Al-Aqsa Mosque holds a place in Islamic history that many Muslims only partly understand. Long before the Kaaba became the direction of prayer, Al-Aqsa Mosque served as the first qibla for the entire Muslim community. This article walks through that history clearly, along with the Night Journey that ties this mosque so closely to the Prophet ﷺ.
📖 For a deeper history of this site, many readers keep a copy of Jerusalem in Islamic History on Amazon for further reading.
The Common Confusion Among Muslims
Many Muslims know Al-Aqsa Mosque is significant, but few can explain exactly why. Some assume it was always secondary to Makkah. Others aren’t sure how the qibla direction changed, or when.
This confusion is understandable, since the story spans early Quranic revelation and a single, well-documented change in practice. Once the timeline is clear, the mosque’s importance becomes much easier to appreciate.
What the Quran Says About Al-Aqsa Mosque
The Quran directly names this mosque in connection with one of the most remarkable events in the Prophet’s life.
Surah Al-Isra (17:1) describes Allah taking His servant by night from Masjid al-Haram to Masjid al-Aqsa, the farthest mosque. Read on Alim.org — this verse is the foundation for the entire story of the Night Journey.
Surah Al-Baqarah (2:144) describes the change of qibla, instructing believers to turn toward the Sacred Mosque instead of their previous direction. Read on Alim.org — this verse marks the formal shift away from Al-Aqsa Mosque as the direction of prayer.
Who Are Bani Israel in the Quran?
Understanding Al-Aqsa Mosque also means understanding Bani Israel, the Children of Israel, who appear throughout the Quran. Bani Israel refers to the descendants of Prophet Yaqub (Jacob), and their history is woven through many surahs, especially in stories involving Prophet Musa (Moses).
The Quran discusses Bani Israel’s covenant with Allah, their trials, and the prophets sent to guide them. This land and its mosque carried deep religious meaning long before Islam, which is part of why Al-Aqsa Mosque holds such layered significance for Muslims today.
Hadith:
Hadith literature adds rich detail to the Night Journey and the virtue of this mosque.
One narration describes the reward tied to prayer and worship at Bayt al-Maqdis, recorded in Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith 457. View on Sunnah.com — it reflects the special status early Muslims gave to maintaining and honoring this site.
Another narration, found in Jami` at-Tirmidhi, Hadith 3242, discusses details surrounding the Night Journey itself. View on Sunnah.com — it adds context to the Quranic verse describing the Prophet’s ﷺ journey from Makkah to Jerusalem.
Categories: PRAYER ,ALMS , SAWN & The Holy Quran, Quran Jaz 1- 114
The Night Journey: Isra and Mi’raj
The Isra and Mi’raj is the twin event most closely tied to Al-Aqsa Mosque. Isra refers to the night journey from Makkah to Jerusalem. Mi’raj refers to the ascension that followed, from Al-Aqsa Mosque toward the heavens.
- Isra: The physical journey from Masjid al-Haram to Masjid al-Aqsa in a single night.
- Mi’raj: The spiritual ascension where the Prophet ﷺ received the command of the five daily prayers.
- Significance: This event links Makkah, Jerusalem, and the heavens in one continuous story.
Why Al-Aqsa Mosque Was the First Qibla
For roughly the first thirteen to sixteen months after the migration to Madinah, Muslims prayed facing Al-Aqsa Mosque. This wasn’t arbitrary. It connected the new Muslim community to the long line of prophets who came before.
| Period | Qibla Direction |
| Early Makkan and early Madinan era | Al-Aqsa Mosque (Jerusalem) |
| After the revelation of Surah Al-Baqarah 2:144 | The Kaaba (Makkah) |
The change came through direct revelation, not a political decision, and it remains one of the clearest examples of divine guidance shaping Muslim practice.
Importance and Benefits
Understanding this history brings real value beyond trivia.
- It deepens appreciation for the shared roots of the Abrahamic faiths.
- It clarifies why Al-Aqsa Mosque remains the third holiest site in Islam.
- It strengthens connection to the story of the Night Journey during Isra and Mi’raj commemorations.
- It corrects the common misconception that this mosque’s significance is a recent development.
A broader historical overview of the site is available on Wikipedia’s article on Al-Aqsa Mosque, and Britannica’s entry on the Dome of the Rock and Temple Mount offers useful architectural and historical context.
Suitable Resources for Further Learning
| Topic | Where to Look |
| Fiqh rulings on qibla changes | Classical tafsir of Surah Al-Baqarah |
| Details of Isra and Mi’raj | Seerah (Prophetic biography) literature |
| History of Bani Israel in the Quran | Quranic stories of the prophets (Qasas al-Anbiya) |
The IslamicTeachings.org forum and IslamQA both host detailed scholarly discussions on the qibla change and the virtues of Al-Aqsa Mosque. Readers of quranmualim.com often ask why Muslims still hold this mosque in such high regard despite the qibla change, and the answer lies in its deep prophetic history, not the direction of prayer alone.
Hanafi Fiqh Books
Those wanting deeper scholarly grounding on the qibla change and the virtues of Jerusalem can explore these Hanafi fiqh titles, commonly available in Islamic libraries and archives:
- Tabyin al-Haqa’iq by Uthman ibn Ali al-Zayla’i
- Al-Bahr al-Ra’iq by Ibn Nujaym
- Sharh Ma’ani al-Athar by Abu Ja’far al-Tahawi
- Al-Jawhara al-Nayyira by Abu Bakr al-Haddadi
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Al-Aqsa Mosque the first qibla?
It connected the Muslim community to the tradition of earlier prophets. The direction changed later through direct Quranic revelation, shifting focus to the Kaaba in Makkah.
How long did Muslims pray toward Al-Aqsa Mosque?
Most scholars estimate around thirteen to sixteen months after the migration to Madinah, before the qibla changed to the Kaaba.
What is the connection between Al-Aqsa Mosque and Isra and Mi’raj?
The Night Journey began at Masjid al-Haram and ended at Al-Aqsa Mosque, from where the Prophet ﷺ ascended during the Mi’raj.
Who are Bani Israel in the Quran?
Bani Israel refers to the descendants of Prophet Yaqub. Their history, prophets, and trials are discussed extensively throughout the Quran.
Is Al-Aqsa Mosque still significant today despite the qibla change?
Yes, it remains the third holiest site in Islam, deeply tied to prophetic history and the story of the Night Journey.
Final Thoughts
Al-Aqsa Mosque carries a legacy that stretches from the earliest prophets to the Night Journey of Muhammad ﷺ. Knowing its role as the first qibla adds depth to how Muslims understand their own history and practice. Take a moment today to reflect on this story the next time Isra and Mi’raj is mentioned.
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