During the last few weeks, the issue of Al-Aqsa captured the attention of Muslims and arose many serious questions among Muslim masses. Most important of these questions was whether it is likely that Al-Aqsa be wrecked. Why do Jews exercise such a huge propaganda regarding their intention to wreck Al-Aqsa Mosque in case they are serious? Which method is more effective in destroying Al-Aqsa: digging tunnels under it or completely bombing it out even by a tank? What is expected to happen in case Al-Aqsa is actually destroyed?

No doubt, answer to such critical and serious questions may have the effect of enlightening us about the nature of the current stage of history and that of Jews as well as the characteristics of a generation that is to liberate Al-Aqsa.

Actually, wrecking Al-Aqsa is an action entailing tremendous repercussions, which has more negative than positive effects on Jews. Therefore, Jews apply such a wicked plan aiming at destroying it at the lowest possible expenses. They exercise such a huge propaganda speaking openly about their tunnels and leak to the press and satellite channels some pictures ascertaining the existence of tunnels near Al-Aqsa Mosque. By doing so, they have many objectives foremost among which are perhaps two:

 Jews Dope Muslims

 The first objective: Making Muslims habituated to hearing about the destruction of Al-Aqsa. The more Muslims hear about the issue of wrecking Al-Aqsa, they think, the more Muslims are habituated thereto and the more they are used to and familiar with hearing the phrase. Thus, if they actually wreck Al-Aqsa, Muslims will not show the imagined powerful reaction. They thus draw analogy with the vaccination process. Vaccine is a preparation of a weakened or killed pathogen, such as a bacterium or virus, or of a portion of the pathogen's structure that upon administration stimulates antibody production or cellular immunity against the pathogen but is incapable of causing severe infection. Analogically, Jews vaccinate Muslims with news of the gradual steps of destroying Al-Aqsa so that when they actually destroy it one, two or even ten years later, Muslims will not be as furious as should be and thus everything goes on safely.

 Jews measure Muslims reaction

 The second objective: Measuring Muslims reaction when the issue is aroused. In fact, Jews are afraid of Muslims reaction which might have the effect of ending the Jewish existence in Jerusalem and even in Palestine as a whole. Therefore, they gradually leak news to mass media in order to measure Muslims reactions in Palestine, in the Arab and Muslim world and even in the whole world. To do so, they employ highest level scientific measures through which they can precisely predict Muslims reaction in case Al-Aqsa is actually wrecked. If the reaction predicted is too furious to be controlled, they will put off the wrecking process; otherwise, they would dare wreck being assured of safety.

 Muslims to show furious reaction

Accordingly, Muslims are required to show a furious, even exaggerated, reaction, which might act as a scaring and deterring factor for Jews that might oblige them to put off or annul their plans. Without such a reaction, Jews will be overwhelmed by the obsession of wrecking Al-Aqsa until it turns into reality.

A question might arise here: why should Jews think of wrecking Al-Aqsa Mosque in particular, and why should they stir the anger of the  Muslim Ummah? Is not it enough for them to occupy the whole Palestine that they think about wrecking Al-Aqsa in addition?

Actually, they enter the declared plea that they search for the so-called Third Temple (Al-Haykal) on the ruins of the Dome of the Rock. However, they managed to direct Muslims attention toward the process of predicting the site of their Haykal, i.e. whether it is really under Al-Aqsa Mosque, under the Dome of the Rock, over Al-Haykal mountain or elsewhere as suggested by researchers and analytics.

The legend of Al-Haykal

As a matter of fact, according to my absolute personal conviction, there is nothing to be called Al-Haykal at all. In fact, there is by no means any scientific evidence supporting the existence of such a Jewish legend. In this regard, the interpolated Torah may not stand as an evidence, for indeed they write down, with their own hands, (something which they claim to be) divine writ, and then say, "This is from God," in order to acquire a trifling gain thereby. Likewise, it is well-known that Al-Aqsa is very old and is built only forty years after the Ka'bah had been built. This is derived from the Hadith Hadith authentically reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim on the authority of Abu Dharr Al-Ghifari to the effect that he asked the Prophet (peace be upon him): Messenger of Allah, which mosque was set up first on the earth? He said: Al-Masjid Al-Haram (the Sacred Mosque). He (again) asked: Then which next? He said: It was Al-Aqsa Mosque (Jerusalem mosque). Abu Dharr (again) asked: How long the space of time (between their setting up)? He (the Holy Prophet) said: It was forty years.[1]

