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Middle-East tour

A & R Chohan (2008)


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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) 2


Jordan

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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.
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Place of Mu’ta

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. 5
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.

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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
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for positioning while they carved into the rock.
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.

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Syria

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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.

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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.

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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).

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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.

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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.

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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 15
recognised him to be the one that was foretold in the
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.
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Palestine

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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 18
known as Haram Sharief.
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.
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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.
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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.).
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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 Solomon’s stables. 22
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. 23
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.
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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. 25
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.

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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. 27
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. 28
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 29
the others area for 10 days in a year.
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.

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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.
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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.

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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.

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A & R Chohan (2008)

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