The Holy Qur’an mentioned Palestine as the Holy Land. Land that God promised the Tribe of Israel. In the event that they comply with the order of God and His Messenger, Moses, to enter the Holy Land and fight its giants, they will be victorious and then live on their land. In contrast, they disobey Allah, so they deserved God’s punishment to be homeless for forty years. That story is mentioned in Sura Al- Maaida. “And [mention, O Muhammad], when Moses said to his people, “O my people, remember the favor of Allah upon you when He appointed among you prophets and made you possessors and gave you that which He had not given anyone among the worlds.” (Verse 20) “O my people, enter the Holy Land which Allah has assigned to you and do not turn back [from fighting in Allah ‘s cause] and [thus] become losers.” (Verse 21) They said, “O Moses, indeed within it is a people of tyrannical strength, and indeed, we will never enter it until they leave it; but if they leave it, then we will enter.” (Verse 22) “Said two men from those who feared [to disobey] upon whom Allah had bestowed favor, “Enter upon them through the gate, for when you have entered it, you will be predominant. And upon Allah rely, if you should be believers.” (Verse 23) “They said, “O Moses, indeed we will not enter it, ever, as long as they are within it; so go, you and your Lord, and fight. Indeed, we are remaining right here.” (verse 24) [Moses] said, “My Lord, indeed I do not possess except myself and my brother, so part us from the defiantly disobedient people.” (Verse 25) “[ Allah ] said, “Then indeed, it is forbidden to them for forty years [in which] they will wander throughout the land. So do not grieve over the defiantly disobedient people.” (Verse 26)
And because of the Isra’ (Night Journey) and the Mi’raj (Ascension into the Heavens) of the Prophet Mohammad, Palestine has great religious importance. “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.” (Al-Isra Sura. Verse 1). Al Aqsa mosque was the first kiblah (Direction which Moslems turn to in prayers) for eighteen months before being changed to Kabah direction. At the same time it is considered the third holly mosque after Masjid Al-Haram and Al Masjid An-Nabawi. The one prayer at Masjid al-Aqsa equals 500 prayer in any mosque except Masjid Al-Haram and Al Masjid An-Nabawi. Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, “Do not set out on a journey except for three Mosques i.e. Al-Masjid-AI-Haram, the Mosque of Allah’s Apostle, and the Mosque of Al-Aqsa, (Mosque of Jerusalem).” That was some of reasons that make Palestine and Jerusalem has great Islamic importance.
References
alwatanvoice.com فلسطين في سطور من القرآن و السنة النبوية بقلم : عدنان ورد
qaalarasulallah.com Sahih Bukhari Book: 20, Hadith: 1189
quran4all.net ترجمة سورة الإسراء
alaraby.co.uk هل وعد الله بني إسرائيل بأرض فلسطين؟