Ayatullah Sayyid Mujtaba Nur Mufidi: The Issue of Quds and Al-Aqsa Mosque Is Not Merely a Political Issue, but a Doctrinal One

Ayatullah Sayyid 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 doctrinal one.
That Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) took a stance regarding Palestine since 60 years ago down to today where the Leader of the Revolution demonstrates this sensitivity and the Grand Marja’s (sources of emulation) have consistently emphasized it stems from these very doctrinal roots.
The issue of Quds is an Islamic issue, not an Arab one, and is not exclusive to a specific school of thought; rather, everyone must demonstrate sensitivity toward it and stand with power, strength, and resistance against the Zionist conspiracy. God willing, a day will come when the glad tidings of the Prophet (PBUH) regarding the conquest of Bayt al-Maqdis will be fulfilled.

Sometimes the question is asked: Why must one demonstrate sensitivity and reaction against the crimes of the Zionist regime? What importance do Al-Aqsa Mosque and Quds hold that governments and nations—especially nations of the region—react in this manner?

I will briefly review the narrations recorded regarding Al-Aqsa Mosque so that the importance of this issue becomes completely clear. The issue of Al-Aqsa Mosque is not merely a political issue that we can deviate from or pass over through political interactions; it is a doctrinal issue.

The narrations recorded about Al-Aqsa Mosque and Quds—meaning that city and region—are very important narrations. The events that occurred in that place transformed it into a most distinguished stature and location that forms the identity of Islamic society; hence, they cannot strip away this identity through pressure, force, intimidation, and oppression. The issue is not merely the residents of that region. While it is true that Palestinians living in that region hold a right as people whose birthplace and homeland it is, above the rights held by the people of that land is the heart-felt attachment that Islamic nations possess toward that region. That Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) took a stance on this matter 60 years ago down to today where the Leader of the Revolution demonstrates these sensitivities and sources of emulation (Marja’s) have consistently maintained this sensitivity stems from these very doctrinal roots.

These narrations are recorded in both Shia and Sunni Hadith collections:

Al-Aqsa Mosque is the place from which the Prophet (PBUH) ascended to heaven (Mi’raj).
It is the first Qiblah of Muslims.
It is the second mosque built on earth.
It was the wish of Divine Prophets to be there or be buried there; meaning this location is among places to which Divine Prophets held deep attachment.
Pilgrimage (ziyarah) and prayer there bring about the forgiveness of sins. In a narration, when Solomon (peace be upon him) completed the construction of Bayt al-Maqdis, he requested three things from God, one of which was that whoever enters this mosque with the intention of prayer be cleansed of sins just like the day he was born. After narrating this, the Prophet (PBUH) stated: Allah granted me two of those three things, and I hope He grants me the third—which was prayer in Al-Aqsa Mosque—and this too was fulfilled. On the night of Ascension (Mi’raj), this was fulfilled when the Prophet (PBUH) offered a two-rak’ah prayer in Al-Aqsa Mosque.
It is remembered as one of the best lands of God.
In certain narrations, it is recorded as the location of migration (hijrah) for believers in the End of Times.
In a narration from the Prophet (PBUH), it is recorded that it is the land where the dead will be resurrected.
The Imam of the Age (may Allah hasten his reappearance) will take place and settle in Bayt al-Maqdis.
It is the location of the advent of Jesus (peace be upon him).
It is the site of Islamic governance in the End of Times.
The Noble Prophet of Islam gave the glad tidings of the conquest of Bayt al-Maqdis prior to the end of the world.

In any case, in narrations from various aspects, Al-Aqsa Mosque and that region are considered of immense importance. Of course, in certain respects, it also holds importance for Jews, who also maintain attachments there. However, Bayt al-Maqdis is a deeply sacred location for the Islamic community.

Here it is not merely a matter of a single nation for whom we act specifically; this sensitivity must unequivocally exist.

The Zionist regime harbors deeper conspiracies and evil intentions that they intended to carry out previously but failed. Repeatedly they intended to destroy the structure of the mosque—that is, gradually erasing this Islamic monument so that in the long run it transforms into a symbol and artifact of Judaism, as if no precedent or civilization of Islam and Muslims existed there. They hold schemes in mind; just as in past years around 1945, these simple events transformed into an illegitimate state seeking to expel Muslims from their own land and rule there usurpingly.

In any case, this is a most crucial Islamic issue—not an Arab one, nor exclusive to a specific school of thought. Rather, it is an Islamic issue, and everyone must demonstrate sensitivity, standing with power, strength, and resistance against this conspiracy. God willing, a day will arrive when the Prophet’s glad tidings regarding the conquest of Bayt al-Maqdis will be fulfilled.