Part 4
Written by: Abu Hajar Al-Kurdi
Al-Quds Throughout History
The original and earliest inhabitants of Palestine were the Jebusites, who had migrated from the Arabian Peninsula centuries ago. Later, Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, peace be upon him) migrated from Babylon to Palestine around 1800 BCE. The local people warmly welcomed him, and the Jebusite king (Melchizedek) formed a friendship pact with Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him).
After this period, the Israelites, under the leadership of Yusha (Joshua), dominated Palestine around 1330 BCE after the era of Prophet Musa (Moses, peace be upon him). However, they were unable to conquer Quds (Jerusalem) and the Jebusite fortress. Approximately 1000 BCE, Prophet Dawud (David, peace be upon him) captured Jerusalem. He passed away in 961 BCE, and his son, Prophet Sulayman (Solomon, peace be upon him), succeeded him.
Prophet Solomon (peace be upon him) magnificently rebuilt Jerusalem, utilizing various precious materials and even employing jinn in the construction. His kingdom lasted until 922 BCE, but the Jebusites continued to reside in the region.
In 605 BCE, Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar attacked Quds. By 597 BCE, he exiled the king, his family, 8,000–10,000 people, the temple’s treasures, and 30,000–40,000 artisans to Babylon. In 586 BCE, Nebuchadnezzar sent his army to Jerusalem again, capturing the king and destroying Jerusalem. It was reduced to rubble, effectively ending Jewish sovereignty.
In 539 BCE, Persian King Cyrus, with Jewish support, conquered Babylon and Sham, bringing Quds under Persian control until 332 BCE. Alexander the Great captured Al-Quds and Palestine without resistance in 332 BCE.
In 63 BCE, the Roman general Pompey besieged Jerusalem for three months and, upon capturing it, killed many of its inhabitants. In 37 BCE, Herod became king of Jerusalem, and in 27 BCE, Pilate assumed governance. During his rule, the events concerning Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) occurred. Prophet Jesus was born to Mary, daughter of Imran, after a nine-month pregnancy, on Tuesday, December 24, in Bethlehem.
The Christian Era
Prophet Isa (peace be upon him) faced severe oppression from the Jews. Ultimately, the Jews plotted to kill him. One of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, betrayed his hiding place for 30 pieces of silver. However, Allah Almighty cast the appearance of Jesus upon Judas, leading the Jews to kill him instead, while Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) was raised alive to the heavens.
Allah states in the Qur’an:
[وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ وَمَا صَلَبُوهُ وَلَكِنْ شُبِّهَ لَهُمْ وَإِنَّ الَّذِينَ اخْتَلَفُوا فِيهِ لَفِي شَكٍّ مِنْهُ مَا لَهُمْ بِهِ مِنْ عِلْمٍ إِلَّا اتَّبَاعَ الظَّنِّ وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ يَقِينًا بَلْ رَفَعَهُ اللَّهُ إِلَيْهِ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَزِيزًا حَكِيمًا]
Translation:
“And for their saying, “We have certainly killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, the messenger of Allah.” They did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but it was made to appear so to them. Indeed, those who differ about him are in doubt about it. They have no knowledge of it except the following of assumption. They did not kill him, for certain. Rather, Allah raised him to Himself. And ever is Allah Exalted in Might and Wise.”
During the Christian era, both Jews and Christians regarded Jerusalem as their qibla (direction of prayer), but their enmity towards each other persisted. The Qur’an describes their disagreements:
“وَقَالَتِ الْيَهُودُ لَيْسَتِ النَّصَارَى عَلَى شَيْءٍ وَقَالَتِ النَّصَارَى لَيْسَتِ الْيَهُودُ عَلَى شَيْءٍ…”
Translation:
“The Jews say, ‘The Christians have nothing [true] to stand on,’ and the Christians say, ‘The Jews have nothing [to stand on],’ although they both recite the Scripture.”
In 70 CE, Roman General Titus besieged Quds, plundered the city, burned it, and inflicted heavy casualties. Hundreds of Jews were taken captive and sold in Roman markets. In 135 CE, Emperor Hadrian crushed a Jewish revolt, destroyed Jerusalem, and banned Jews from the city. They fled to Egypt, mountains, and valleys.
The Greeks took control of the city, renaming it “Aelia.” From 135 CE to 614 CE, Sham remained under Persian rule, and Jerusalem experienced relative peace. However, Jews, with the Persian army’s help, massacred Christians and destroyed churches. They killed over 60,000 Christians, burying 5,000 in a mass grave.
Through Jewish efforts, they demolished the Church of the Sepulchre and broke the cross that Christians held sacred. On August 6, 610 CE, Allah’s light, the Seal of the Prophets, Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (peace and blessings be upon him), was commissioned as a prophet in Mecca.
Through Jewish efforts, the Jews demolished the Church of the Sepulchre and shattered the cross that the Christians considered sacred. In 610 CE, on August 6, Allah sent His final messenger, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), as a Messenger in Makkah.
In 627 CE, the Roman Emperor Heraclius expelled the Persians from Jerusalem, cleansing the city of Persians and Jews. The Quran references this victory:
غُلِبَتِ الرُّومُ فِي أَدْنَى الْأَرْضِ وَهُمْ مِنْ بَعْدِ غَلَبِهِمْ سَيَغْلِبُونَ”
