WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT MASJID AL-AQSA? (LESSON 08)

Delivered by Mufti Adam Esmail at Masjid al Falaah on Sunday 16th July 2023

DEFINITIONS AND CONCEPTS PART 8

MASJID AL-AQSA- AN EXCLUSIVELY ISLAMIC HOLY SITE

Masjid Al-Aqsa holds immense significance in the Islamic faith, as it is explicitly referred to as a masjid in the Qur’an, and this designation cannot be altered. Muslims cannot accept any form of shared administration of their sacred places. Currently, Masjid Al-Aqsa is under occupation, and there are attempts to divide its administration.

The concept of Islamic exclusivity regarding Masjid Al-Aqsa
Islamic exclusivity over Masjid Al-Aqsa denotes that it is the exclusive right of Muslims and does not allow for sharing or participation by others. This exclusivity is based on the fundamental tenets of the Islamic faith and the Holy Qur’an, which have deemed it a blessed masjid and a sacred land, passed down from prophets preceding the final Prophet until the Day of Judgment. The Islamic sovereignty over Masjid Al-Aqsa is an inherent and permanent right that cannot be subject to negotiation. Islamic governments, starting from the Islamic conquests in the seventh century AD, have represented Palestine, and no one possesses the authority to negotiate any part of it.

Representation of Islamic exclusivity over Masjid Al-Aqsa
Throughout the extensive history of Islam, the head of the Islamic State has represented the Islamic exclusivity over Masjid Al-Aqsa. Following the end of the caliphate and the decline of the Ottoman Empire, the British Mandate assumed control over Palestine, and the Supreme Islamic Council emerged to take responsibility for the affairs of Masjid Al-Aqsa. After the occupation of Palestine by Zionists and the decision to unite the two banks in 1951, Masjid Al-Aqsa became part of Jordanian jurisdiction.

Jordan as the custodian of Islamic exclusivity over Masjid Al-Aqsa
From 1951 until 1967, during the era of the unity of the two banks, Masjid Al-Aqsa was situated within the territory of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Even after the occupation of Jerusalem, the residents of Jerusalem refused to surrender Masjid Al-Aqsa to the occupiers. By 1970, Jordanian custodianship of Masjid Al-Aqsa was upheld under international law. Muslims are responsible for its affairs through Jordanian institutions. The Jordanian endowments possess the right to supervise, safeguard, and protect Masjid Al-Aqsa, conducting regular maintenance and necessary restoration work on its buildings and facilities, both above and below ground. They also have the authority to control access to the Masjid and regulate entry for visitors.

Jordanian guardianship and assurance of Islamic exclusivity over Masjid Al-Aqsa
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan serves as the custodian of Masjid Al-Aqsa. The Jordanian Ministry of Endowments manages Islamic endowments and sanctities in Jerusalem, while Jordan actively defends its Islamic exclusivity in international courts.

Despite the restrictions imposed on Jordanian custodianship and the diminishing Jordanian sovereignty over Masjid Al-Aqsa due to the occupation, the current situation does not alter or change Jordan's custody of the masjid. Any modification in the custodianship would involve immediate involvement of the occupiers in the management of the masjid.

Custodianship over the masjid does not contradict Islamic exclusivity. The custodian is not authorised to accept or facilitate any actions that would lead to the involvement of non-Islamic entities in the administration of Masjid Al-Aqsa.

SUMMARY OF LESSON 08

☆ Masjid Al-Aqsa is an exclusively Islamic holy site and its administration cannot be shared by a non muslim regime

☆ Jordanian custodianship over Masjid Al-Aqsa is recognised under international law and must be maintained

☆ The Zionist occupation seek to become partners in the administration of Masjid Al-Aqsa - which can never be accepted

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