2024.11.29 (1446.05.26)
Palestine in the Islamic Perspective:
Palestine holds immense significance in the faith and belief system of Muslims worldwide, as elaborated extensively in the Quran and Sunnah.
The Quran describes Palestine as a holy land, a blessed land, and a land filled with divine grace, clearly establishing its sanctity and spiritual importance:
● “O my people! Enter the holy land which Allah has ordained for you.” (Al-Ma’idah: 21)
● “And We caused the oppressed people to inherit the eastern and western parts of the land, which We had blessed.” (Al-A’raf: 137)
● “Glorified is He Who took His servant (Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him) for a journey by night from Al-Masjid Al-Haram to Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed.” (Al-Isra: 1)
● “And We saved him and Lot to the land which We have blessed for the worlds.” (Al-Anbiya: 71)
The First Qibla:
During the early days of Islam, Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem served as the first Qibla (direction of prayer) for Muslims. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his companions prayed facing this direction for approximately 16 months.
The Land of Isra and Mi’raj:
The journey of Isra and Mi’raj, a pivotal event in Islam, emphasizes Palestine’s importance. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) traveled from Makkah to Bayt Al-Maqdis (Jerusalem) during Isra and ascended to the heavens (Mi’raj) from there. Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa was the connecting point for these miraculous events.
The Third Holiest Site:
In Islam, Makkah, Madinah, and Palestine are considered the three most sacred lands. Allah has sanctified these places through the Kaaba, the Prophet’s Mosque, and Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa, respectively.
Multiplied Rewards for Prayers:
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stated that praying in Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa earns 1,000 times more rewards than prayers performed in other mosques.
Land of Prophethood and Blessings:
This region, historically referred to as Sham, includes present-day Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, and the Sinai Peninsula. Numerous prophets, including Ibrahim, Lot, David, Solomon, Moses, Zakariya, Yahya, Yusuf, and Isa (peace be upon them all), have significant historical ties to this land.
The Land Where Prophet Isa (peace be upon him) Will Descend:
Islamic tradition foretells that Prophet Isa (peace be upon him) will descend upon this land to defeat Dajjal as the Day of Judgment approaches.
Countries and Organizations Advocating for Palestine’s Protection:
● On December 15, 1988, UN General Assembly Resolution 43/177 endorsed the Palestinian Declaration of Independence announced in November 1988. By the end of 1988, the Palestinian state, including the West Bank (with East Jerusalem) and Gaza Strip, had been recognized by 78 countries.
● As of June 2024, 146 out of 193 UN member states, or over 75% of all UN members, recognize Palestine as a sovereign state. Among the G20 nations, nine countries—Argentina, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey—along with Spain (a permanent invitee), also recognize Palestine as a state.
● On October 14, 1974, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) was recognized by the UN General Assembly as the representative of the Palestinian people. On November 29, 2012, UN General Assembly Resolution 67/19 granted Palestine non-member observer state status. Subsequently, on December 17, 2012, UN protocol chairman Yeocheol Yoon declared that the term “State of Palestine” would be used in all official UN documents.
● On May 10, 2024, UN General Assembly Resolution ES-10/23 provided Palestine with additional rights at the UN, including the ability to participate in discussions, propose initiatives, and join committees alongside member states.
Humanity and Religions:
In a time when humanity seems to be fading, reviving it is a moral duty for all who cherish religious principles and international ideals. All major world religions have profoundly addressed the importance of compassion and humanity.
Buddhism emphasizes love, compassion, harmony, and patience, with loving-kindness being paramount. Similarly, Hinduism teaches that love is divine, as expressed by Saint Thirumoolar: “When you show love to others, God will show love to you.” Religious texts like the Ramayana and Mahabharata also advocate against fighting at night and harming women and children during wars.
Jesus Christ exemplified wisdom, love, compassion, and friendship, living as a paragon of humanity. Islam strongly emphasizes humanity, considering acts of kindness and helping others as acts of faith.
All religions—Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam—teach love, compassion, and selflessness. They advocate for transcending barriers of race, language, and class to create a world of peace and humanity. People of all faiths with a sense of compassion and humanity will undoubtedly empathize with the suffering of Palestinians.
Since 1948, over 134,000 people have been killed in Lebanon and Palestine, with countless injured, including innocent civilians, women, children, the elderly, and the sick.
Palestine-Sri Lanka Relations:
Palestine-Sri Lanka relations refer to the bilateral ties between the State of Palestine and Sri Lanka. Historically, the two nations have enjoyed a strong friendship. The relationship officially began in 1975 when the PLO opened an embassy in Colombo. After the Palestinian Declaration of Independence on November 15, 1988, Sri Lanka and the Maldives were among the first nations to recognize Palestine. Sri Lanka has consistently supported Palestine in the United Nations, voting for every resolution aimed at resolving the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Currently, Hon. Bimal Rathnayake, the Minister of Highways and Leader of the House in Parliament, serves as the head of the Sri Lanka-Palestine Solidarity Movement, showcasing Sri Lanka’s steadfast diplomatic support for Palestine on the international stage.
The Role of Sri Lankan Muslims:
As organizations like the Sri Lanka-Palestine Friendship Association, intellectuals, writers, and journalists voice their concerns against the atrocities faced by Palestinians, Sri Lankan Muslims also have significant responsibilities.
The Palestinian issue is a matter of concern for all Muslims, as attacking Palestine, an Arab Islamic nation, equates to targeting the broader Muslim community. The atrocities faced by Palestinians, especially in Gaza, are deemed crimes against humanity by the International Court of Justice. Attacks on civilians, mosques, hospitals, schools, and homes violate international laws and human rights.
Helping the oppressed or standing against injustice is a hallmark of faith. We must firmly believe that ultimate victory will come from Allah to those who suffer, as it is His promise.
We will continue to pray, advocate, engage in diplomatic efforts, and participate in every possible endeavor to support Palestine.
“Indeed, the help of Allah is near.” (Al-Baqarah: 214)
Research and Publication Division
All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama
