Ayatullah S. Mujtaba Nur Mufidi on the eve of Quds Day: The issue of Quds and Al-Aqsa Mosque is not merely a political issue, but a matter of belief. The fact that Imam Khumayni (may Allah’s mercy be upon him) took a position on Palestine 60 years ago and until today, when the Leader of the Revolution shows this sensitivity, and the great religious authorities have always emphasized it, is due to these ideological roots. The issue of Quds is an Islamic issue, not an Arab one, and it is not specific to a particular religion, but everyone must show sensitivity towards it and stand with strength, power, and resistance against the Zionist conspiracy, and God willing, the day will come when the good news of the Prophet (s) based on the conquest of Jerusalem will be realized.

Sometimes it is asked why we should show sensitivity and react to the crimes of the Zionist regime, but what is the importance of Al-Aqsa Mosque and Jerusalem that such governments and nations, especially the nations of the region, react in this regard?

I will briefly review the narrations that have been reported about Al-Aqsa Mosque to make the importance of this issue completely clear. The issue of Al-Aqsa Mosque is not simply a political issue that we want to evade or ignore through political interactions. It is a matter of belief.

The narrations that have been reported about Al-Aqsa Mosque and Jerusalem, that is, that city and that region, are very important narrations. The events that have occurred in that place have turned it into a very distinguished place that constitutes the identity of the Islamic community, and therefore they cannot take this identity away through pressure, force, intimidation, and oppression. The issue is not just a matter of the residents of that region. It is true that the Palestinians who live in that area have a right as those who were born and raised there, but above the rights of the people of that land is the attachment that the Islamic nations have to that area. The fact that Imam Khumayni (may Allah have mercy on him) took a stand on this issue from sixty years ago until today, when the Leader of the Revolution shows these sensitivities and the religious authorities have always had this sensitivity, is due to these ideological roots.

These narrations have been included in both Shi’i and Sunni narrative communities:

1. Al-Aqsa Mosque is the place from where the Prophet went to the Ascension.

2. It is the first Qiblah of Muslims.

3. It is the second mosque built on earth.

4. The wish of the divine prophets was to be there or to be buried there. That is, this place is one of the places that the divine prophets had a connection to.

5. Visiting there and praying there causes the forgiveness of sins. It is narrated that when Prophet Solomon finished building Jerusalem, he asked God for three things, one of which was that whoever entered this mosque with the intention of praying would be cleansed of his sins as on the day he was born. After narrating this, the Prophet said: God has given me two of those three things, and I hope that He will give me the third, which was the prayer at Al-Aqsa Mosque, which was also achieved. On the night of the Ascension, this was achieved when the Prophet prayed two rak’ahs at Al-Aqsa Mosque.

6. It is mentioned as one of the best lands of God.

7. In some narrations, it is mentioned that it is the place of the migration of the believers at the end of time.

8. In a narration from the Prophet, it is mentioned that it is the land where the dead will be gathered.

9. The Imam of the Time (‘a) will take up residence and settle in Jerusalem.

10. The place of the reappearance of Jesus is there.

11. The place of the Islamic Caliphate at the end of time is there.

12. The Holy Prophet of Islam gave the good news of the conquest of Jerusalem before the end of the world.

However, in various narrations, Al-Aqsa Mosque and that area have been considered important. Of course, it is also important for the Jews in some ways. They also have a connection to it. But in any case, Jerusalem is a very sacred place for the Islamic community.

This is not just a matter of a nation that we are doing this for a particular nation, this sensitivity must definitely exist.

The Zionist regime has deeper conspiracies and evil deeds and intentions that they intended to do in advance but failed. They have repeatedly intended to destroy the mosque, meaning to gradually destroy this Islamic monument and in the long run, turn it into a symbol and a monument of Judaism and other artifacts. There was no history or civilization of Islam and Muslims there. They have plans in mind, because in the past years, in 1945, these were simple events that have now turned into an illegitimate country that will expel Muslims from their own land and rule there.

Anyway, this is a very important Islamic issue, not Arabic or specific to a particular religion. Rather, it is an Islamic issue and everyone must show sensitivity and stand strong against this conspiracy, and God willing, the day will come when the good news of the Prophet about the conquest of Jerusalem will be realized.