Masjid Al-Aqsa at Risk: Israeli Acquisition, Palestinian Suffering, and the Struggle for Justice

By Amanullah Mohammad, New Age Islam 13 October 2025 A Qur’anic and interfaith reflection on justice, faith, and resistance — highlighting the sanctity of Masjid Al-Aqsa, the moral duty to defend the oppressed (Mustad’afin), and the systematic displacement of Palestinians in defiance of divine and international law. Main Points: 1. The Qur’anic Mandate of Justice – Islam commands defending the oppressed and forbids aggression against innocents (The Holy Qur’an, 5:32; 4:75). 2. Sanctity of Life Across Faiths – Qur’an, Torah (Exodus 20:13), and Talmud (Sanhedrin 37a) affirm the preservation of innocent life. 3. Systematic Land Acquisition and Oppression – Military campaigns and settlement expansions reflect deliberate displacement and land confiscation (UNRWA, 2024; OCHA, 2025). 4. Masjid Al-Aqsa and the Third Temple Threat – Efforts to build a Third Temple on the Temple Mount threaten the mosque’s sanctity and peace (Gorenberg, 2000). 5. Moral Responsibility of the Muslim Ummah – Silence of Muslim nations represent ethical failure; believers must uphold justice and defend the oppressed (The Holy Qur’an, 4:75). ---- The land of Palestine, enriched with sacred history and spiritual significance, is central to the faith of Muslims, Jews, and Christians alike. For Muslims, it is sanctified not only by the presence of Al-Aqsa Mosque—the third holiest site in Islam—but also by centuries of prophetic narratives emphasizing the struggle between justice and oppression. The modern plight of Palestinians is not solely a political crisis; it is also a spiritual and moral test for the global Muslim community. The Divine Mandate: Justice and the Sanctity of Life: This command for justice requires the absolute sanctity of life. Islam distinguishes clearly between just struggle and aggression, emphasizing that harming innocent civilians or persecuted communities is forbidden: “Whoever kills a soul—unless for a soul or for corruption [done] in the land—it is as if he has slain mankind entirely; and whoever saves one—it is as if he had saved all mankind” (The Holy Qur’an, 5:32). The Torah commands the preservation of life, declaring: “Thou shalt not murder” (Exodus 20:13). The Talmud reinforces this truth, teaching: “Whoever destroys a single soul, it is as if he has destroyed an entire world; and whoever saves a single soul, it is as if he has saved an entire world” (Sanhedrin 37a). Any act causing mass civilian deaths, displacement, or oppression—such as that faced by the Palestinian people—violates these fundamental moral and divine laws upheld across all Abrahamic faiths. The Current Reality: Forceful Acquisition and Humanitarian Crisis The modern conflict has intensified into what is widely viewed as a systematic attempt at forceful acquisition of Palestinian territory. Current military campaigns in Gaza, combined with accelerated illegal settlement expansions in the West Bank, serve as mechanisms for taking Palestinian land beyond the 1967 borders. This policy of land confiscation, demolitions, and displacement constitutes a direct, large-scale oppression against the Mustad’afin (UNRWA, 2024; OCHA, 2025). The humanitarian crisis is dire: The blockade of Gaza prevents essential food and medicine from reaching over two million people (UNRWA, 2024). International efforts, such as the Global Sumud Flotilla delivering aid, have been intercepted, preventing relief from reaching vulnerable populations (Global Sumud Flotilla, 2025). Sustained political, military, and diplomatic support from the United States enables these operations with minimal international consequences, intensifying the humanitarian impact. The Sanctity of Al-Quds and the Finality of Faith For Muslims, the sanctity of Jerusalem (Al-Quds) is absolute, rooted in the universality of their faith. Belief in all Prophets, from Adam to ʿĪsā (Jesus), underscores Jerusalem’s significance, particularly as the site of the Prophet Muhammad's Night Journey (Al-Isra' wal-Mi'raj) (The Holy Qur’an, 17:1). This commitment is theological, not political, binding believers to defend sacred history and divine guidance. Masjid Al-Aqsa Under Threat: The Third Temple Masjid Al-Aqsa holds a sacred position in Islam. However, aspirations by certain Jewish groups to build a "Third Temple" on the Temple Mount are viewed as a primary religious motivation behind displacement policies (Gorenberg, 2000). For Muslims, this poses a direct threat to