Observant of anything you do." (Surah Saba - 34.10)
“Solomon possessed the wind; it would blow for a month in one direction and then blow back for [another] month. We melted down a font of brass for him. There were some sprites who worked in front of him by his Lord's permission, and We let any of them who wavered from Our command taste torment from the Blaze. They worked away for him just as he wished on shrines and images, bowls as big as troughs and built-in cauldrons: "Give thanks, O House of David!" Yet few of My servants are grateful”. (Surah Saba 34.12-13)
“Those of the Children of Israel who went astray were cursed by the tongue of David, and of Jesus, son of Mary. That was because they rebelled and used to transgress”. (Surah Al Ma’idah - 5.78)
“Bethink thee of the leaders of the Children of Israel after Moses, how they said unto a prophet whom they had: Set up for us a king and we will fight in Allah's way. He said: Would ye then refrain from fighting if fighting were prescribed for you? They said: Why should we not fight in Allah's way when we have been driven from our dwellings with our children? Yet, when fighting was prescribed for them, they turned away, all save a few of them. Allah is aware of evil-doers”. (Surah Al Baqarah 2.246).
Since there is no room for doubt in the Prophethood of Prophets David & Solomon PBUT, hence no question of doubt can be arisen that Prophets David & Solomon PBUT would have built a Mosque, viz ‘House of God’ on the Holy Site and not a synagogue or temple. Similarly is the case in case, Prophet Ibrahim PBUH is supposed the first builder of al Masjid Al Aqsa. For, the Prophets PBUT could not be supposed to build cloister, church, synagogue. And this is why that Allah Almighty has used the term “mosque” for the third Holiest Shrine, as ‘al Masjid-al Aqsa’ in the Holy Qur’an and not as cloister, church, synagogue or ‘the first temple’ as are being misbelieved by Jews. Occasionally this ‘Muslim Holy Shrine’ has been in occupation of Jews & Christians but this does not connote that the ‘Al Masjid Al Aqsa’ converted into their cloister, church, synagogue or temple. As ‘Al -Masjid-Al-Haram’ at Mecca had also been in the occupation of nonbelievers occasionally but that did not denote the conversion of the ‘Al -Masjid-Al-Haram’ into cloister, church, synagogue.
Here I pose two questions in regard Al Haram Al Sharif or Al Masjid Al Aqsa, which are of vital importance; firstly, what was the name of ‘Al Aqsa Mosque’ (the farthest Mosque) viz ‘Al Beth Al Maqdis’ when Jerusalem was occupied in result of a very stern military action by Romans and the same was destroyed by the Roman Commander, Titus, son of the then Roman Emperor, namely Titus Flavius Sabinus Vespasianus in 70 AC? And secondly, what was the name of the ‘Al Aqsa Mosque’ (the farthest Mosque) viz ‘Al Beth Al Maqdis’ when the same was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar II, King of Babylonia in 587 BC? The most reliable answer is in the most & only reliable book, Al Qur’an. Allah Almighty says in Holy Qur’an:
“Glory to (Allah) Who did take His servant for a Journey by night from ‘al-Masjid al-Haram’ to ‘al-Masjid al-Aqsa’ whose precincts We did bless, - in order that We might show him some of Our Signs - for He is the One Who heareth and seeth (all things).” (Surah Isra/Bani Israel 17:1)
Whereas in holy verse No: 7 of the same Surah, Allah Almighty covers the two times destruction of the Holy place of worship at too different occasions; for second time in 70 AD - and for the first time in 587 BC in the words:

إِنْ أَحْسَنتُمْ أَحْسَنتُمْ لِأَنفُسِكُمْ وَإِنْ أَسَأْتُمْ فَلَهَا فَإِذَا جَاء وَعْدُ الآخِرَةِ لِيَسُوؤُواْ وُجُوهَكُمْ وَلِيَدْخُلُواْ الْمَسْجِدَ كَمَا دَخَلُوهُ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ وَلِيُتَبِّرُواْ مَا عَلَوْاْ تَتْبِيراً
Now its transliteration for convenience of those who can’t read Arabic:
“In ahsantum ahsantum li-anfusikum wa-in asa/tum falaha fa-itha jaa waAAdu al-akhirati liyasoo-oo wujoohakum waliyadkhuloo almasjida kama dakhaloohu awwala marratin waliyutabbiroo ma AAalaw tatbeeran”.
