Significance Of Al-Quds Day

International Quds Day is an important day for humanity. It is the day to express our solidarity with the oppressed people and demonstrate the resentment against the oppressors. It is the day which breaks the back of Zionist forces and their allies. It is the day of persecuted ones against the tyrants. Its a day to remember Quds (Jerusalem), our first Qibla, the beloved land of Palestine and the catastrophe and calamity that was brought upon them with the creation of the State of Israel.

Quds Day was initiated by the revolutionary leader late Imam Ruhollah Khomeini (R.A.) soon after he founded first Islamic Republic on the world map after 1300 years gap. He thus laid a solid foundation for the freedom struggle of the sacred land of Palestine. It is commemorated every year on the last Friday (Jumut-ul-Vida) of the holy month of Ramzan and is also designated as Youm-al-Quds. 

The Israeli forces are killing, bombarding and torturing the innocent Palestinian people in a planned manner. Palestinians are struggling against the forced and illegal foreign occupations since last 6 to 7 decades and Israel is using every possible oppressive method to suppress the voice of helpless people.

The first Qibla, Muslims prayed towards, is Al-Aqsa mosque or  "Bait-ul-Muqqadas" (Holy place) which is now in Jerusalem (Quds). Most of the prophets of Allah were appointed in this city. This is one of the most blessed places on earth. 

Prophet Mohammad (SAW) with Ahlulbayt (A.S.) and noble companions (RA) used to say their prayers facing towards direction of Quds. Prophet Mohammad (SAWW)  offered his prayers facing Bait-ul-Muqqadas for thirteen years when he was in Makkah then for seventeen months after emigration to Medina. The foundation for Bait-ul-Muqqadas has been laid by Prophets of Allah Almighty and they used to spend their sacred life there besides offered their prayers there also. Prophet Mohammad (SAWW) has said that Masjid-ul-Haram in Mecca is the first mosque that was constructed in the world and then Bait-ul-Muqqadas was the second mosque which was build 40 years later after the establishment of Masjid-ul-Haram. 

According to the Holy Quran and Islamic traditions, Al-Aqsa Mosque is the place from which Prophet Mohammad (SAWW) went on a spiritual night journey  (Al Isra Val Me'raj) from Makkah to al-Aqsa.  Prophet Mohammad (SAWW) tethered Buraq to the Western Wall and prayed at al-Aqsa Mosque and after he finished his prayers, the Angel Jibril (A.S.) traveled with him to heaven, where he met several other prophets and led them in prayer. There are numerous traditions regarding Bait-ul-Muqqadas. 

1. Whosoever visits Bait-ul-Muqqadas with lot of zeal and religious fervour then he or she will enter the heaven. 

2. If anyone will offer two Rakats of prayers in Bait-ul-Muqqadas then his sins will be pardoned, his heart will always stay attached to Allah Almighty and he will keep reciting the eulogy of Allah Almighty. 

3. Whosoever gives alms to destitute people in Bait-ul-Muqqadas will save himself from the fire of hell. 

It is well established fact that Quds is an important part of Islam and its liberation from the Zionist Israel is paramount for Islam. Therefore, whole Muslim Ummah, keeping aside their sectarian differences, should unite under one umbrella and fight for the Palestine freedom struggle with greater energy. Quds Day is a unique opportunity for us to unite under one platform and we should provide all the resources available to us for the just cause of Palestine.    

Quds Day is not only aimed for Palestine but it is also meant for all the oppressed nations. It is the day to oppose all the oppressors including the global arrogance, aka America. It is the day to reenergize ourselves to fight against the falsehood.  It is the day which demarcates between the right and wrong. The righteous ones join Quds Day rallies and the hypocrites oppose it by tooth and nail as they want Muslims to forget Quds. 

They don't permit Quds Day demonstrations and always create hurdles  and try to sabotage them on one pretext or the other. At times, they attack these rallies through their paid mercenaries like they did in Quetta, Pakistan on 3rd September, 2010 when 60 participants of Quds Day rally were martyred in a suicide attack by terrorists.  Moreover,  the Nigerian Army, which is subservient to the Zionists and to prove their loyalty to masters, perpetrated a bloodbath of peaceful participants in the Quds Day rally at Zaria, Nigeria  on 24th July, 2014 which claimed the lives of 33 peaceful pro-Palestinian protesters including the three sons of the leader of Islamic Movement in Nigeria Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky. In UK and Canada Zionist lobbies organise counter rallies on the day of al-Quds in support of Israeli regime. 

So it is crystal clear now that the Israel along with its master America and their collaborators are the biggest enemies of Islam and anything which goes against their stand, they thwart it with all their available resources. It is very unfortunate for the Muslim World that some Arab rulers are hand in glove with the America and Israel to persecute Muslims all over the world.

Recently Donald Trump, the President of US was entertained by so called custodians of the two holy mosques in the holy land of Hijaz despite the fact that the US policies are always formulated against Islam particularly against the oppressed people of Palestine. Trump, aptly called 'Donald of Arabia' proved it soon after he traveled to Israel directly from Hijaz and showered the illegal state with the money he received in gifts from Saudi sheikhs. 

Arabs rulers, who ideally should have been proud of Quds Day, oppose it because this day rekindles hope among oppressed for the freedom and dignity which these rulers abhor and fear.

The Arab Resistance Movement Hezbollah, the only entity that has defeated Israel ever, in 2006 had made a blueprint to liberate Quds and Palestine from the clutches of Israel but it was impeded by Israel with active support of Arab sheikhdoms who orchestrated a civil war in Syria and turmoil in Iraq immediately after the Hezbollah victory .  

Israel along with its masters America with full backing and support from Persian Gulf Arab countries pumped petrodollars into into the unjust war, created  ISIS (Daesh) and plethora of other terror groups to divert the attention from the core issue: Palestine. 

23rd June, 2017 (Jumut-ul-Vida) is the day of remembrance of dear Quds (Jerusalem) and all the oppressed people of world including Kashmir, Yemen, Bahrain, Burma, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Pakistan  and so on.  All the Islamic Scholars and Imams of the Masjids should highlight the issue of Masjid Al-Aqsa which is under the illegal and forced occupation of Zionist oppressors in their Jumma-tul-vida sermons and organize special prayers for the liberation of  Palestine from Israel. After Friday prayers, peaceful demonstrations should be held all around the globe to press upon international community to liberate Palestine from the illegal occupation and give befitting reply to Israel that Palestine is not alone.  Everyone with heart should participate in these rallies as it the religious obligation to confront the oppressor and stand with the oppressed people.    

I want to conclude with the slogan, "From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be Free"

By arrangement with Kashmir Observer