one of Islam's holiest sites and is perceived as an attempt at forceful removal to prepare the ground for a singular religious-political vision. Historical Evidence: Protection of Jews Under Islam and Persecution in Non-Muslim Lands Historically, Jewish communities faced persecution primarily in non-Muslim lands, particularly in Christian-dominated Europe. By contrast, under Islamic rule—such as in Al-Andalus and the Ottoman Empire—Jews were granted safety, religious freedom, and opportunities to thrive (Lewis, 1984; Chazan, 2000). This historical record demonstrates Islam’s ethical precedent: current aggression against Muslims under claims of religious justification violates historical standards of justice. Throughout history, Jews have faced severe persecution in certain non-Muslim regions. Some notable examples include: Babylonian Exile (6th century BCE): The Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar II conquered Jerusalem, destroyed the First Temple, and forced the Jewish people into exile. European Persecutions and the Middle Ages: Many Jewish communities in Christian Europe suffered massacres, forced conversions, and expulsions. Pogroms and anti-Jewish laws were common in medieval Europe. The Holocaust (20th century): Under Adolf Hitler and the Nazi regime in Germany, millions of Jews were systematically exterminated in one of history’s most horrific genocides. In contrast, Islamic teachings under Prophet Muhammad ﷺ mandated the protection of all “People of the Book,” including Jews. Jewish communities living under Muslim governance, such as in the Ottoman Empire or Al-Andalus, were allowed to practice their religion freely, participate in society, and even flourish in trade, scholarship, and governance. This historical record demonstrates that while some rulers persecuted Jews for centuries, Muslims were commanded to uphold justice, protect the innocent, and coexist peacefully. The Moral Failure of Muslim Nations The silence and ineffective diplomatic efforts of the Arab and Muslim-majority countries constitute a severe moral failure and a collective rejection of the Qur'anic command to defend the oppressed (Mustad’afin). This geopolitical inaction undermines the very principles of unity and collective defence. The responsibility now rests heavily on grassroots activism, economic pressure, and relentless advocacy in the global arena. The Holy Qur’an repeatedly commands believers to defend the oppressed: “And what is [the matter] with you that you fight not in the cause of Allah and [for] the oppressed among men, women, and children who say, ‘Our Lord, take us out of this city of oppressive people.’”— Surah An-Nisa (4:75) Conclusion The Palestinian people, enduring decades of occupation, mass displacement, and civilian suffering, represent the Mustad’afin—those oppressed who cry to God for deliverance. Muslims, guided by their faith, are morally obligated to stand with justice, raise their voices for the oppressed, and provide support in accordance with divine law. The cause of Palestine is not merely political, but a matter of faith, morality, and adherence to divine principles. References The Holy Qur’an. (n.d.). Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:32; Surah An-Nahl 16:90; Surah An-Nisa 4:75, 4:135; Surah Al-Isra 17:1. Torah. (n.d.). Exodus 20:13. Talmud. (n.d.). Sanhedrin 37a. Lewis, B. (1984). The Jews of Islam. Princeton University Press. Chazan, R. (2000). Medieval Jewry in Northern Europe. Johns Hopkins University Press. Gorenberg, G. (2000). The End of Days: Fundamentalism and the Struggle for the Temple Mount. Oxford University Press. United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). (2024). Situation Report #145: Gaza Strip and West Bank including East Jerusalem. Retrieved from https://www.unrwa.org/resources/reports/unrwa-situation-report-145-situation-gaza-strip-and-west-bank-including-east-jerusalem United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). (2025). Humanitarian Situation Update #327, Gaza Strip. Retrieved from https://www.ochaopt.org/content/humanitarian-situation-update-327-gaza-strip Global Sumud Flotilla. (2025). Retrieved from https://globalsumudflotilla.org ----- Mohammad Amanullah Mohammad is engaged in research and writing on Islamic history, Quranic interpretation, reformist thought, and interfaith harmony. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-politics/masjid-al-aqsa-israeli-palestinian-justice/d/137216 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism