Masjid al Aqsa:-
This mosque was built (709-715 CE) on the Temple Mount, by al Waleed, son of Abd al Malik. This is the name given to it in the 11th century.
According to Bukhari Hadith 6.233:
Allah allegedly allowed Muhammad to 'see' the Temple of Jerusalem, which Muhammad called 'Bait al Maqdis' (in exact emulation of its Hebrew name 'Bait ha Miqdash' which actually means 'Holy House' (of God)).
In Muwatta Hadith 5:17, it is alleged, that Muhammad advised his followers to visit three mosques: Haram in Mecca, Medina mosque and Bait al Maqdis/ Beth ha Miqdash/Ilya (Jerusalem).
This is a clear indication that Muhammad was referring to actual mosques in spite of the fact that in his days the Jerusalem Temple did not exist.
Sahih Al-Bukhari HadithHadith 1.39 & 6.13 Narrated byAl Bara (bin Azib)
When the Prophet came to Medina, he stayed first with his grandfathers or maternal uncles from Ansar. He offered his prayers facing Baitul-Maqdis (Jerusalem) for sixteen or seventeen months, but he wished that he could pray facing the Ka'ba (at Mecca). The first prayer which he offered facing the Ka'ba was the 'Asr prayer in the company of some people. Then one of those who had offered that prayer with him came out and passed by some people in a mosque who were bowing during their prayers (facing Jerusalem). He said addressing them, "By Allah, I testify that I have prayed with Allah's Apostle facing Mecca (Ka'ba).' Hearing that, those people changed their direction towards the Ka'ba immediately. Jews and the people of the scriptures used to be pleased to see the Prophet facing Jerusalem in prayers but when he changed his direction towards the Ka'ba, during the prayers, they disapproved of it.
Al-Bara' added, "Before we changed our direction towards the Ka'ba (Mecca) in prayers, some Muslims had died or had been killed and we did not know what to say about them (regarding their prayers.) Allah then revealed: And Allah would never make your faith (prayers) to be lost (i.e. the prayers of those Muslims were valid).' " (2.143).
Sahih Al-Bukhari HadithHadith 4.636/585 Narrated byAbu Dhaar
I said, "O Allah's Apostle! Which mosque was built first?" He replied, "Al-Masjid-ul-Haram." I asked, "Which (was built) next?" He replied, "Al-Masjid-ul-Aqs-a (i.e. Jerusalem)." I asked, "What was the period in between them?" He replied, "Forty (years)." He then added, "Wherever the time for the prayer comes upon you, perform the prayer, for all the earth is a place of worshipping for you."
*** Muhammad's calculations are as MENDACIOUS as his alleged 'revelations'.
According to the Quran, the foundations of the Ka'ba were built by Abraham and Ishmael, c 2000 BCE.
According to the Torah and history, the Temple of Solomon was built
c 960 BCE. The difference is definitely in excess of 1000 years ***
Sahih Al-Bukhari HadithHadith 9.358 Narrated byAl Bara
When Allah's Apostle arrived at Medina, he prayed facing Jerusalem for sixteen or seventeen months but he wished that he would be ordered to face the Ka'ba. So Allah revealed:
"Verily! We have seen the turning of your face towards the heaven; surely we shall turn you to a prayer direction (Qibla) that shall please you." (2.144) Thus he was directed towards the Ka'ba. A man prayed the 'Asr prayer with the Prophet and then went out, and passing by some people from the Ansar, he said, "I testify. that I have prayed with the Prophet and he (the Prophet) has prayed facing the Ka'ba." Thereupon they, who were bowing in the 'Asr prayer, turned towards the Ka'ba.
*** The narrator's opinion is obviously incorrect since when Muhammad went to the Madina, neither Gabriel nor Allah ordered him to pray towards Jerusalem.
He did so voluntarily because at the time, he believed it to be MORE HOLY than the Ka'ba. Even during his alleged Night Journey, all the other prophets prayed in Jerusalem and NOT in Mecca***
Sunan of Abu-DawoodHadith 457 Narrated byMaymunah ibn Sa'd
I said: Apostle of Allah, tell us the legal injunction about (visiting) Bayt al-Muqaddas. The Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) said: go and pray there. All the cities at that time were effected by war. If you cannot visit it and pray there, then send some oil to be used in the lamps.
*** The fact that Muhammad instructed ibn Sa'd to pray at Bayt al Maqdis confirms the conclusion that Muhammad actually believed that the Temple of Solomon was still standing in Jerusalem.
He did not know that it had already been destroyed by the Romans in 70AD, almost 550 years earlier ***
Sunan of Abu-DawoodHadith 4281 Narrated byMu'adh ibn Jabal
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: The flourishing state of Jerusalem will be when Yathrib is in ruins, the ruined state of Yathrib will be when the great war comes, the outbreak of the great war will be at the conquest of Constantinople and the conquest of Constantinople when the Dajjal (Antichrist) comes forth. He (the Prophet) struck his thigh or his shoulder with his hand and said: This is as true as you are here or as you are sitting (meaning Mu'adh ibn Jabal).
*** None of these predictions came true. Muhammad failed completely as a prophet, but excelled at warmongering, assassinations, plundering, rape and slavery among others.
He NEVER visited Jerusalem either in a dream or physically since his alleged Night Journey was only another concoction and deception of his, to give himself a worthy and 'religious' status bereft of any reality or truth***
