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«Jews and Muslims did worship together at Dome of the Rock» « News that matters ivarfjeld.wordpress.com
Ben Abrahamson
Sebeos in his "A History of Heraclius" written around 660 CE explains that in 614 CE the Persians put Jerusalem under siege. The city surrendered without a fight and the Persians appointed a Jewish governor of the city (a son of the Exilarch). After a short time the governor was lynched by a mob and in retaliation the Persians sacked the city, burned the churches and took the bishop and "true cross" (known the the Jews as the "staff of aharon/moses") to Persia.
Byzantine Emperor Heraclius in a fit of rage began an organized persecution of Jews and ordered that the Temple mount be used as a latrine. When the Muslim's conquered the city in 638 CE, the Islamic histories record that Caliph 'Umar himself helped to clear the Temple mount of filth. Sebeos says that the Jews tried to build a "House of Prayer" on the rock, however the Christians revolted. The Caliph ordered the Jews removed from that place and ordered that the Jews and Muslims should pray together in the area that became the Al-Aqsa mosque.
The Muslims built a shrine (not a mosque - it has no qibla) on the area over the rock for Christians, and decorated with inscriptions directed at Christians abdjuring them not to exceed the bounds of their faith. The Jews and Muslims prayed together at Al-Aqsa until shortly before the rise of the Umayyad Caliphate.
Byzantine Emperor Heraclius in a fit of rage began an organized persecution of Jews and ordered that the Temple mount be used as a latrine. When the Muslim's conquered the city in 638 CE, the Islamic histories record that Caliph 'Umar himself helped to clear the Temple mount of filth. Sebeos says that the Jews tried to build a "House of Prayer" on the rock, however the Christians revolted. The Caliph ordered the Jews removed from that place and ordered that the Jews and Muslims should pray together in the area that became the Al-Aqsa mosque.
The Muslims built a shrine (not a mosque - it has no qibla) on the area over the rock for Christians, and decorated with inscriptions directed at Christians abdjuring them not to exceed the bounds of their faith. The Jews and Muslims prayed together at Al-Aqsa until shortly before the rise of the Umayyad Caliphate.
Ben Abrahamson
The Jews were not allowed to come within several tens of miles within Jerusalem, or they would be killed. The Caliph 'Umar (ra) allowed the Jews to pray in Jerusalem. He had the Temple Mount cleaned of filth. He even allowed a Sanhedrin to be reformed by inviting 70 Jewish families to live on the southern end of the Temple Mount. This was all new and marvelous in the eyes of the Jewish community. Yet Caliph 'Umar (ra) was sensitive to the rights of Christians and to allow them to continue worshiping as they had previously. This unique situation lasted for about twenty years.
It all changed when civil war broke out among the Muslims (second fitna). Some fanatical Jews joined the kawarij, although the vast majority simply sided with Hz 'Ali (ra). In both cases this created tension between the Jews living in Jerusalem and the 'Umayyad Caliphate. When the anti-Caliph Ibn al-Zubayr claimed a large following from among the Jews, 'Umayyad Caliph Marwan retaliated by removing the Jews from their village at the base of the Temple Mount and began building there three huge palaces with a bridge to the Al-Aksqa mosque. His son Abd al-Malik expanded and greatly decorated the Qubbat As-Sakhrah (Dome of the Rock) which was either the cause or result of further tension between the Jewish supporters of Islam and the 'Umayyads.
It all changed when civil war broke out among the Muslims (second fitna). Some fanatical Jews joined the kawarij, although the vast majority simply sided with Hz 'Ali (ra). In both cases this created tension between the Jews living in Jerusalem and the 'Umayyad Caliphate. When the anti-Caliph Ibn al-Zubayr claimed a large following from among the Jews, 'Umayyad Caliph Marwan retaliated by removing the Jews from their village at the base of the Temple Mount and began building there three huge palaces with a bridge to the Al-Aksqa mosque. His son Abd al-Malik expanded and greatly decorated the Qubbat As-Sakhrah (Dome of the Rock) which was either the cause or result of further tension between the Jewish supporters of Islam and the 'Umayyads.
