Quran Cordoba - Baitul Maqdis—or now better known as Palestine—is not just a historical country. It is a blessed land (ardhul mubarakah) , also ardhul muqaddasah is called a holy place by Allah SWT, its blessing is even mentioned five times in the Koran.

However, what exactly is the meaning of the "blessing" attached to this holy land? Why did Allah place blessings on this area so that it became the center of the civilization of the Prophets? This is the land of the Prophets and Apostles.

This article will examine the circle of blessings of Baitul Maqdis —a concept that describes how Allah flows His blessings through chosen places, times, and people.

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The Meaning of Blessings: Hidden Divine Gifts

The word barakah (البركة) linguistically means to increase, grow, and remain . Terminologically, it is a divine gift or reward in the form of goodness ( ni'mah berkah Ilahiyyah ) that Allah places on certain things—whether time, place, or people.

For example:     

· Blessed time: Among the 12 months, Allah chose the month of Ramadan . In it there are 10 best nights, and among them is one special night: Laylat al-Qadr , the blessed night ( laylah mubarakah ).

· Blessed humans: Among all mankind, Allah chose the Prophets , Messengers and Martyrs as bearers of mercy.

· Blessed places: Allah chose three holy places that have the highest spiritual value for Muslims: the Kaaba in Makkah , Madinah Al-Munawwarah , and Baitul Maqdis in Palestine.

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Three Centers of Civilization and Blessings in the Islamic World

In the view of the scholars, these three holy places are not just pilgrimage sites, but three spiritual axes that radiate different types of blessings:

· Kaaba in Makkah City → Center of guidance for the universe.

God willing, God willing, God willing, God willing, God willing. مُبٰرَكًا وَّهُدًى لِّلْعٰلَمِيْنَۚ

" Indeed, the house (of worship) which was originally built as a place of worship for humans was the Baitullah in Bakkah (Makkah) which was blessed and became a guide for all the worlds " (QS. Ali Imran [3]: 96)

· Madinah Al-Munawwarah → Center of grace for all nature.

وَمَآ اَرْسَلْنٰكَ اِلَّا رَحْمَةً لِّلْعٰلَمِيْنَ

" And We did not send you (Muhammad), but to be a mercy to the worlds ." (QS. Al-Anbiya [21]: 107)

· Baitul Maqdis or Palestine → Center of blessings for the entire universe.

وَنَجَّيْنٰهُ وَلُوْطًا اِلَى الْاَرْضِ الَّتِيْ بٰرَكْناَ فِيْهَا لِلْعٰلَمِيْنَ

" And We saved him (Ibrahim) and Lot to the land which We have blessed for all the worlds ." (QS. Al-Anbiya [21]: 71)

Thus, Baitul Maqdis is not "third in line" after the two Haramain, but rather one of three centers of blessing in the universe, each with its own portion and role. These centers of blessing are a single entity, inseparable from one another.

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Visible and Unseen Blessings

The scholars divide the Baitul Maqdis blessing into two forms:

1. Sensory Blessings (Hissiyyah) → Can be felt tangibly. The land is fertile, the air is cool, and it has been an important trade route since ancient times.

2. Spiritual Blessings → Invisible to the eye, but felt in the form of tranquility, light of faith, and closeness to the Prophets.

Although it's difficult for modern humans to directly "see" the blessings, their effects are still felt by anyone who prays or performs worship there. That's why the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized,

لَا تُشَدُّ الرِّحَالُ إِلَّا إِلَى ثَلَاثَةِ مَسَاجِدَ مَسْجِدِي هَذَا وَمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ وَمَسْجِدَ

"Do not bother traveling (for worship) except to the three mosques: the Grand Mosque, the Nabawi Mosque and the Aqsa Mosque." (HR. Bukhari-Muslim)

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Baitul Maqdis: Land of the Prophets Since the Beginning of Creation

The blessings of Palestine did not begin when the Prophets lived there, but were decreed by God from the very beginning of the earth's creation. This is affirmed in His Word:

" And We saved him (Ibrahim) and Lot to the land which We have blessed for all the worlds ." (QS. Al-Anbiya [21]: 71)

Baitul Maqdis is the land chosen by Allah for the Prophets: the place where Prophets Ibrahim and Lot were saved, the birthplace of Prophet Isa, the place where Prophets David and Sulaiman led, and the place of the Isra' Mi'raj of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

From Abu Dzar ra, Rasulullah ﷺ said:

"The first mosque built on earth was the Grand Mosque."
I asked, “Then which?”
He answered, "Aqsa Mosque."
I asked, “What is the distance between the two?”
He answered, "Forty years." (HR. Bukhari-Muslim)

This means that since the time of Prophet Adam 'alaihis salam, the Al Aqsa Mosque has stood as a symbol of unity and worship of Allah.

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Baitul Maqdis: Center of Blessings for the Universe 🌍

The blessings of Jerusalem are mentioned five times in the Quran, with the terms "al-ardh allati barakna fiha" (the land We have blessed) and "al-ladhi barakna hawlahu" (the surrounding area We have blessed). There is a circle of blessings, with Jerusalem as its center. Surrounding it are also places of blessing, from Syria, Sinai, Egypt, its waters to Cyprus, and the Arabian Peninsula, including, of course, Mecca and Medina.

In fact, it has been a blessing since the time of the Prophets and Apostles, Allah SWT. Says:

وَلِسُلَيْمٰنَ الرِّيْحَ عَاصِفَةً تَجْرِيْ بِاَمْرِهٖٓ God willing, God willing, God willing, God willing, God willing شَيْءٍ عٰلِمِيْنَ

"And (We subjected) to Sulayman a very strong wind that blew at his command over the land that We blessed him with. And We are All-Knowing of everything." (QS. Al-Anbiya, 21: 81)

verses of the Quran related to the blessings of Baitul Maqdis include:

· Al-Anbiya verses 71 and 81

· Saba verse 18

· Al-Isra verse 1

· Al-A'raf verse 137

وَجَعَلْنَا بَيْنَهُمْ وَبَيْنَ الْقُرَى الَّتِيْ بٰرَكْنَا The message سِيْرُوْا فِيْهَا لَيَالِيَ وَاَيَّامًا اٰمِنِيْنَ

" And We made between them (the people of Saba') and the countries that We blessed (Syam), several neighboring countries and We determined between those countries (distances) for travel. Walk in these countries at night and during the day safely ." (QS. Saba, 34: 18)

Even the region of Sham —which includes Palestine, Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon—was mentioned by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as part of the blessed land. When he arrived at Tabuk, he said, "This is where Sham begins." (Narrated by Ahmad)

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Prayers for Jerusalem and Palestine ‍💫

Baitul Maqdis is not only a historical symbol, but also the axis of blessing for the Muslim community. It is where the prophets once stood, from generation to generation, from era to era, and from there the light of prophecy spread throughout the world.

Maintaining, helping, and praying for Baitul Maqdis Palestine means maintaining one of the sources of blessings for the people.

May Allah protect this holy land, free it from injustice, and restore peace under His protection. Amen, Rabbal 'Alamin. 🌿

Source:

Strategic Plan for the Liberation of Al-Aqsa Mosque, 2025

Saladincamp Resume, Prof. Abd. Fatah Al-Awaisi, 2025

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