The Three Sacred Mosques

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Do not set out on a journey except for three mosques: The Sacred Mosque (of Makkah), this mosque of mine (in Madinah), and Al-Aqsa Mosque (in Jerusalem)." (Sunan Abi Dawud 2033)

Scholarly Commentary

Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani explains that these three mosques are distinguished above all others because they were established by prophets: Makkah by Ibrahim, Madinah by Muhammad (peace be upon them), and Jerusalem by Sulayman and earlier prophets.

Imam al-Nawawi states that the special merit of these mosques lies in the multiplied reward for prayer therein, with the Sacred Mosque having 100,000 times the reward, the Prophet's Mosque 1,000 times, and Al-Aqsa Mosque 500 times the reward of prayers elsewhere.

Scholars emphasize that this hadith establishes the unique status of these three sites while prohibiting the practice of traveling specifically to visit other mosques seeking spiritual merit, as this could lead to innovation in religion.

Historical Significance

Al-Aqsa Mosque holds the distinction of being the first qibla (direction of prayer) for Muslims and the site of the Prophet's Night Journey (Isra' and Mi'raj). The Sacred Mosque contains the Ka'bah, the ancient house built by Prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismail. The Prophet's Mosque in Madinah became the center of the first Islamic state and contains the Prophet's tomb.