Hadith Text & Context

"Mounts are not saddled for except to (travel to) three Masjids: Al-Masjid Al-Haram, this Masjid of mine, and Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa." (Sunan an-Nasa'i 700)

This profound narration from The Book of the Masjids in Sunan an-Nasa'i establishes the unique spiritual status of three specific mosques in Islam, indicating that special journeys should only be undertaken to these sacred spaces.

Scholarly Commentary

The phrase "mounts are not saddled" signifies that one should not undertake lengthy, arduous journeys specifically for prayer except to these three mosques. This does not prohibit visiting other mosques locally, but emphasizes the exceptional merit of traveling long distances solely for these three.

Al-Masjid Al-Haram (in Makkah) holds primacy as the first house of worship established for mankind. "This Masjid of mine" refers to the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah, blessed by his presence and burial. Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa (in Jerusalem) was the first qibla and site of the Prophet's Night Journey.

Scholars explain that prayers in these mosques carry multiplied rewards - 100,000 prayers in Al-Masjid Al-Haram, 1,000 prayers in the Prophet's Mosque, and 500 prayers in Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa - making them worthy of special travel.

Legal & Spiritual Implications

This hadith does not prohibit visiting other righteous places or mosques, but rather discourages making distant journeys specifically for prayer to mosques other than these three, as this could lead to neglect of local mosques and unnecessary hardship.

The ruling applies to traveling solely for prayer and worship. Travel for knowledge, visiting family, or business that includes visiting these mosques remains permissible and praiseworthy.

This teaching preserves the unique status of these three mosques while encouraging community worship in local mosques, maintaining balance in religious practice.