Why Is Jerusalem Important in Shia Islam?

Jerusalem is one of the most important religious places in Islam, including Shia Islam. Known as Al-Quds in Arabic and Bayt al-Maqdis in Islamic sources, the city has a special connection to the Quran, the Prophet Muhammad, and the teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt (the Prophet's family).

But why do Shia Muslims consider Jerusalem important? Is it because of the Prophet's Night Journey, its connection to the first Muslim prayer direction, or the teachings of the Shia Imams?

The answer includes all three. Jerusalem is important in Shia Islam because the Quran describes the area around Al-Aqsa as blessed, Islamic tradition connects it to the Prophet's Night Journey, and early Muslims once prayed toward it before the direction of prayer changed to the Kaaba in Mecca.

Shia hadith collections also contain narrations that recognize the religious value of Bayt al-Maqdis.

Let's explore the main reasons.

1. Jerusalem Is Mentioned in the Quran as a Blessed Place

One of the strongest reasons Jerusalem is important in Shia Islam is its connection to the Quran.

In Surah Al-Isra, Allah describes the Prophet Muhammad's journey from the Sacred Mosque in Mecca to Al-Masjid al-Aqsa, a mosque whose surroundings He blessed.

Allah says:

This verse gives Jerusalem a special place in Islamic belief for two main reasons.

First, Al-Masjid al-Aqsa is directly mentioned in the Quran. It is not simply a historical building or a place that became important because of later political events.

Second, Allah describes its surroundings as blessed. This shows that the area has a special religious significance.

In his famous Shia Quran commentary, Al-Mizan, Allama Muhammad Husayn Tabatabai identifies Al-Masjid al-Aqsa in this verse with Bayt al-Maqdis (Jerusalem).

Therefore, Shia Muslims recognize the connection between Jerusalem and this important Quranic verse.

2. Jerusalem and the Prophet Muhammad's Night Journey

Another major reason Jerusalem is important in Shia Islam is its connection to the Prophet Muhammad's Isra and Mi'raj.

Isra refers to the Prophet's night journey, while Mi'raj refers to his heavenly ascension.

According to Islamic tradition, the Prophet was taken on a miraculous journey during the night. He traveled from the Sacred Mosque in Mecca to Al-Masjid al-Aqsa and then experienced the heavenly stages of his journey.

This event is important because it connects Jerusalem directly to one of the greatest miracles in the life of Prophet Muhammad.

Shia sources also preserve narrations about this event.

In the discussion of narrations under Quran 17:1 in Tafsir al-Mizan, reports describe the Prophet's arrival at Bayt al-Maqdis, where he led the earlier prophets in prayer.

This account highlights the spiritual connection between Prophet Muhammad and the prophets who came before him.

It also shows that Jerusalem is connected to the shared history of divine revelation.

Did Shia Scholars Disagree About the Prophet's Journey to Jerusalem?

There is an interesting point in Shia commentary that is worth understanding.

A narration from Imam Muhammad al-Baqir describes the Prophet's journey as continuing from the Kaaba toward the heavens. Some people have used this narration to suggest that Shia Muslims do not believe the Prophet traveled to earthly Jerusalem.

However, Allama Tabatabai discusses this report in Al-Mizan and explains that it does not deny the Prophet's journey to Bayt al-Maqdis.

Rather, he understands the narration as describing the further heavenly stage of the journey.

He also clearly explains that Al-Masjid al-Aqsa in Quran 17:1 refers to Jerusalem, not a mosque in heaven.

This distinction is important because it prevents misunderstandings about the Shia interpretation of the Night Journey.

3. Jerusalem Was the First Qibla of Muslims

Another important reason for the religious significance of Jerusalem is that it was the first direction of Muslim prayer.

Today, Muslims around the world face the Kaaba in Mecca when they pray. However, this was not the original direction.

According to Islamic historical reports and Shia Quranic commentary, the Prophet Muhammad and the early Muslims initially prayed toward Bayt al-Maqdis.

Later, Allah commanded the Prophet to change the direction of prayer toward the Kaaba.

The Quran describes this change in Surah Al-Baqarah.

The Quran does not name the previous direction of prayer in this verse itself. However, Islamic narrations and commentaries identify it as Bayt al-Maqdis.

In Tafsir al-Mizan, Allama Tabatabai discusses the change of Qibla and reports from Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq about the Prophet's earlier prayers toward Bayt al-Maqdis.

This means that Jerusalem had an important role in the earliest period of Islamic worship.

Did Changing the Qibla Make Jerusalem Less Important?

No.

The change of Qibla did not mean that Jerusalem had lost its religious value.

The Kaaba became the permanent direction of Muslim prayer because Allah commanded it. However, the earlier connection between Muslims and Jerusalem remained part of Islamic history.

In other words, the change of Qibla changed the direction of prayer, not the historical and religious significance of Jerusalem.

4. What Did the Shia Imams Say About Bayt al-Maqdis?

The teachings of the Ahlul-Bayt are another important part of understanding Jerusalem's position in Shia Islam.

One notable narration comes from Imam Muhammad al-Baqir, the fifth Shia Imam.

According to a report recorded by the famous Shia scholar Shaykh al-Saduq in his book Man La Yahduruhu al-Faqih, Imam al-Baqir mentioned four important mosques.

The narration says:

The narration continues:

This narration is particularly interesting because Imam al-Baqir mentions Bayt al-Maqdis alongside three other important mosques.