Scholars differ as to the real date of building the Ka'bah and consequently Al-Aqsa. Anyway, it is very old and might have been built by angels, Adam or Ibrahim (Abraham) (peace be upon him). Either way, Al-Aqsa inevitably was there during the lifetime of Dawud (David) and Sulaiman (Solomon) (peace be upon them both) as a worship house for monotheists and believers. It is unreasonable that Dawud and Sulaiman leave such a sanctuary to build another neighboring place of worship. However, Al-Nasa'i, Ahmad and Ibn Majah reported on the authority of Abdullah bin 'Amr bin Al-'As (may Allah be pleased with them) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "After Sulaiman the son of Dawud finished the construction of Bayt Al-Maqdis (alternative for Al-Aqsa Mosque), he asked Allah for three things…"[2]

In fact, the Hadith deals with Sulaiman's renovation of Al-Aqsa that had been built many and long years ago. Anyway, the Hadith clearly indicates that Sulaiman contributed to the construction of Bayt Al-Maqdis and not that of a certain Haykal. In fact, we tend to consider the Hadith of our Prophet (peace be upon him) of more credibility than the interpolated Torah. Nevertheless, we know that Jews will never yield for our argument and will not declare their belief if they yield. In all cases, power remains the only way to preserve rights. We say it is our Masjid (Mosque) and they claim it to be their Haykal when there is no room for historical documentations or excavations. I think it is a dogmatic issue in the first place achieving success regarding which is contingent upon sticking more firmly to one's beliefs.

Back to the question: Why do Jews want to wreck Al-Aqsa knowing in the actual fact that there is no existence of the so-called Haykal at this place or elsewhere?

Aqsa for Muslims like a flag for an army

In fact, Jews know that Al-Aqsa Mosque for Muslims is as important as a flag for an army. Flags in wars are usually given to the most courageous soldiers, individuals or tribes because the morale of the army is always high so long as the flag is kept flying. On the contrary, fall of the flag inevitably has a negative effect on the army's morale. In other words, killing any soldier whatsoever is meaningless if compared to dropping such a great symbol. Moreover, an army that yields to the fall of its flag will totally surrender in most cases. Similarly, Jews expect that wrecking Al-Aqsa will cause Muslims morale to be fairly low and thus can crush any sort of resistance in Palestine and any form of resisting the Zionist agenda in the whole Muslim world. In this respect, we should not forget that Muslims lost heart for tens of years after the Crusaders' occupation of Al-Aqsa Mosque at the early Crusades, something which Jews seek to cause nowadays.

Here a question comes directly to minds: Is it likely that Al-Aqsa be wrecked?

 Al-Aqsa is likely to be wrecked

 Astonishingly, the answer is "yes"! It is even very predictable. In fact, it is not a pessimistic supposition; rather, it is the product of thoroughly investigating events and predicting future attitudes. It is also an attempt to encourage examining the means as may prevent such a heinous catastrophe.

Brothers and sisters, we do not live the era of Abraha, against whose army attacking the Ka'bah Allah sent flocks of birds to protect his Sacred House. Actually, we live now different circumstances; flocks of birds and other hosts of Allah, whatsoever, will not be sent unless Muslims exert efforts, practice Jihad and sacrifice all precious things.

Absolutely, Allah's law that is now in effect is: "If you help (in the cause of) Allah, He will help you, and make your foothold firm" [Muhammad: 7]. Unless this condition is met, no victory could be achieved. Thus, if we do not help (in the cause) of Allah (the Exalted), we will be afflicted by innumerable catastrophes, including, of course, the demolition of Al-Aqsa Mosque, expulsion of Muslims from Jerusalem, perhaps the Jews moving their capital to Jerusalem or even the continuation of Jerusalem's occupation for other tens of years. In fact, atheist Qarmatians attacked the Sacred Mosque in 317 AH and managed to steal the Black Stone and sent it to their capital Hajar (in today's KSA's Eastern Region). The Black Stone has remained in their possession for 22 years till 339 AH.

Actually, Muslims nonfeasance caused them to lose extremely precious property the Ka'bah having been destroyed, the Black Stone having been stolen and the Hajj rituals having been suspended for many years. During the late fifth century AH, moreover, Al-Aqsa was occupied by the Crusaders who turned it into a stable and later into a corn store! In fact, Al-Aqsa continued under the odious occupation for consecutive ninety years.

So, it is very likely then that Al-Aqsa be wrecked.

I state this fact painfully enough and dare also say that Al-Aqsa would have been wrecked many years ago had it not been for the cowardliness of Jews.

