The conquests in Jerusalem
Introduction
There have been two conquests of Jerusalem; one in the time of the Rightly Guided Caliph, by Omar bin Al-Khattab, and the other by Saladin Al-Ayyoubi.
The first conquest is the Omari Conquest that was accomplished through following the plan and will of prophet Mohammed, PBUH
The second conquest was at the hands of Saladin Al-Ayyoubi, implementing the plan of Imad Al-Din Zinki, where the later died before carrying it out entirely, so his son Noor Al-Din Zinki continued with his plans, and then Saladin Al-Ayyoubi followed their steps and liberated the city.
The First Islamic Conquest of Jerusalem
After the death of prophet Mohammed, PBUH, Abu Bakr became the Caliph. He aimed at liberating Jerusalem, in fulfillment of the prophet’s will, but he was occupied with the Apostasy Wars and postponed the conquest of Jerusalem.
Abu Bakr died after he took down apostasy, and didn’t witness the preparation of the Liberation Army that Omar bin Al-Khattab launched. Omar appointed Abu Obaida as the Army Commander.
The First Siege of Jerusalem
The blockade of the city lasted for 4 months, until the Romans couldn’t take it anymore and handed the keys of the city to the Prince of the Believers Omar bin Al-Khattab. When Omar arrived in Jerusalem, he received the keys of the city from the Roman Patriarch, and he wrote the Omari Covenant.
Afterwards, he and his army cleaned Al-Aqsa Mosque and washed it, and then Muslims prayed thanking Allah for the Liberation.
The Second Islamic Conquest of Jerusalem:
Imad Al-Din Zinki prepared a plan to liberate the Levant and Egypt and unite them. The plan included mobilizing armies and preparing them to head for Jerusalem and liberate it. Yet, he died before completing the plan, and so his son Noor Al-Din continued with his plans, then Saladin Al-Ayyoubi followed their steps and liberated the City of Jerusalem and purged it of the Crusaders.
The Second Siege of Jerusalem
Saladin besieged Jerusalem and started striking the castles, fortifications, and walls, to take them down and thwart the power of the Crusaders. This made them panic and ask Saladin the conqueror for pardon and safety. At that time, Saladin made peace with them, with the proviso that they leave the city under certain conditions. Then, he entered the city and prayed in it, after having been occupied for 91 Hijri years.
It is worth mentioning that the city was liberated in the anniversary of Al-Isra’a and Al-Mi’raj Night Journey, and then they cleansed and washed Al-Aqsa Mosque, and restored what was destroyed in it.
Conclusion
The two Islamic conquests of Jerusalem are similar in preparation and adopting means to reach an end. We must learn lessons from them, and do our full duty to Al-Aqsa Mosque, so that Allah may grace us with its liberation, just like the great people who liberated it before.