Jerusalem isn't just a dot on a map. For Muslims, it's a heartbeat. If you’ve ever seen a photo of the golden Dome of the Rock shimmering against a blue sky, you’ve seen the face of a city that has shaped Islamic identity for over 1,400 years. But why? Honestly, it goes way beyond just "it’s old and religious."
It’s personal.
When you ask why is Jerusalem a holy city for Muslims, you’re really asking about the Isra’ and Mi’raj, the first Qibla, and a lineage of prophets that Islam claims as its own. It’s a layers-of-the-onion situation. You peel back one reason, and there’s another one underneath, usually tied to a specific stone or a story from the seventh century.
The Night Journey: A Connection Beyond the Physical
Most people start the conversation with the Prophet Muhammad. Around the year 621 CE, something happened that changed everything for the early Muslim community. This is the Isra’ and Mi’raj.
Basically, the Quran and various Hadiths (records of the Prophet's words and actions) describe a miraculous two-part journey. In the first part, Muhammad traveled from Mecca to the "Farthest Mosque"—Al-Masjid al-Aqsa.
At that time, "Al-Aqsa" didn’t just mean the specific building with the silver dome we see today. It referred to the entire plateau, the Haram al-Sharif.
Imagine the scene.
According to tradition, Muhammad was carried on a winged creature called the Buraq. Once he arrived in Jerusalem, he didn't just look around. He led all the previous prophets—Abraham, Moses, Jesus—in prayer. Think about the symbolism there. It was a clear signal of continuity. Islam wasn't presenting itself as a brand-new invention, but as the final chapter of a very long book.
Then comes the Mi’raj. This is the ascent. From a rock on that very plateau (now enclosed by the Dome of the Rock), Muhammad is said to have ascended through the seven heavens. He spoke with God. He received the commandment for the five daily prayers that over 1.8 billion people perform today.
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If Jerusalem is where the sky met the earth for the Prophet, it’s easy to see why it’s non-negotiable for his followers.
The First Qibla: Before Mecca, There Was Jerusalem
Here is a bit of trivia that surprisingly few people outside the faith know: Muslims didn't always face Mecca to pray.
For the first 13 years of the Prophet’s mission in Mecca, and for about 17 months after he migrated to Medina, Muslims turned their faces toward Jerusalem. It was the original Qibla.
Why? Because it anchored the new faith in the tradition of the monotheistic prophets who came before. It was a nod to the sanctity of the city that had been the center of worship for centuries.
Eventually, a revelation came (captured in the Quran, Surah Al-Baqarah) instructing the believers to turn toward the Kaaba in Mecca. It was a massive shift. But that historical period stuck. You can’t just erase a decade of bowing toward a city and expect it to lose its spiritual weight. It stayed in the DNA of the religion.
This is why Al-Aqsa is often called Ula al-Qiblatayn—the First of the Two Qiblas. It’s a title of honor. It’s a reminder of where they started.
A City of Prophets: More Than Just Muhammad
Islam is deeply rooted in the belief that God sent messengers to every nation. A huge chunk of those messengers lived, preached, and died in or around Jerusalem.
- Prophet Dawud (David): Honored as a king and a prophet who sang the praises of God.
- Prophet Sulayman (Solomon): Known for his wisdom and for building the first great Temple on the mount.
- Prophet Isa (Jesus): Muslims believe he was born of a virgin, performed miracles, and will return to this region.
- Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham): The patriarch of the faith.
When a Muslim walks the streets of the Old City, they aren't just a tourist. They feel like they are walking in the footsteps of their spiritual ancestors. It’s a shared heritage. To a Muslim, Moses and Jesus aren't "the other guys’ prophets." They are their prophets too.
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The sanctity of the land is "Barakah"—a divine blessing. The Quran actually describes the land around Al-Aqsa as "blessed" (barakna hawlahu). This isn't just about the dirt or the stones. It’s about the concentrated history of revelation.
The Architecture of Faith: The Haram al-Sharif
If you go there today, the geography of the "Holy Sanctuary" (Haram al-Sharif) is stunning. It’s a massive 35-acre compound.
