Jerusalem is the third-holiest city after Mecca and Medina Muslims believe that Muhammad (s.a.w) was transported to Jerusalem during his Night Journey (Isra and Mi’raj. The Qur’an describes how the prophet was taken by the miraculous steed Buraq from the Great Mosque of Mecca to the Al-Aqsa Mosque (‘”the farthest place of prayer”) where he prayed, and then to visit heaven in a single night in the year 621.

Glory be to the One Who took His servant ˹Muḥammad (s.a.w) by night from the Sacred Mosque to the Farthest Mosque whose surroundings We have blessed, so that We may show him some of Our signs. Indeed, He alone is the All-Hearing, All-Seeing. Quran 17:1

Although the city of Jerusalem is not mentioned by any of its names in the Qur’an, it is mentioned in later Islamic literature as the place of Muhammad’s Night Journey. The story of Muhammad’s ascension from Al-Aqsa Mosque was understood as relating to the Temple in Jerusalem (referred to as Bayt Al-Maqdis). The Al-Aqsa Mosque is specified of being in Jerusalem in numerous hadith (prophetic traditions):

When the people of Quraish did not believe me (i.e., the story of my Night Journey), I stood up in Al-Hijr and Allah displayed Jerusalem in front of me, and I began describing it to them while I was looking at it. Sahih al-Bukhari 3886

The most holy spot [al-quds] on earth is Syria; the most holy spot in Syria is Palestine; the most holy spot in Palestine is Jerusalem [Bayt al-maqdis]; the most holy spot in Jerusalem is the Mountain; the most holy spot in Jerusalem is the place of worship [al-masjid], and the most holy spot in the place of worship is the Dome

The spiritual importance of Jerusalem in Islam is further emphasized due to its status as the first Qibla (direction of prayer). Islamic tradition holds that Muhammad (s.a.w) led prayers towards Jerusalem until the 16th or 17th month after his migration from Mecca to Medina,when Allah directed him to instead turn towards the Kaaba in Mecca. Another part of Jerusalem’s significance and holiness to Muslims derives from its strong association with Abraham (a.s), Dawood (a.s), Suleiman (a.s) and Isaa (a.s). They are all regarded as Prophets of Islam and their stories are mentioned in the Qur’an.