MiddleEast tour

1
Middle-East tour

• A R Chohan (2008)

2
This presentation gives a pictorial record of
holy Islamic sites we visited during trips to the
Middle-East. It is intended to raise more
awareness among muslims of our history and
heritage. The locations of graves of Prophets and
Sahabah are shown only for information purposes.
Please note that apart from the major sites all
other places are not 100 proved to be genuine
the knowledge of these places have been carried
down the ages. Allah (swt) knows best. A R
Chohan (2008)
3
Jordan
4
Cave of Ashabe-kahf, Amman
Where several Christian boys sought refuge from a
tyrannical pagan king. Allah (swt) caused them to
sleep for approximately 309 years. Their story is
mentioned in the holy Quran in Surah Kahf.
5
Place of Muta
Where the muslims first fought against the
Romans. The graves of 3 sahabah, Zaid bin
Haritha, Jafar bin Abi Talib and Abdullah bin
Rawahah (r.a.) are here. It was in this battle
Hazrat Khalid bin Walid (Saifullah the sword of
Allah) first became amir of a muslim army.
6
Tomb of Hazrat Shoayb (a.s.)
There is a grave in this mosque which is believed
to be the grave of Hazrat Shoayb (a.s.). He was
the father-in-law of Hazrat Musa (a.s.) and was
sent to the people of Madyan.
7
The Treasury, Petra.
This is one of a series of buildings built by the
Nabateans who followed a pagan religion. Some
scholars are of the opinion that they were the
people of Thamud. The holes in the walls are
footholds which they used for positioning while
they carved into the rock.
8
Tomb of Harun (as), Petra.
The white building on top of this mountain is
believed to house the tomb of Hazrat Harun (a.s.)
who was the brother of Hazrat Musa (a.s.). It is
close to the valley of Petra.
9
Syria
10
Omayyad mosque, Damascus.
This mosque is one of the largest and oldest
mosques in the world. Originally the site was a
pagan temple, then a church before the mosque was
built by Caliph Al-Walid 1 between 706 and 715.
11
Omayyad mosque, Damascus.
This minaret, which is on the left side of the
mosque is known as the Jesus minaret. It is from
here that Hazrat Isa (a.s.) will descend back on
earth towards the end of time.
12
Shrine of Yahya (a.s.), Damascus,
Legend has it that this small structure within
the Omayyad mosque houses the head of Hazrat
Yahya (a.s.) (John the Baptist).
13
Grave of Salahuddin Ayyubi, Damascus
The green tomb on the right houses the grave of
Salahuddin Ayyubi, the great general who repelled
the Crusaders and recaptured Jerusalem for the
muslims.
14
Grave of Khalid bin Waleed (r.a.)
Hazrat Khalid bin Waleed (r.a.), the companion of
Rasulullah (s.a.w.) and the greatest muslim
general is buried along with his son in a corner
of this mosque in Hims.
15
Monastery of Bahira the monk
This ruin was the monastery of Bahira, a
righteous Christian monk who was aware of the
coming of a great prophet. When the prophet
Muhammed (saw) was between nine and twelve years
old he accompanied his uncle Abu Talib to a
business trip to Syria. Bahira saw a cloud giving
constant shade to the prophet and recognised him
to be the one that was foretold in the scriptures.
16
Krak de Chevalier, near Hims
This is the interior of Krak de Chevalier castle,
the best preserved Crusader castle in the world.
Salahuddin Ayyuby laid siege to it but was unable
to conquer it. It was eventually taken from the
Crusaders by Sultan Baybers.
17
Palestine
18
Front view of Masjid-e-Aqsa
The name Al-Aqsa mosque translates to the
farthest mosque and is the 3rd most holy place
for muslims. It was here that in around 621 AD
the prophet Muhammed (saw) came on the night
journey from Mecca riding on the Buraq. Note that
the whole land on which the mosque is located is
regarded as sacred to muslims and known as Haram
Sharief.
19
The mihrab of Masjid-e-Aqsa
This marble structure is the mihrab of the
present al-aqsa mosque. The mimbar on the right
was given by the Jordanian government after the