It shows that Jerusalem was recognized in early Shia hadith literature as a place of religious value.

The comparison concerns spiritual reward; it does not mean that praying in these mosques replaces the actual obligation of Hajj.

It is also important to distinguish between a narration being recorded in a hadith book and a formal judgment that its chain of transmission is authentic. Such a judgment requires separate scholarly examination.

Source: Shaykh al-Saduq, Man La Yahduruhu al-Faqih, Volume 1, section on the merits and respect of mosques, narration 684.

5. Is Jerusalem More Important Than Mecca, Medina, or Karbala in Shia Islam?

This is a common question, especially among people who are learning about Shia beliefs for the first time.

The answer is no. Jerusalem does not replace the religious positions of Mecca, Medina, Najaf, or Karbala.

Each of these places has its own special importance in Shia Islam.

These places are important for different religious and historical reasons.

For Shia Muslims, respecting Jerusalem does not require placing it above Mecca or Medina.

Its importance comes from its own connection to the Quran, the Prophet, and the history of Islam.

6. Why Is Jerusalem Important to Jews as Well?

Jerusalem is not only important to Muslims. It also has a central place in Judaism and Christianity.

For Jewish people, Jerusalem is their holiest city, and the Temple Mount is the most sacred religious site in Judaism.

According to Jewish tradition and history, the First Temple and Second Temple stood on this site.

The Western Wall, also known as the Wailing Wall, is part of the retaining wall of the ancient Temple complex. It has become one of the most important places of Jewish prayer.

Jerusalem also has a special place in Jewish religious life. Jewish prayers traditionally face Jerusalem, and the city is mentioned in many religious prayers and ceremonies.

This explains why Jerusalem carries such deep religious meaning for Jewish communities around the world.

However, the religious importance of Jerusalem in Shia Islam comes from a different set of beliefs: its Quranic connection, the Prophet's Night Journey, its role as the first Qibla, and the narrations of the Ahlul-Bayt.

Understanding these different religious connections helps explain why the city matters so deeply to both communities.

7. Why Is Jerusalem Still Important to Shia Muslims Today?

Jerusalem's importance for Shia Muslims is not limited to events from the early history of Islam.

In modern times, the city has also become a major concern in the political and social thinking of many Shia communities.

One important example is International Quds Day.

In 1979, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini called on Muslims around the world to observe the last Friday of Ramadan as Quds Day.

In his message, he invited Muslims to express international solidarity in support of the rights of the Palestinian people.

His message included the following statement:

"I invite Muslims all over the globe to consecrate the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan ... as Quds Day."

— Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, Sahifeh-ye Imam, Volume 9, page 243, dated August 7, 1979

Quds Day is now observed in different countries by various Muslim communities, including many Shia communities.

It is important to understand that Quds Day is a modern political and solidarity initiative, not an obligatory religious celebration established by the Quran or an original Islamic ritual.

Shia Muslims also have different political views and do not all support the same governments, organizations, or political methods.

Nevertheless, Jerusalem and the rights of Palestinians remain important subjects in the religious and social discussions of many Shia Muslims.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Shia Muslims Believe Al-Aqsa Is in Jerusalem?

Yes. Shia scholars, including Allama Tabatabai in Tafsir al-Mizan, identify Al-Masjid al-Aqsa mentioned in Quran 17:1 with Bayt al-Maqdis in Jerusalem.

Some discussions of Shia narrations about the heavenly stages of Mi'raj have caused confusion, but Tabatabai explains that these reports do not deny the Prophet's journey to Jerusalem.

Was Jerusalem the First Qibla in Shia Islam?

Yes. According to Islamic historical reports and Shia commentary, the Prophet and early Muslims initially prayed toward Bayt al-Maqdis before Allah commanded them to face the Kaaba in Mecca.

Do Shia Muslims Consider Jerusalem a Holy City?

Yes. Jerusalem is considered a sacred place because of its connection to the Quran, the Prophet's Night Journey, the first Qibla, and narrations from the Ahlul-Bayt.

Is the Dome of the Rock the Same as Al-Aqsa Mosque?

Not exactly.

The Dome of the Rock is a separate building within the larger Al-Aqsa sanctuary in Jerusalem. The southern congregational prayer building is commonly called the Qibli Mosque or Al-Aqsa Mosque.

In broader Islamic usage, the name Al-Aqsa Mosque is also used for the entire sacred compound, which includes the Dome of the Rock, prayer areas, courtyards, and other historic structures.

Do All Shia Muslims Have the Same Political Views About Jerusalem?

No. Shia Muslims share important religious beliefs about the sacred history of Jerusalem, but they do not all have identical political views or agree on every political movement or method.

Conclusion: Why Jerusalem Has a Special Place in Shia Islam

Jerusalem is important in Shia Islam for more than one reason.

Its importance begins with the Quran, which mentions Al-Masjid al-Aqsa and describes its surroundings as blessed. It is also connected to the Prophet Muhammad's Night Journey and was the first direction of prayer for early Muslims.

The narrations of the Shia Imams further recognize the religious value of Bayt al-Maqdis. In modern times, the city has also become an important symbol of solidarity with the Palestinian people among many Shia communities.

For Shia Muslims, Jerusalem is therefore not simply an ancient city or a political symbol. It is a place connected to the Quran, the Prophet Muhammad, and the history of Islam.