Al-Aqsa Mosque is a mosque situated in Jerusalem, specifically in the Old City, at the endpoint of the Prophet Muhammad’s Isrāʾ journey. Islamic texts state that the Qurʾān (17:1) reveals that Muhammad was miraculously transported one night from Mecca (al-masjid al-ḥaram, meaning “the sacred place of worship”) to this location in Jerusalem (al-masjid al-aqṣā, translating to “the farther place of worship”). At this site, he led Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and other messengers (rusul) of God in ritual prayer (ṣalāt). On that same night, he ascended to heaven from the location of the Dome of the Rock for a divine encounter with God (refer to Miʿrāj). The designation Al-Aqsa Mosque is frequently used to refer to the entire plaza encompassing both the mosque and the Dome of the Rock, although this plaza is officially known as Al-Ḥaram al-Sharīf (“the Noble Sanctuary”).

In contemporary times, the mosque and the plaza have emerged as a significant point of contention in the Arab-Israeli conflict. Beyond its relevance to Muslims, the plaza is also meaningful to Jews as the location of the Temple of Jerusalem, which was destroyed in its Herodian form in 70 CE. Referred to as the Temple Mount by Jews, the plaza and the nearby Western Wall have since become a destination for pilgrimage. During the Six-Day War in 1967, Israel, a state established in 1948, took control of East Jerusalem and its Old City, which had previously been part of Jordan. Although Israel subsequently annexed East Jerusalem, the plaza remained under the management of an Islamic trust (waqf) overseen by the Hashemite dynasty in Jordan. In the ensuing decades, however, limitations on Palestinian Muslims’ access to the site, along with Israeli excavation activities in the surrounding area and the eviction of Palestinian residents from adjacent neighborhoods, heightened concerns among Muslims regarding the future of this sacred site. For further details on Al-Ḥaram al-Sharīf and its importance, please refer to the Dome of the Rock and Temple Mount.

What is the significance of Masjid Al-Aqsa?
Masjid Al-Aqsa holds great importance in Islam as Muslims believe that the Prophet Muhammad was taken from the Sacred Mosque in Mecca to Al-Aqsa during the Night Journey, and subsequently ascended to heaven. It is also believed that the Prophet Muhammad led prayers facing this site until Allah instructed him to turn towards the Kaaba.

It was the second mosque established in Islam, built 40 years after the Kaaba, and is referenced in the Qur’an as being ‘holy’ and ‘blessed’ in various passages.

“Glorified be He [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. Verily He is the All Hearing, All Seeing.” Surah Isra (17:1)

Islamic texts indicate that the Prophet Muhammad instructed his followers to undertake a special pilgrimage to one of three significant mosques: Masjid Al-Haram in Mecca, Al Masjid An-Nabawi in Madinah, and Masjid Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem. Prayers performed in these revered mosques yield extraordinary blessings, with worshippers receiving at least 500 times the reward of prayers conducted elsewhere.

A source of solace and hope
This Ramadan, millions of Palestinians will continue to endure immense suffering during this sacred month. In Gaza, 50% of the population lacks sufficient food, and many families will fast throughout the day without anything to break their fast at iftar. Compounding the situation, a severe water shortage is affecting the lives of thousands of families.

Numerous Palestinians will seek spiritual refuge in Masjid Al-Aqsa, dedicating long nights to worship during the holy month of Ramadan. However, as night descends, they will find themselves enveloped in darkness.

Masjid Al Aqsa – Aqsa.org