The translations of this Holy Verse by two eminent scholars, Maulana Shakir & Maulana Muhsin Khan are as under respectively:
“If you do good, you will do good for your own souls, and if you do evil, it shall be for them. So when the second promise came (We raised another people) that they may bring you to grief and that they may enter Mosque (viz al masjid) as they entered it the first time, and that they might destroy whatever they gained ascendancy over with utter destruction.”
(And We said): "If you do good, you do good for your own selves, and if you do evil (you do it) against yourselves." Then, when the second promise came to pass, (We permitted your enemies) to make your faces sorrowful and to enter Mosque (viz al masjid) (of Jerusalem) as they had entered it before, and to destroy with utter destruction all that fell in their hands.”
Here in both of these Holy Verses, Allah Almighty has disclosed the fact that status of the Holy Place of worship referred to above was that of a Masjid right from the outset, irrespective of the intermittent desecration of even both; the first & third Holiest Shrines aforementioned, by the nonbelievers. Gold can’t be altered by putting it in the dirt. Putting idols or other man made sacred objects in such Holy places in odd times of Muslims does not mean alteration of their original rank. The ‘Al -Masjid-Al-Haram’ was also cleaned out of idols by Prophet Mohammad PBUH immediately after the victorious entry in the ‘Mecca the Blessed’. All the world three Muslim Holiest Shrines are ‘Divine’ and ‘Islamic’ in origin hence they are legacy of Islam & Prophets PBUT of Islam and thus Muslims are the only legal & legitimate successor & heir in re thereof .
Nay, Allah Almighty has used the word ‘Al Masjid’ for the worship place of Muslims. So far the worship places of other than Muslims are concerned Allah Almighty has used the word sawamiAAun (viz cloisters), for the worship places of the Monks, biyaAAun, (viz churches) for the worship place of Christians and salawatun, (viz synagogues) for the worship place of Jews - and the name; Masajidu has only been given to Muslims worship places. Nay, Allah Almighty has also cleared the fact that wherein the name of “Allah” are frequently mentioned, for though not perfectly, they also believe in God as the following Holy Verse would reveal:
“Those who have been wronged are permitted to fight (back) - since God is Able to support them - any who have been driven from their homes unjustly, merely because they say: "Our Lord is God (Alone)." If it were not because God repels some men by means of others, cloisters, churches, synagogues and mosques where God's name is mentioned frequently would have been demolished.” (Surah Al Hajj - 22.40)
And due to the aforementioned holiness, Allah Almighty signifies as under in other places of Holy Qur’an:
“O my people! Go into the holy land which Allah hath ordained for you. Turn not in flight, for surely ye turn back as losers.” (Al-Maida 5: 21)
Further the Holy Qur’an states:
“And unto Solomon (We subdued) the wind in its raging. It set by his command toward the land which We had blessed. And of everything We are Aware.” (Al-Anbiyaa 21: 81)
All the above mentioned three Grandest and the Holiest Muslim Religious Shrines in the world has also been mentioned as Mosques by the Prophet Mohammad PBUH. Abu Huraira (RA) is quoted as saying that Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said, ‘set out deliberately on a journey only to three mosques: this mosque of mine (in Medina), the Sacred Mosque (in Mecca) and the Masjid al Aqsa (in Jerusalem) (Bukhari & Muslim).
Abu Dhar (RA) is quoted as saying, I asked the beloved Prophet Muhammad [peace be upon him] which was the first mosque on earth? ‘The Sacred Mosque (in Mecca),’ he said. And then which, I asked? ‘Masjid al Aqsa,’ he said. I further asked, what was the time span between the two? ‘Forty years,’ the Prophet [peace be upon him] replied. (Muslim)
Jews account about the Al Haram Al Sharif:
Now let see what is the Jews account about the ‘Al Haram Al Sharif’ (viz Al Beth-al-Maqdis) and the site thereof. I try to state their account directly in their own words of the holy books, the underlining is mine so as submit my point articulately:
“And the days that David reigned over Israel were forty years: seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem.” (Kings 1.11)
“And Solomon sat upon the throne of David his father; and his kingdom was established firmly.” (Kings 1.12)
“it was in fact still the private property of Araunah, the city's former Jebusite king. For various reasons David did not confiscate the site but preferred to buy it from Auranah for full value: "So David paid Ornan [Auranah] for the site 600 shekels' worth of gold. And David built there an altar to the Lord and sacrificed burn offerings and offerings of well-being" (1 Chronicles 21:25, and a slightly different version at 2 Samuel 24:18-25).
