Annexation of Jerusalem (Hazrat Musleh Mau’d’s (ra) Narration)

Regarding this, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) states:

“In Jerusalem, there is a mosque, which is as sacred for the Jews as the Holy Ka‘bah is for us. In the time of the [early] Muslims when Jerusalem was conquered, the Christians wished for Hazrat Umar (ra) to pray inside the sacred site. Hazrat Umar (ra) said, ‘I fear that if I offer prayers inside, then Muslims will take over it as their own place of worship,’ and thus Hazrat Umar (ra) offered prayers outside.”

(Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 11, p. 437, Friday Sermon 27 July 1928, Dalhousie)

In another instance, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) writes:

“Palestine was conquered during the era of Hazrat Umar (ra). When Hazrat Umar (ra) went to Jerusalem, the priests came outside to hand over the keys of the city and said, ‘You are now our sovereign, offer prayers in our place of worship, which is sacred to both you and us, so that you can be content that you have offered prayers in our holy site.’ Hazrat Umar (ra) replied, ‘I cannot offer prayers inside your place of worship as I am their Caliph. Tomorrow the Muslims will snatch this away, claiming it to be their sacred site. Therefore, I will offer prayers outside, so that your mosque is not taken away from you.’”

(Tafsir-e-Kabir, Vol. 5, p. 573)