Ash-Sham, the land of Greater Syria (the Levant) including Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Palestine has a distinctive significance in Islam being mentioned in both the Quran and the Sunnah (Prophetic traditions) as well as widely commented on by historians and scholars during the last 14 centuries.
The name Bilad Ash-Sham in Arabic translates as “the left-hand region” so named from the perspective of the people of the Hejaz (western Arabia), who considered themselves to be facing the rising sun, that the Syrian region was positioned to their left, while to their right was al-Yaman (“the right-hand-region”).
The following passages mentioned highlight the blessed nature of the land, with specific reference to Jerusalem as a place of significance in Islamic history:
Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Holy House, a blessed sanctuary with a steadfast location, a sacred land, the first Qibla, direction of the Islamic daily prayer and the gateway to heaven, the heritage of ancestors and the responsibility of descendants, the Muhammadan (s) ascension, and the commitment of the second caliph Omar (r).
The Al-Aqsa Mosque is the second mosque built on Earth for the worship of Allah and His oneness, as the Kaaba was built 40 years before it. In the authentic Hadith reported by Abu Dharr al-Ghifari (r), he said, ‘I asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, which mosque was placed on Earth first?’ He said, ‘The Sacred Mosque (in Makkah).’ I asked, ‘Then which?’ He said, ‘The Al-Aqsa Mosque.’ I asked, ‘How many years were there between them?’ He said, ‘Forty years.’
It is one of the three mosques to which a Muslim can undertake a journey to perform acts of worship, seek additional blessings and rewards from Allah, and increase their merit. Besides these three mosques, it is not permissible to undertake a journey specifically for the purpose of prayer and seclusion. The Prophet (s) said: “Do not set out on a journey specifically for worship except to three mosques: the Sacred Mosque (in Makkah), the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and my mosque.” By ‘my mosque,’ he meant the Prophet’s Mosque in the city of Madinah.
The Prophet (s) also mentioned the excellence of praying in these mosques compared to others, saying: ‘Praying in the Sacred Mosque (in Mecca) is equivalent to one hundred thousand prayers elsewhere, praying in my mosque (in Madinah) is equivalent to one thousand prayers elsewhere, and praying in the Al-Aqsa Mosque is equivalent to five hundred prayers elsewhere.’
It is a blessed land, a land of goodness and blessings, as mentioned in the Quran, Allah says, “And We delivered him and Lot to the land which We have blessed for the worlds.’(Quran, Al-Anbiya: 71). Ibn Kathir stated that this land refers to the region of Greater Syria (Ash-Sham).
Allah also says, “And We have placed among them moderate cities.” (Quran, Saba: 18). Ibn Abbas said: The cities in which we placed moderation are Jerusalem. Furthermore, Allah says, “And [recall] when We said, “Enter this city and eat from it wherever you will in [ease and] abundance.” (Quran, Al-Baqara: 58), and the city mentioned here is Jerusalem, as Ibn Kathir explains in his Tafsir.
Additionally, Allah states, “And We made a people considered weak inheritors of the east and west of the land, which We had blessed.” (Quran, Al-A’raf: 137). In the story of Solomon (a), Allah mentions, “And for Solomon the storm wind, a wind by his command, to the land which We had blessed.” (Quran, Al-Anbiya: 81)
Indeed, Palestine is a Holy Land, as stated in the Quran: “O my people, enter the Holy Land which Allah has assigned to you.” (Quran, Al-Ma’idah: 21). Az-Zajjaj said: The Holy Land, pure and free from polytheism, was named holy because it was purified and made a dwelling place for the prophets and believers. This is the land by which Allah swore, saying: “By the fig and the olive…” (Quran, At-Tin: 1)
In and around the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the majority of the prophets and messengers, peace be upon them, were sent. It is indeed Palestine, the land of the prophets and messengers. On its soil, Abraham (a), Isaac (a), Jacob (a), Joseph (a), Lot(a), David (a), Solomon (a), Salih (a), Zakariya (a), Yahya (a), Moses (a) Jesus (a), and many others from the Children of Israel lived, even if their names are not mentioned.
Indeed, it is Palestine over which the angels spread their wings. It was narrated by Zaid bin Thabit (a) who said: ‘I heard the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, say, ‘How blessed (Tuba) is Ash-Sham (the region that includes Palestine), how blessed (Tuba) is Ash-Sham.’ They said, ‘Why is that, O Messenger of Allah?’ He replied, ‘The angels of Allah spread their wings over Ash-Sham.’
Indeed, it is Palestine, the land of gathering and scattering. Imam Ahmed, through his chain of narrators, reported from Maymunah bint Sa’d, who was a servant of the Prophet (s). She said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, give us guidance regarding Bayt al-Maqdis (Jerusalem).’ He replied, ‘It is the land of gathering and scattering.'”
Indeed, it is Palestine, the haven of the steadfast and victorious faction adhering to the truth. Abu Umamah narrated from the Prophet (s), who said, ‘There will always be a group from my Ummah (community) manifesting the truth, vanquishing their enemies, until the command of Allah comes while they are in that condition.’ It was asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, where are they?’ He replied, ‘In Bayt al-Maqdis and its surroundings.'”
Additionally, the Prophet (s) said, ‘While I was sleeping, I saw the Book (meaning the Quran) being lifted up from under my head. I thought that it was snatched away, so I followed it with my eyes, and it was carried towards Ash-Sham (the region that includes Palestine). Verily, belief, when it is about to be removed, will be located in Ash-Sham.’ This hadith is reported by Ahmad and Al-Bazzar.
Indeed, it is the future capital of the Islamic Caliphate in the last days. Abu Hawalah al-Azdi, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet (s), placed his hand on my head or on my forehead and said, ‘O son of Hawalah, when you see the Caliphate settled in the land of Bayt al-Maqdis (Jerusalem), then the earthquakes, calamities, major events, and the Hour will be closer to the people on that day.’
Muslim reported in his authentic hadith collection from the narration of An-Nawwas bin Sam’an, may Allah be pleased with him, who said, “I heard the Messenger of Allah (s) say: ‘While he is in such a state, Allah will send the Messiah, son of Mary (Jesus (a)), and he will descend near the white minaret to the east of Damascus.'” This hadith refers to the future descent of Jesus (a), son of Mary, in the vicinity of a white minaret to the east of Damascus.
Muslim reported in his authentic hadith collection from the narration of An-Nawwas bin Sam’an ( that the Prophet (s), said, “When the Muslims are getting ready for battle, lining up their ranks, and establishing the prayer, Jesus (a), the son of Mary, will descend among them. He will lead them in prayer. When the enemy of Allah see him, he will melt away just as salt melts in water.”
This emphasizes the importance of the Levant, particularly Palestine, and the heart of it, which is Al-Aqsa Mosque, in the conscience of the Muslim world. It underscores that the awakening of this conscience will not be at peace until matters are set in their proper place.
May Allah bless and protect the Levant, Palestine, and those who stand firm in it.
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