“King Solomon ruled over the people of Israel about three thousand years ago. Although Solomon did make mistakes, God has a place of honor for him in the Bible. Solomon prayed to God for an understanding heart, and the Bible tells us that God was delighted to give him wisdom”. (1 Kings 3:8-13).
“Solomon did not ask for riches, but God generously gave him riches (1 Kings 3:13). Solomon had greater riches and wisdom than any other king on earth”. (I Kings 10:23).
“Behold, I am about to build a house for the name of the LORD my God, to dedicate it to Him, and to burn before Him incense of sweet spices, and for the continual showbread, and for the burnt-offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the appointed seasons of the LORD our God. This is an ordinance for ever to Israel.” (Chronicles 2 -2,3)
“Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem in mount Moriah, where [the LORD] appeared unto David his father; for which provision had been made in the Place of David, in the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.” (Chronicles 2 -3,1)
“Thus all the work that Solomon wrought for the house of the LORD was finished. {S} And Solomon brought in the things that David his father had hallowed; even the silver, and the gold, and all the vessels, and put them in the treasuries of the house of God”. (Chronicles 2- 5,1)
“Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the princes of the fathers' houses of the children of Israel, unto Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which is Zion”. (Chronicles 2- 5.2)
“There was nothing in the ark save the two tables which Moses put there at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of Egypt”. (Chronicles 2- 5.10)
“but I have chosen Jerusalem, that My name might be there; and have chosen David to be over My people Israel”. (Chronicles 2- 6.6)
“Now it was in the heart of David my father to build a house for the name of the LORD, the God of Israel”. (Chronicles 2- 6.7)
“And there have I set the ark, wherein is the covenant of the LORD, which He made with the children of Israel.” (Chronicles 2- 6.11)
“Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt-offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house”. (Chronicles 2- 7.1)
“And king Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty and two thousand oxen, and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the people dedicated the house of God”. (Chronicles 2- 7.5)
So now the conclusions that can be inferred, some directly and some consequently from their holy books can be summarized as under:
That what both of them; David & Solomon had built was a ‘House of God’ or Masjid (viz Mosque) and never a synagogue, cloister or temple. All the Muslims believe in firmly that both Daud & Suleiman (viz David & Solomon) were Prophets and Kings of Bani Israel assigned by Allah Almighty, for one and the same purpose of preaching Islam as has been assigned all other Prophets PBUT by Him Almighty in different times to different peoples. And being so many of Bani Israel proclaimed Islam in the pursuance thereof - and therefore Prophet Suleiman PBUH built a ‘House of God’ for the erstwhile Muslims praying and not for Jews, Christians or others. So the Noble Sanctuary is Muslims legacy. All Jews may be Bani Israel but all Bani-Israel are not Jews. With exception of Islam, all other creeds including, Judaism, Christianity are nothing more than counterfeit currency to confront the currency of Islam. And above all, no less than the Holy Qur’an is our deed to this effect. Prophets can’t be supposed to built anything else than a Mosque for Muslims praying. No Prophet of Allah Almighty can be singled out to have built synagogue, cloister or temple for Muslims praying. It is beyond their authority and can’t be imagined even. Allah Almighty has given the name ‘Masjid’ only to Muslims Worship Places. Jews calling their worship places synagogues whereas Christians calling theirs ‘Churches’. Jews and Christians have neither used the word Masjid ever for their worship places throughout the history and nor they can do so. Sacredness for Muslims means anything that has been declared as such by Allah Almighty. So had the ‘Al Haram Al Sharif’ not been ‘Al Masjid Al Aqsa’ then Muslims won’t have been so much involved in the same. And this is why Muslims have ruled all over the world but Muslims hold only three Holiest Shrines; ‘Al Masjid Al Haram’ in ‘Mecca the Blessed’ - ‘Al Masjid Al Nabawi’ in ‘Medina the Radiant’ - and the ‘Al Haram Al Sharif’ (viz Al Masjid Al Aqsa) in ‘Al Qods Al Sharif’ simply because Allah Almighty has declared them as such. And alone the Muslims are having the only authentic and reliable deed; the Holy Qur’an over the sanctity of them. Thus all the three Holiest Shrines are the integral part of Muslim faith. Challenging them means nothing less than challenging Muslims Faith. This noble sanctuary has remained in Muslims hands for more than 1300 years. So neither Muslims can be separated there from nor would they be able to stomach part of Muslim faith!!!
