🏛️ Jerusalem: A Historical Tapestry in Islamic Thought

Definition and Meaning

Jerusalem (Arabic: القدس, al-Quds meaning “The Holy”) is one of the most sacred cities in Islam, ranking alongside Mecca and Medina. It holds considerable religious and historical importance, housing sites such as the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque. Muslims venerate Jerusalem as the destination of Prophet Muhammad’s Night Journey (Isra: الإسراء) and Miraj (المعراج, Ascension), as noted in the Qur’an and Hadith literature. Jerusalem is also associated with the prophets Abraham and Solomon and is central to Islamic, Christian, and Jewish historical narratives.

Etymology

The Arabic term al-Quds comes from the root “ق-د-س” (q-d-s), meaning “sacred” or “holy.” The term reflects the city’s sanctity in Islamic theology.

Historical Background

• 635 CE: Muslim armies, under the command of Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab, took Jerusalem from Byzantine control with minimal resistance.
• 692 CE: Completion of the Dome of the Rock, commissioned by Caliph Abd al-Malik, marks the site believed to be both Abraham’s sacrifice and the First Temple (Solomon’s Temple).
• 1099-1187 CE: Crusaders occupied Jerusalem until Salah al-Din (Saladin) reclaimed it in a pivotal event of Islamic history.
• 1517 CE: Under Ottoman rule, significant infrastructural development ensued, including the restoration of Jerusalem’s ancient city walls.
• 1917 CE: During World War I, Jerusalem fell to Allied forces and was later governed under British mandate until 1948.
• 1948 and 1967: Complex territorial disputes followed post-British withdrawal, witnessing significant wartime shifts, including Jordanian and later Israeli control.

Notable Time Periods

• Mamluk Period: Flourishing schools and religious convents sprouted around the Dome of the Rock.
• Ottoman Period: Lasting infrastructural and communal investments cemented Jerusalem’s architectural landscape.

Cultural Dimensions

Cultural Differences and Similarities

Jerusalem, renowned for its rich variety of religious, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds, serves as a confluence of Jewish, Christian, and Islamic legacies. Each can trace sacred narratives to its ancient streets, contributing to the city’s intricate cultural mosaic.

Synonyms & Antonyms

• Synonyms: Al-Quds, Bayt al-Maqdis (بيت المقدس, meaning “House of Sanctity”).
• Antonyms: No specific antonyms, though any terminology representing profanity or desecration contrasts the holiness depicted by the synonyms.

Related Terms

• Dome of the Rock (Qubbat al-Sakhrah): An Islamic shrine located on the Temple Mount.
• Al-Aqsa Mosque: An important site in Islamic tradition believed to be part of the complex visited by Muhammad during Isra and Miraj.
• Haram al-Sharif: The Noble Sanctuary, encompassing Al-Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the Rock.

Interesting Facts

• The Dome of the Rock features the oldest extant example of early Islamic art and architecture.
• Jerusalem’s population is one of the few where late antiquities and modern complexities seamlessly coexist.
• The site of Al-Aqsa is often referred to as the “First Qibla” (direction of prayer) in Islam before it was changed to Mecca.

Quotations

• Ibn al-Jawzi: “Regarding Jerusalem, whoever reaches the Sanctified House and its surroundings reaches one of the wombs of prophecy and the houses of divine blessing.”
• Mahmoud Darwish: “Jerusalem is the pulse of the rhythm of the world.”

Suggested Literature

• “Jerusalem: History of a Global City” by Karen Armstrong
• “Jerusalem: One City, Three Faiths” by Karen Armstrong
• “Jerusalem: The Biography” by Simon Sebag Montefiore
• “Islam in Jerusalem: Past and Present” by Khaled Syropoulos

Further Studies

• Examination of Jerusalem’s changing political status in contemporary geopolitics.
• Comparative studies on the religious traditions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam in Jerusalem.

Fatima Asad 2023-10-04

May your quest for knowledge in the tapestry of history and faith enlighten you and guide your path forward.