First, you have the Dome of the Rock. It’s arguably the most famous building in the Middle East. Built by the Umayyad Caliph Abd al-Malik in the late 7th century, it was never actually a mosque in the traditional sense. It’s a shrine. It was built to protect the rock where the Prophet is believed to have ascended, and honestly, to show off a bit. It was a statement to the world that Islam was here to stay.
Then, at the southern end, you have the Al-Aqsa Mosque itself. This is where the congregational prayers happen.
Over the centuries, different dynasties—Umayyads, Abbasids, Fatimids, Ayyubids, Mamluks, and Ottomans—poured money and art into this place. They built fountains (like the beautiful Sabil of Qaitbay), schools (madrasas), and intricate minarets. They saw it as a religious duty to maintain the site.
Why the "Third Holiest Site" Label Matters
You’ve probably heard Jerusalem called the "third holiest city in Islam" after Mecca and Medina. This comes from a specific Hadith that says you should only set out on a journey specifically for three mosques: the Sacred Mosque (Mecca), my Mosque (Medina), and Al-Aqsa Mosque (Jerusalem).
A prayer in Al-Aqsa is traditionally believed to be worth 500 times a prayer elsewhere. That kind of spiritual math drives millions of people to hope for a visit at least once in their lives. It’s not just a nice-to-have; it’s a bucket-list spiritual requirement for those who can make it.
The Complexities of the Crusades and Salahuddin
Jerusalem's holiness for Muslims was solidified by conflict, too. When the Crusaders took the city in 1099, they turned the Dome of the Rock into a church and the Al-Aqsa Mosque into a stable for horses.
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The loss was devastating to the Muslim world.
It took decades, but when Salahuddin (Saladin) recaptured the city in 1187, he didn't just take it back for political reasons. He saw it as a religious restoration. He famously refused to take revenge on the Christian inhabitants, contrasting his entry with the bloodbath of the First Crusade.
This era cemented Jerusalem in the Muslim psyche as a place that must be protected. It became a symbol of resilience. Scholars like Al-Ghazali lived and taught there, adding a layer of intellectual and mystical importance to the physical city.
Misconceptions and Realities
There's a common misconception that Jerusalem is only "politically" important to Muslims. That’s just not true. While the modern geopolitical conflict is undeniably intense, the religious roots go back over a millennium.
Another thing people get wrong: the "Al-Aqsa" vs. "Dome of the Rock" distinction. Some think only the silver-domed building is holy. In reality, the entire platform—every inch of the 35 acres—is considered Al-Masjid al-Aqsa. Whether you are praying under the dome, in the open air, or under a tree on the plaza, you are in the mosque.
Practical Insights for the Culturally Curious
If you are planning to visit or simply want to understand the depth of this connection, keep these points in mind:
- Friday is the Big Day: This is when thousands of local Palestinians and pilgrims gather for the Jumu'ah prayer. The atmosphere is electric but can be tense due to security restrictions.
- Access is Not Guaranteed: Depending on the political climate, age restrictions or total closures are common. Non-Muslims are generally allowed on the plaza during specific "visiting hours" but cannot enter the buildings or pray.
- The Old City is a Maze: Each quarter has its own vibe. The Muslim Quarter is the largest and most densely populated, filled with markets (souks) that lead directly to the gates of the Haram.
- Ramadan is Peak Season: During the holy month of Ramadan, hundreds of thousands of people break their fast on the stones of the Haram. It is a massive display of communal faith.
Jerusalem remains a city of paradoxes. It is a place of intense peace and frequent friction. For a Muslim, the city is a living bridge between the stories of the past and the hopes for the future. It’s where the prophets walked, where the Prophet prayed, and where many believe the final events of history will unfold.
Actionable Next Steps
- Read the Source Material: Look up the first 15 verses of Surah Al-Isra in the Quran to see how the Night Journey is described.
- Virtual Tour: If you can't travel, use tools like the Al-Aqsa 360 project to see the interior of the Dome of the Rock and the underground prayer halls.
- Support Heritage: If you visit, hire a local guide from the Old City. Their personal family stories often provide more insight than any textbook.
- Check Travel Advisories: Always check the current status of the Old City gates before heading out, as security situations change by the hour.