Allah Almighty has also disclosed that Prophet Isa’s mother; Maryam and her maternal uncle, Prophet Zachariah PBUH had also been there for praying Allah Almighty and preaching of Islam so it means beyond doubt that Al Haram Al Sharif in Al Qods has been a Mosque. The question is; whether they could pray in a place other than a Masjid (Mosque)? Allah Almighty says in Holy Qur’an:
“And her Lord accepted her with full acceptance and vouchsafed to her a goodly growth; and made Zachariah her guardian. Whenever Zachariah went into the al mihrab where she was, he found that she had food. He said: O Mary! Whence cometh unto thee this (food)? She answered: It is from Allah. Allah giveth without stint to whom He will”. (Al Imr’an 003.037)
“While he was standing in prayer in al mihrab, the angels called unto him: "Allah doth give thee glad tidings of Yahya, witnessing the truth of a Word from Allah, and (be besides) noble, chaste, and a prophet,- of the (goodly) company of the righteous." (Al Imr’an 3.39)
Apart from the aforementioned three World Holiest Shrines all other places and locations pertaining to the manmade creeds, if are sacred according to the respective faiths are also manmade just like their manmade creeds, and hence are man-sanctified. And given this fact the names of worships places of all other creeds are also manmade.
The subject is very simple to comprehend. All the three main religions viz Islam, Judaism and Christianity and the main three Divine Books, The Holy Qur’an, The Holy Torah, (the Old Testament) and The Holy Gospel (viz the New Testament) are agreed upon at one amongst other facts is; that Prophet Adam and his wife Eve PBUT are the ascendant parents of the entire human race. Modern science has also proved this fact. Obviously, Prophet Adam & his wife PBUT landed on this earth as one couple - apparently their religion, language, culture, civilization was also one and the same - subsequently they developed family which was apparently limited in the first instant and grown with passage of time accordingly. Since parents were Muslim hence their immediate family would also have been Muslims (or at least could have not been Jew or Christian or else), for perceptibly there was no other creed at that movement. And with passage of time the parent family would have developed into tribe and the tribe into tribes and then the tribes into nation and this way the nation into nations. And thus with passage of time and space (viz expanse) the differences among them would have sprouted and protruded intermittently - and thus they would have branched out fitfully as different outfits. And so whenever the ‘Divine Directions’ were got polluted, Allah Almighty preferred to choose among them the Prophets PBUT and send them accordingly to the respective populations - as and when Allah Almighty pleased to decide in the emerging circumstances. So as to be drawn the people inward to the real ‘Divine Directions’ from the missed and mixed up ones - and refurbish it according to the available circumstances. And hence 124,000 Prophets PBUT are believed to have been assigned the task by Allah Almighty. And given this fact all the Prophets PBUT had been preaching nothing but Islam - and this is why that the Muslims alone as a nation have been owning and believing all of them PBUT. And this is why that none as a nation amongst other nations has ever owned or believed them as Prophets PBUT - rather all of them PBUT had been defied, many had been martyred or tortured in their respective tenures by the respective nations other than Muslims. And this is why that according to Muslims all the Prophets PBUT have been equally sacred - and exactly vice versa according to other nations. And this is why that ‘The Ka’ba’ in Mecca (viz Bibekkata Mubaraka) was meant to be the Qiblah from the beginning. As the Rabbal-Aalameen (viz God of Worlds) has revealed in the Holy Qur’an:
“Most surely the first house appointed for mankind is the one at Bekka, (viz Mecca) blessed and guidance for the nations” viz lil-Aalameena. ( Surah Al-Imr’an: 3-96).

Aftab Alam Advocate (High Court)
Swat, Pakistan.

[Greatwarrior]

thanks