The Virtues of Prayer at Al-Aqsa Mosque

The Al-Aqsa Mosque is a mosque mentioned by Allah in His Book. It is the first qibla, one of the three mosques to which travel is made, and the destination of the Night Journey. In this article we set out what is reported about the virtue of prayer and du'a there, with sources.

First: What is reported about the virtue of prayer at Al-Aqsa

Abdullah ibn Amr reported that when Sulayman ibn Dawud (peace be upon them) finished building Bayt al-Maqdis he asked Allah for three things, among them that no one come to this mosque desiring only to pray in it except that he leaves his sins like the day his mother bore him. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Two of them were granted to him, and I hope the third was granted too." (Nasa'i, Ibn Majah, Ahmad; graded sahih by al-Albani).

Note that the wording of the hadith is one of hope: "I hope the third was granted too."

Second: One of the three mosques to which travel is made

The Prophet ﷺ said: "Do not undertake a journey except to three mosques: Al-Masjid Al-Haram, the Mosque of the Messenger ﷺ, and Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa." (Bukhari, Muslim). This hadith shows the standing of Al-Aqsa among the mosques.

Third: The first qibla and the place of the Night Journey

Allah says: "Exalted is He who took His Servant by night from Al-Masjid Al-Haram to Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him of Our signs. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing." (Qur'an 17:1).

Al-Bara' ibn Azib (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that they prayed with the Prophet ﷺ toward Bayt al-Maqdis for sixteen or seventeen months (Bukhari, Muslim); then the Prophet ﷺ was commanded to face the Kaaba: "So turn your face toward Al-Masjid Al-Haram." (Qur'an 2:144).

On the night of the Isra the Prophet ﷺ led a group of the prophets in prayer. He said: "I saw myself among a group of the prophets ... the time of prayer came and I led them." (Sahih Muslim).

Fourth: Du'a and prayer

We do not say that an answer is guaranteed in any particular place; the answer is in Allah's hands alone, and we ask Him for acceptance. Allah has described the surroundings of Al-Aqsa as blessed (Qur'an 17:1). It is also established in the Sunnah that du'a has times in which acceptance is hoped for, among them prostration: "The closest a servant is to his Lord is when he is prostrating, so make much du'a." (Muslim).

For those who cannot reach Jerusalem, Al-Aqsa Blessings offers a personal du'a delivered as a video within 48-72 hours (how to request a du'a from Al-Aqsa). This is not a substitute for visiting, but a way to connect your heart to this place until the opportunity to visit arises.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Virtue of Prayer at Al-Aqsa

What is established about the virtue of prayer at Al-Aqsa?

What is established is the hadith of Sulayman (peace be upon him) mentioned above, and that Al-Aqsa is one of the three mosques to which travel is made (Bukhari, Muslim). We do not cite numbers that we have not found supported by a sound proof.

Is du'a answered more at Al-Aqsa than elsewhere?

We have not found a sound text that ties the answer to a particular place; the answer is in Allah's hands. And whoever cannot reach it may still make du'a anywhere: "And your Lord says, 'Call upon Me; I will respond to you.'" (Qur'an 40:60).

Can one make du'a for another person?

Yes, one may make du'a for loved ones. Al-Aqsa Blessings allows you to request a personal du'a for someone you love, raised with care.