original (which was given by Salahuddin Ayyubi)
was destroyed in a fire started by a fanatical
jew in 1967.
20
The original qiblah, Masjid-e-Aqsa
The floor underneath the present mosque is
regarded to be the real al-aqsa mosque. This area
underground is believed to be the original qibla
to where muslims initially prayed. It is in the
opposite direction of the present qibla in Mecca.
21
Underneath the present mosque
The stone pillars on the right are believed to
have been erected by jinnat in the time of Hazrat
Sulaiman (a.s.). The small mihrab is believed to
be the place where Mariam (a.s.) used to receive
out of season fruits when she was pregnant with
Hazrat Isa (a.s.).
22
Marwan-e-masjid
This praying area, which is underground and on
the left side of the present al-aqsa mosque was
the Marwan-e-masjid and has recently been
restored. When the Crusaders had control of the
mosque they used to use this area as stables for
their horses and it became known as Solomons
stables.
23
Dome of the rock, Jerusalem
The Dome of the Rock (Qubbatus Saqqara) is often
mistaken to be the Al-Aqsa mosque. This structure
was built by Caliph Abd al-Malik from 688 to 691
and houses the sacred rock from which the prophet
Muhammed (saw) ascended to heaven after the night
journey to Jerusalem.
24
Interior of Dome of the Rock
This is the actual rock in the foreground and a
cave exists underneath it. It is the opinion of
some scholars that the angel Israfeel (a.s.) will
blow the soor (trumpet) from this place to herald
the Day of Judgement.
25
Buraq masjid
This small structure, on the right of the al-aqsa
mosque is believed to be the place where the
prophet Muhammed (s.a.w.) tied the buraq, the
winged riding animal upon which he rode during
the night of ascension. The western wall which is
on the right is what the jews call the Wailing
Wall.
26
Crusader cross (on Haram Sharief)
This is the remains of the cross on which the
Crusaders, upon conquering Jerusalem, slaughtered
thousands of the resident muslims on. It was
broken up when Salahuddin Ayyubi re-conquered the
city.
27
Masjid-e-Khalil, Hebron
Masjid-e-Kalil in Hebron is built over a small
cemetery where lies the graves of four of the
most illustrious prophets and their wives. The
four prophets are Hazrat Ebrahim (a.s.), his son
Isaaq (a.s.), his son Yaqub (a.s.) and his son
Yusuf (a.s.). A view down to the cemetery can be
seen from the small circular structure above.
28
Tomb of Hazrat Ebrahim (a.s.)
This is the tomb of Hazrat Ebrahim (a.s.) which
is built directly above his actual grave which is
below ground. On the far side are the windows
from the jewish synagogue which is built right
next to the mosque. This place is a source of
great friction between muslims and jews.
29
Tomb of Hazrat Isaaq (a.s.), Hebron
These are the tombs of Hazrat Isaaq (a.s.)
(right) and his wife Rifaqah (left) and are
directly over their graves which are below
ground. These tombs are on the muslim side along
with Sarah (a.s.), one of the wives of Ebrahim
(a.s.). The tombs of Hazrat Yaqub and Yusuf
(a.s.) are on the jewish side. Jews and muslims
are allowed to enter the others area for 10 days
in a year.
30
Mosque of Hazrat Yunus (a.s.)
The grave of Hazrat Yunus (a.s.) is housed inside
this mosque, not far from Jerusalem.
Occasionally, Jews come to visit also.
31
Grave of Abdullah bin Masood (r.a.)
This small structure (close to the mosque of
Yunus a.s.) contains the grave of Hazrat Abdullah
bin Masood (r.a.) one of the most eminent
companions of Rasulullah (s.a.w.). The olive tree
on the left is believed to be more than 1400
years old.
32
Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem
It is believed by the Christians that Hazrat Isa
(a.s.) was born in this place. A marble floor
(inset) denotes the exact spot.
33
Tomb of Hazrat Lut (a.s.)
This building on the right houses a tomb which is
believed to be of Hazrat Lut (a.s.) and is
situated near the Dead Sea.
34
A R Chohan (2008)