Friday khutba – April 10, 2026 (21 Shawwal 1447 AH)
Al-Aqsa Mosque: The Legacy of the Prophets and the Responsibility of the Ummah
All praise belongs to Allah. We worship Him and seek His help. We bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is His servant and Messenger.
“O you who believe, be mindful of Allah and speak words of truth. He will set right your deeds and forgive your sins. Whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger has indeed attained a great success.”
Today, we speak about a land that Allah blessed even before it was touched by human feet—a place where one of the oldest houses of worship on earth stands. Al-Bukhari narrates that Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) asked the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): “Which mosque was built first?” He replied: “The Sacred Mosque in Mecca, then Al-Aqsa Mosque. Between them were forty years.”
Our connection to Al-Aqsa is neither accidental nor temporary; it is deeply rooted in the history of humanity. This land was a refuge and a home for the prophets. Ibrahim (peace be upon him) migrated there; Ishaq and Ya‘qub lived upon its soil; and within its surroundings, the signs of Allah were revealed to Zakariya, Yahya, and ‘Isa (Jesus), peace be upon them all. For centuries, it stood as a beacon of monotheism and a sanctuary for sincere believers devoted to Allah alone.
The Muslim claim to Al-Aqsa is not merely a statement—it is a natural continuation of the legacy of faith. Those who uphold monotheism are closest to the prophets and have the strongest right to every place established for the worship of the One God.
When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was taken on the Night Journey to Al-Aqsa, it was a clear sign that the mission of monotheism had been entrusted to this Ummah—to become the guardian of the legacy of the prophets and their sacred sanctuaries.
Yet today, Al-Aqsa Mosque—spanning approximately 144,000 square meters—faces a painful reality of isolation. Its gates are closed to its people, and believers are kept away from it. Even in blessed times such as Ramadan, hearts are deprived of praying within its grounds, and during times of celebration, the joy of the faithful is absent from its courtyards.
This is further compounded by excavations threatening its foundations and repeated incursions aimed at undermining and obscuring its Islamic identity. Despite this, our brothers and sisters there remain steadfast, standing as the first line of defense for the dignity of our Ummah and its sacred places.
Brothers and sisters,
we live in societies where opinions differ, and therefore we must approach the issue of Al-Aqsa with clarity, conviction, and knowledge. Teach your children, and convey to those around you, that Al-Aqsa is an undeniable right—one that cannot be negotiated—and that it has been entrusted to Muslims as part of the inheritance of the prophets.
Every Muslim is an ambassador of this cause. Steadfast faith, noble character, and excellence in one’s work are all forms of support for this sacred trust. None of us should think that it is too distant or beyond our concern. A sincere prayer in the depths of the night, asking Allah to relieve the hardship of Al-Aqsa and its people, is a real and living connection to this blessed land.
Revive in your homes the stories of the prophets in the Holy Land. Raise your children so that the first qibla never fades from their hearts, and so that they understand that the One who blessed the surroundings of Al-Aqsa has entrusted us with the responsibility to protect and support it—through sincere words, humble supplication, and awareness of our history.
In conclusion, know that Al-Aqsa is not merely a place we speak about—it is a trust we carry and a test of the sincerity of our faith and our loyalty to our religion. Whoever is sincere with Allah will receive His support, and whoever carries the concerns of the Ummah in their heart will never be forsaken by Him.
So renew your covenant with your Lord. Revive within your hearts a sense of responsibility and solidarity. Be among those who remember when reminded, who respond when called, and who awaken when encouraged.
O Allah, unite our hearts, instill within us a sense of responsibility for our sacred places, and make us among those who sincerely and faithfully uphold Your religion. Grant us to witness the day when Al-Aqsa is free and honored, and when the believers return to it in safety and peace.