I know it is very heart-aching. However, I do not like out-of-place pacification. At the same time, I do not like sluggishness, submission, subjugation and frustration. I frankly state such facts in order to infer some points I deem of paramount importance to the Ummah at the present moment.

 Aqsa is not for only Palestinians

 The first point: This issue of Al-Aqsa, Jerusalem and the whole Palestinian cause do not concern only Palestinians. The issue is not crucial for Palestinians only; rather, it is an issue of great importance to all Muslims. Unavoidably, all Muslims have to know that any transgression against these sanctuaries stands for a transgression against the dignity of the whole Ummah. Moreover, they have to know that the whole Ummah, men or women, rulers or subjects, Palestinians or non-Palestinians, Arabs or non-Arabs, will be held accountable before Allah for this central cause.

 Muslims lives are more valuable than Aqsa

 The second point: Although we hold Al-Aqsa in such a high esteem, there is a much higher valuable asset violation of which should more severely stir our anger, namely, Muslims who are killed in Palestine by day and night.

Actually, so much blood has been shed in Palestine, which is much more valuable in the eyes of Allah than Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Sacred Mosque. In fact, these are not my own words but the words of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his honorable Companions after him. Ibn Majah reported Abdullah bin 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with both of them) to have said: Once the Prophet (peace be upon him) circumambulated the Ka'bah and said, "How good you are, how pleasant is your smell, and how great is your sacredness, by He Who Holds my life in His Hand, the sacredness of the life of a true believer is greater to Allah than yours."[3] The same statement is also reported in another occurrence to be the words of Ibn 'Umar himself.[4]

Accordingly, digging tunnels under Al-Aqsa should not be more shaking to us than the fact that 360 Muslims died in Gaza since 2007 till now because of the siege and that thousands of Muslims died during the last war on Gaza. On the contrary, there should be an extremely furious reaction in case only one innocent Muslim is killed in Palestine or elsewhere in the world. I wonder how could we enjoy our lives, eating, drinking and sleeping when we see and watch our fellow Muslim brothers killed by the criminal Jewish army!

Al-Bukhari and Muslim reported on the authority of Al-Nu'man bin Bashir that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "The similitude of believers in regard to their mutual love, affection and mutual fellow feeling is like that of one body; when any limb of it aches, the whole body shares the sleeplessness and fever with it."[5]

Thus, we have to give things their appropriate estimation according to the standards of Islam and the Prophet (peace be upon him). Only then we will have a clearer vision of the truth of things.

Good end is that of the pious

The third point: I would like to say that no matter how the situation is aggravated and how dark is the image, the good end is ultimately that of the pious and there will certainly come a time when Muslims liberate Al-Aqsa and the whole Palestine if Allah so wills. In fact, I do not have doubts in the least about it. Furthermore, I view that doubting thereon is an unpardonable sin. To this effect, Allah (the Exalted) said, "Whoever thinks that Allah will not help him (Muhammad SAW) in this world and in the Hereafter, let him stretch out a rope to the ceiling and let him strangle himself. Then let him see whether his plan will remove that whereat he rages!" [Al-Hajj: 15]. Actually, doubting Allah's victory is tantamount to doubting Allah's Might and Power, which is a dogmatic shortcoming unacceptable on the part of a believer and unexpected of a righteous person.

The ball is in the court of Muslims

The fourth and last point: The ball is now in the court of Muslims and not in that of Jews. Actually, course of events is not influenced by the tyranny and power of Jews but essentially and principally by Muslims' return to their religion. In fact, we are not defeated because of their power but, more accurately, because of our weakness. If we totally return to Allah, he would grant us a triumphant victory, we will achieve much more success than that we expect and we will see and end to the Jewish nightmare that inconvenienced us over the last decades.

By returning to Allah I do not mean returning only to mosques, invoking Allah or even financial Jihad and boycotting Jewish and American goods. I, rather, meant returning to the sound creed, good morals, faithful intention, righteous deeds, continuous Jihad, inseparable unity and relentless hope.

As a matter of fact, Al-Aqsa might not be liberated by people who have mixed a deed that was righteous with another that was evil. Rather, it will be liberated by those who sacrificed their worldly pleasure in return for Paradise, sought Divine satisfaction at the expense of humans' satisfaction and forsook secular ideologies in favor of the Qur'an and Sunnah. No doubt, such a kind of  people is found at all times. So, have glad tidings dear believing brothers, for certainly the Help of Allah is near and Allah's religion will be dominant even though the polytheists may detest (it).

I ask Allah to glorify Islam and Muslims.

Dr. Ragheb ElSergany

https://islamstory.com/en/artical/3407508