Islam & Jerusalem

Submitted by Mohamed Khan (United States), Jan 5, 2011 at 00:45

few important notes on Jerusalem

After receiving prophethood , prophet Mohamed and his followers used to pray their prayers not facing Mecca as muslims do today, but they prayed facing the Jerusalem. This continued for sixteen to seventeen months after which God commanded Mohamed to turn towards Mecca in their prayers.

Once Prophet Mohamed was questioned, "O Allah's Apostle! Which mosque was first built on the surface of the earth?" He said, "Al-Masjid-ul-,Haram (in Mecca)." He was asked again, "Which was built next?" He replied "The mosque of Al-Aqsa ( in Jerusalem) ." He was asked again, "What was the period in between them?" He replied, "Forty (years)."

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