Ben Haryo Dear Rabbi Abrahamson, was the peaceful historical situation of 20 years under Caliph Umar between Muslims, Christians and Jews left any written records, especially in Jewish sources?
Ben Abrahamson Yes it is mentioned by Sebeos and numerous documents contained in the Cairo Geniza. It is also aluded to in a poetic way in the Midrashei Geulah. Recent archeological research outside the southern wall of the Temple Mount has uncovered these greate Umayyad palaces (which were never finished) and even a synagogue dating to the original conquest with the Torah Ark (Qibla) pointing towards Mecca. Irshad Alam @BEN COULD U PLS EL;ABORATE--- WHY THE jEWISH QIBLA WAS TOWARDS mecca instead of the temple mount itself
Ben AbrahamsonI don't know for sure. The simple answer is that the synagogue could have belonged to Kab Al-Ahbar or Abdulah ibn Salaam (ra). The synagogue has been certainly dated to that period. A more complex answer would take into account that when the new Qibla was revealed to the Prophet (pbuh) in 623 CE, it was the same year Heraclius ordered the Temple Mount to become used as the city's latrine. It would not be surprising if some Jews agreed to turn away from the polluted Temple Mount and turn towards Mecca, especially if they had a tradition that the Ka'aba was an Abrahamic altar.
Irshad Alam do u have any comment on the M uslim qibla turning from jerusalem to mecca?
Ben Abrahamson
It was guidance from Allah SWT to the Muslims, to make them a distinct Nation. What else can be said?
The fools among the people will say: "What hath turned them from the Qibla to which they were used?" Say: To Allah belong both east and West: He guideth whom He will to a Way that is straight. (Surat Al-Baqara 2.142)
Thus, have We made of you a Nation justly balanced, that ye might be witnesses over the nations, and the Messenger a witness over yourselves; and We appointed the Qibla to which thou wast used, only to test those who followed the Messenger from those who would turn on their heels (From the Faith). Indeed it was (A change) momentous, except to those guided by Allah. And never would Allah Make your faith of no effect. For Allah is to all people Most surely full of kindness, Most Merciful. (Surat Al-Baqara 2.143)
Ben Abrahamson The fools among the people will say: "What hath turned them from the Qibla to which they were used?" Say: To Allah belong both east and West: He guideth whom He will to a Way that is straight. (Surat Al-Baqara 2.142)
Thus, have We made of you a Nation justly balanced, that ye might be witnesses over the nations, and the Messenger a witness over yourselves; and We appointed the Qibla to which thou wast used, only to test those who followed the Messenger from those who would turn on their heels (From the Faith). Indeed it was (A change) momentous, except to those guided by Allah. And never would Allah Make your faith of no effect. For Allah is to all people Most surely full of kindness, Most Merciful. (Surat Al-Baqara 2.143)
This reminds me of the Torah verse "today you have become a Nation to your God"
“And it shall be on the day when ye shall pass over the Jordan unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee... And thou shalt write upon the stones all the words of this law very plainly... Moses and the Levitical priests spoke to all of Israel, saying: ‘Pay heed and listen, Israel, today you have become a nation to your God. You must therefore obey your God and guard His commandments and decrees, as I am prescribing them to you today.’ ” (Deuteronomy 27:2,8,9-10)
Ben Haryo Dear Rabbi Abrahamson,reading your explanation above reminds me of the v'ahavta prayer..“And it shall be on the day when ye shall pass over the Jordan unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee... And thou shalt write upon the stones all the words of this law very plainly... Moses and the Levitical priests spoke to all of Israel, saying: ‘Pay heed and listen, Israel, today you have become a nation to your God. You must therefore obey your God and guard His commandments and decrees, as I am prescribing them to you today.’ ” (Deuteronomy 27:2,8,9-10)
Faicel Est Dear Rabbi Abrahamson.do you think that king Abdallah represent muslims?Holy Coran tels us about jews;and gives us the best way to behave with jews.
Ben Abrahamson King Abdalllah is a gifted leader with unique insight. He has worked hard to serve the cause of Muslims throughout the world. Only the Qur'an, Ahaddith, and Ahlu-s-Sunnah wa-l-Jama'ah represent the Muslims.
