Disclaimer:This article is not intended to attack or promote any religion. It is not meant to insult or defame anyone. Its purpose is to provide sound, biblical education and present a Christian perspective on what we believe compared to what others believe.
The Al-Aqsa Mosque is located in Jerusalem, within the modern nation of Israel. According to Islamic tradition, it is regarded as the third holiest site in Islam:
Mecca (Makkah) – the birthplace of Muhammad,
Medina (Al-Masjid an-Nabawi) – site of Muhammad’s tomb,
Jerusalem (Al-Aqsa Mosque).
It is situated adjacent to the Dome of the Rock, another iconic Islamic structure.
Islamic tradition teaches that Muhammad ascended to heaven from the Al-Aqsa Mosque in a night journey known as Isra and Mi’raj. However, the earliest historical evidence of the mosque being constructed appears in the late 7th century A.D., under the Umayyad Caliph Abd al-Malik.
In contrast, the biblical significance of this location predates Islam by over a thousand years. According to the Bible, this is the site of:
Mount Moriah, where Abraham was willing to sacrifice Isaac (Genesis 22:2),
The First Temple, built by Solomon (2 Chronicles 3:1),
The Second Temple, rebuilt after the Babylonian exile (Ezra 6:15),
The place where Jesus taught and overturned the tables of money changers (Luke 19:45–46).
The Arabic term Qibla means “direction”—the orientation Muslims face during prayer. Historically, the first Qibla was Jerusalem, but was later changed to Mecca (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:144, Qur’an).
In contrast, the Bible teaches that God does not require a specific geographic direction for worship. Jesus said:
“A time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem… God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”— John 4:21–24 (NIV)
The Bible teaches that the Jewish Temple once stood on Mount Moriah—the same area where the Al-Aqsa Mosque now stands.
“Then Solomon began to build the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the Lord had appeared to his father David.”— 2 Chronicles 3:1 (NIV)
That Temple was destroyed twice:
By the Babylonians in 586 B.C. (2 Kings 25:9),
And later by the Romans in 70 A.D., as Jesus Himself foretold:
“Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”— Matthew 24:2 (NIV)
Following the second destruction, the Jewish people were dispersed, fulfilling prophecy:
“I will scatter you among the nations and draw out my sword and pursue you.”— Leviticus 26:33 (NIV)
During this dispersion, the region fell into Arab-Muslim control, and eventually the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the Rock were built on the Temple Mount.
The judgment of exile was never permanent. God promised to gather His people again:
“I will bring my people Israel back from exile… They will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them.”— Amos 9:14 (NIV)
This began to be fulfilled in 1948, when the modern state of Israel was re-established.
But prophecy goes further—Scripture indicates that a Third Temple will be built.
In Ezekiel 40–48, a detailed vision is given of a future Temple far grander than the previous ones. This Temple has not yet been built. Orthodox Jews today are actively preparing for this event—collecting materials, training priests, and reconstructing Temple instruments.
For the Third Temple to be built on Mount Moriah, the current Islamic structures—including the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the Rock—must be removed. This may happen:
Peacefully, through negotiations or agreement,
Forcefully, through conflict or natural events,
Or supernaturally, by divine intervention.
Regardless of how, the Bible declares it will happen.
“The glory of the Lord entered the temple through the gate facing east… and the glory of the Lord filled the temple.”— Ezekiel 43:4–5 (NIV)
And the New Testament warns that before Christ returns, a man of lawlessness (Antichrist) will enter the temple and declare himself to be God:
“He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.”— 2 Thessalonians 2:4 (NIV)
This requires a literal Temple in Jerusalem—meaning the current Islamic structures cannot remain.
Islam teaches that Muhammad ascended to heaven during the Isra and Mi’raj. However, the Bible only affirms three individuals who were taken up to heaven:
Enoch – “…then he was no more, because God took him away.” — Genesis 5:24 (NIV)
Elijah – “…Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.” — 2 Kings 2:11 (NIV)
Jesus Christ – “He was taken up before their very eyes…” — Acts 1:9 (NIV)
The Qur’an does not confirm the crucifixion or divinity of Christ, yet the Bible clearly states:
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”— Acts 4:12 (NIV)
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”— John 14:6 (NIV)
Therefore, from a biblical perspective, Muhammad did not ascend, and the Qur’an is not divinely inspired Scripture, as it denies the core truth of salvation through Christ.
No. The Bible is clear:
“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”— Romans 3:23 (NIV)
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”— Ephesians 2:8–9 (NIV)
A person may live morally or even religiously, but without faith in Christ, salvation is not possible.
“Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already…”— John 3:18 (NIV)
Future articles will explore:
The Qibla in animal slaughter,
The Kaaba and its significance,
Whether Christians can eat halal food,
And a deeper examination of Islamic teachings vs. the Gospel of Christ.
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”— Matthew 24:35 (NIV)
The Bible stands as the eternal truth of God. Christ is the true Temple, and only in Him is eternal life found.
“Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.”— 1 John 5:12 (NIV)
If you’ve read this and feel the Holy Spirit stirring your heart, don’t wait.
“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”— Romans 10:9 (NIV)
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