Land of the Prophets

Palestine is known as the Land of the Prophets, the Land of Ambiyaa, due to the large numbers of Prophets, sent by the Almighty ALLAH ﷻ, who resided in this land and carried out their sacred missions, profoundly shaping its spiritual legacy.

Prophet Adam (as)

The first mosque built on earth is Masjid Al-Haram (Ka'aba) in Makkah. Subsequently, 40 years later, Masjid Al-Aqsa was built. This is supported by a hadith:

I said, "O Allah's Messenger ﷺ, Which mosque was first built on the surface of the earth?" He said, "Al-Masjid-al-Haram (in Makkah)."

I said, "Which was built next?" He replied "The mosque of Al-Aqsa (in Al-Quds/Jerusalem)."

I said, "What was the period of construction between the two?" He said, "Forty years."

[Sahih al-Bukhari 3366]

Most scholars concur that Adam (as) laid the foundations of Ka'aba when he was sent to earth, leading to the belief that Adam (as) built Masjid Al-Aqsa after 40 years.

Prophet Ibrahim (as)

Prophet Ibrahim (as), Father of the Prophets, experienced numerous miraculous events and profound trials throughout his life, each of which deepened his unwavering faith and devotion to Allah ﷻ. Every year Muslims mark Eid-al-Adha to commemorate the Prophet Ibrahim's obedience to Allah ﷻ.

Ibrahim was indeed a paragon of virtue, obedient to Allah, ever inclined to Him and he was not of those who set up equals to Allah. He was ever grateful for His favours, We chose him and guided him to a straight path; and We bestowed on him good in this world and in the Hereafter, he will surely be among the righteous.

[Quran 16:121-123]

Prophet Ibrahim (as) spent many years in Palestine with his family. His tomb is located at the Ibrahimi Mosque (Masjid-e-Khalil) in Hebron, Palestine, where he is buried with his wife Sarah (may Allah be pleased with her).

To the west of Hebron lies an oak tree, called the Oak of Ibrahim, and is believed the site where Prophet Ibrahim (as) pitched his tent during his travels. The oak is estimated to be about 5,000 years old.

Due the historical significance of this site, the UN's world heritage body recently recognised the old city of Hebron as a Palestinian world heritage site.

Prophet Lut (as)

Prophet Lut (as) was the paternal nephew of Prophet Ibrahim (as). He was commanded by Allah (SWT) to spread the message of Islam to the people of Sodom and Gomorrah, cities of ancient Palestine. It is stated in the Quran that the community was subsequently destroyed after they failed to take heed, and Prophet Lut (as) and his family were saved, with the exception of his wife.

It is believed that the community lived in what is now the Dead Sea, a salt lake situated between the West Bank and Jordan.

Bani Na'im is a Palestinian town located south of Hebron in the occupied West Bank. The tomb of Prophet Lut (as) is located here. The tomb of his daughters can be found on a hill nearby.

Prophet Ishaq (as)

Prophet Ishaq (as) was the second son of Prophet Ibrahim (as), a miraculous gift from Allah (SWT). He continued to spread the message of Allah ﷻ after the death of his father, Prophet Ibrahim (as).

The tomb of Prophet Ishaq (as) located at Ibrahimi Mosque.

Prophet Yaqub (as)

Prophet Yaqub (as), born in Palestine, was the son of Prophet Ishaq (as). Renowned for following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, he dedicated his life to spreading the word about the Oneness of Allah ﷻ. He also consistently encouraged his followers to engage in prayer and to do charity.

“We gave him Ishaq and Ya’qub. Each of them We made a Prophet. And We gave them of Our mercy and assigned to them a high and true renown.”

[Quran 19:49-50]

During his lifetime, he travelled to the north of Iraq, returned Palestine and eventually settled in Egypt where he passed away. He was buried in Hebron, Palestine, along with his father, according to his final wishes.

He is also referred to as "Israel (as)". Consequently, the descendants of Prophet Yaqub are referred to as the Children of Israel, commonly known in the Muslim world as Bani Israel, and are mentioned several times in th Holy Quran.

Prophet Yaqub's (as) tomb is also located in the Ibrahimi Mosque.

Prophet Yusuf (as)

Born in Jerusalem, Prophet Yusuf (as) was a beloved son of Prophet Yaqoub (as), and by the grace of Allah ﷻ, he grew to be one of the most revered men in Islamic history.

Surah Yusuf is regarded as one of the most beautiful and impactful chapters in The Holy Quran.

And so, when they took him away and decided to throw him into the bottom of the well, We inspired him: “˹One day˺ you will remind them of this deed of theirs while they are unaware ˹of who you are˺.

[Quran 12:15]

'Jubb Yusuf', located in Galilee, Palestine, is considered to be the well in which Yusuf (as) was thrown by his brothers. His tomb is also believed to be at the location of Ibrahimi Mosque.

Prophet Musa (as)

Prophet Musa (as) was sent by Allah ﷻ to the Pharaoh of Egypt and the Bani Israel (Children of Israel, descendants of Prophet Yaqub (as)) for guidance. Prophet Musa (as) holds a special place in Islam, with the holy book of Towrat having been revealed to him. Notably, he is the most frequently mentioned prophet in the Quran.

“And (remember) when We gave Musa (Moses) the Scripture [the Tawrat (Torah)] and the criterion (of right and wrong) so that you may be guided aright”.

