Why The Al Aqsa Mosque Is Important In Islam

The Al Aqsa Mosque is the third most holy site in Islam after Makkah and Madinah in Saudi Arabia. The very first Muslims used to turn towards Jerusalem when they prayed. This was their Qiblah. However, an extremely important event was to change that radically. The Prophet Muhammad (saw) is believed to have made a very special Night Journey known as Al Isra Wal Miraj. He then ascended into heaven and returned with some important new rules about worship. From that day on the Muslims' new Qiblah was no longer to be Jerusalem but the Sacred Kabah In Makkah itself. A new regime of five daily prayers was set out and, salat is the second Pillar Of Islam.