[Quran 2:53]

Maqam Nabi Musa is located south of Jericho, Palestine. Tradition holds that Sultan Salahhudin Ayyubi dreamt that Musa (as) was buried here, so he commissioned the construction of a mosque there to honor the prophet.

Over time, Maqam Nabi Musa has evolved into one of Palestine's most expansive religious architectural complexes. Its development continued through various periods, particularly during the Mamluk and Ottoman Empires.

Prophet Dawud (as)

Prophet Dawud (as) governed Palestine for a total of 40 years. Of these, he spent 7 years in Hebron and the remaining 33 years in Al-Quds (Jerusalem). Known for his wisdom, strength, and dedication to Allah ﷻ, his leadership is also deeply esteemed.

“And your Lord knows best all who are in the heavens and the earth. And indeed, We have preferred some of the Prophets above others, and to Dawud (David) We gave the Zabur (Psalms)”

[Quran 17:55]

The maqam of Prophet Dawud (as) is located at Mount Zion, Jerusalem, Palestine. Islamic tradition believes that the site is in fact a 'maqam’', which marks the place where he had once stayed, so this is not confirmed to be the actual tomb as jews believe.

Prophet Sulaiman (as)

Prophet Sulaiman (as), born in Jerusalem, was the youngest son of Prophet Dawood (as). Allah (SWT) endowed him with remarkable abilities, such as the power to communicate with animals and to command the Jinns. After inheriting the throne from his father, Prophet Dawood (as), Prophet Sulaiman (as) reigned over Palestine for 30 years.

At the time of Prophet Dawud (as) and Sulaiman (as), Masjid Al-Aqsa had fallen into ruin. Dawud (as) was initially given the noble task of rebuilding the mosque, but he passed away before completing it, leaving the duty to his son, Sulaiman (as).

Prophet Sulaiman, known for his rule over people and jinn, had a considerable amount of support in rebuilding Masjid Al-Aqsa. However, he was concerned that his time in this world was coming to an end. During the reconstruction, he made a special prayer (du'a) to Allah:

When Prophet Sulaiman finished building Bayt al Muqaddas (Masjid Al Aqsa), he asked Allah for three things: (1) a judgement that was in harmony with His judgment, (2) a dominion that no one after him would have, and (3) that no one should come to this mosque intending to pray there without emerging free of sin as the day his mother bore him,"

The Prophet ﷺ then said; "Two prayers were granted, and I hope that the third was also granted."

[Ibn Majah]

SubhanAllah, although Sulaiman (as) passed away while rebuilding the Masjid, Allah still answered his du'a, by ensuring the rebuilding work continued.

In a miraculous event, Sulaiman (as) remained standing, leaning on his walking stick, even after his soul left his body. This led the workers to believe that he was still supervising them, so they continued their work until the mosque was completely rebuilt. It was only when a group of termites had eaten through his walking stick, causing it to no longer support him, that he fell to the ground. [Mentioned in Quran 34:12-14]

When We decreed Sulaiman's death, nothing indicated to the ˹subjected˺ jinn that he was dead except the termites eating away his staff. So when he collapsed, the jinn realized that if they had ˹really˺ known the unseen, they would not have remained in ˹such˺ humiliating servitude.

[Quran 34:14]

Read the history of Al-Aqsa in detail

Prophet Isa (as)

And ˹remember˺ when Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), said, “O children of Israel! I am truly Allah’s messenger to you, confirming the Torah which came before me, and giving good news of a messenger after me whose name will be Aḥmad.” Yet when the Prophet came to them with clear proofs, they said, “This is pure magic.”

[Quran 61:6]

With most scholars citing Bethlehem, in today’s occupied West Bank, as the birth place of Prophet Isa (as), he spent his life in Palestine, spreading the message of Allah ﷻ. Prophet Isa (as) was bestowed with many miracles, being able to heal the sick and bring the dead back to life by Allah's will.

The Mount of Olives in Al-Quds is said to be the site where Prophet Isa (as) ascended to heaven.

The Minret of Isa (as) at Umayyad Mosque, Damascus, is where Isa (as) will descend back to earth before the Judment day.

And for their (Children of Israel) saying, “Indeed, we killed the Messiah, ’Isa, son of Maryam, the Messenger of Allah [as].” But they neither killed nor crucified him but it was only made to appear to them as so. Even those who argue for this (crucifixion) are in doubt. They have no knowledge of it whatsoever, only making assumptions. They certainly did not kill him. Rather, Allah raised him up to Himself. And Allah is Almighty, All-Wise.

[Quran 4:157-158]

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but is the Messenger of Allah and the seal [i.e. last] of the prophets. And Allah has ˹perfect˺ knowledge of all things.

[Quran 33:40]

The final revelation of faith was made through Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, the last and best of the Prophets and Messengers.

The Masjid Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem, Palestine, is the first Qibla, second mosque on earth, and the third holiest site.

Al-Aqsa houses Dome of the Rock which is the location from where Muhammad ﷺ ascended to Heaven during the Night Journey (Isra and Mi'raj). This event is a pivotal moment in Islamic history, and the journey includes the Prophet's visitation to the heavens where he met various prophets and received the instructions for the Muslim prayer (Salah).

Buraq was the name of the heavenly steed on which the Prophet ﷺ rode on his nocturnal journey from Makkah to Jerusalem, and then to the heavens. There's a mosque built, inside Al-Aqsa compound, at the location where he tied the steed.

Read the history of Al-Aqsa in detail