The history of Palestine holds profound significance in the Islamic world, as it is home to some of Islam's holiest sites and has played a central role in Islamic history for over a millennium. The Muslim connection to Palestine began in the 7th century and has continued through a series of Islamic empires, the Crusades, the Ottoman era, and into the modern-day conflict.
1. Early Islamic Conquest (7th Century CE)
- Islamic Expansion: The Muslim connection to Palestine began shortly after the death of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in 632 CE. Under the leadership of the Rashidun Caliphate, Muslim armies, commanded by generals like Khalid ibn al-Walid and Amr ibn al-As, expanded into the Levant, including Palestine.
- Battle of Yarmouk (636 CE): This decisive battle between the Byzantine Empire and the Muslim forces opened the doors for the Muslim conquest of Palestine. The Muslim victory led to the peaceful surrender of Jerusalem to the Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab in 637 CE.
- Caliph Umar's Entry to Jerusalem: When Caliph Umar entered Jerusalem, he was invited by the Christian Patriarch Sophronius. Umar's respectful treatment of the city's Christian population is well remembered. He refused to pray inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to prevent its conversion into a mosque by his followers, instead praying outside. He then ordered the construction of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, establishing the foundation of Islamic worship in the city.
2. Umayyad and Abbasid Periods (661 - 969 CE)
- Umayyad Caliphate (661-750 CE): The Umayyad rulers, based in Damascus, made significant contributions to Palestine. The Umayyad Caliph Abd al-Malik built the Dome of the Rock in 691 CE on the Temple Mount (Haram al-Sharif). This site is believed to be where Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) ascended to the heavens during the Isra Mi'raj (Night Journey), making it the third holiest site in Islam after Mecca and Medina.
- Abbasid Caliphate (750-969 CE): Under Abbasid rule, Jerusalem and Palestine continued to be significant religious and cultural centers. However, as the Abbasid capital was in Baghdad, Palestine saw reduced political importance but remained a key part of the Islamic world, attracting scholars, pilgrims, and traders.
3. The Fatimid and Seljuk Periods (10th - 12th Century CE)
- Fatimid Rule (969-1073 CE): The Fatimid Caliphate, based in Egypt, took control of Palestine. The period saw religious tolerance, and Jerusalem remained a place of pilgrimage for Muslims, Christians, and Jews.
- Seljuk Turks: The Seljuk Turks took control of Palestine from the Fatimids in the late 11th century. Their control was brief but notable for the increased hostility towards Christian pilgrims, which partly led to the launch of the First Crusade.
4. Crusader Period and Muslim Recapture (1099 - 1291 CE)
- First Crusade (1099 CE): The Crusaders captured Jerusalem in 1099, establishing the Kingdom of Jerusalem. The conquest was brutal, with mass killings of the Muslim and Jewish inhabitants.
- Salah ad-Din al-Ayyubi (Saladin): In 1187, the Muslim military leader Saladin, founder of the Ayyubid dynasty, recaptured Jerusalem after the decisive Battle of Hattin. Saladin's recapture of Jerusalem is remembered for his magnanimity; he allowed Christians to leave peacefully and restored Islamic religious sites.
- Mamluk Control (1250-1517 CE): The Mamluks, a powerful military caste that took over Egypt, expelled the remaining Crusaders and reasserted Muslim control over Palestine. They renovated the Haram al-Sharif and strengthened Jerusalem's status as a center of Islamic learning and culture.
5. Ottoman Rule (1517 - 1917 CE)
- Integration into the Ottoman Empire: In 1517, the Ottoman Sultan Selim I conquered Palestine. For the next 400 years, Palestine was part of the Ottoman Empire. The Ottomans administered the region through local governors and invested in infrastructure, including the restoration of the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque.
- Cultural Flourishing: The Ottomans maintained Palestine's status as a key religious center. Muslim scholars and pilgrims from across the Islamic world visited Jerusalem, which became a hub for Islamic jurisprudence and Sufism.
6. The British Mandate and the Beginning of Modern Conflict (1917 - 1948)
- End of Ottoman Rule: During World War I, the British captured Palestine from the Ottomans. The League of Nations granted Britain a mandate over Palestine in 1920. The British era saw increasing Jewish immigration fueled by the Zionist movement, leading to tensions with the local Arab Muslim population.
- Balfour Declaration (1917): The British government issued the Balfour Declaration, supporting the establishment of a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine, without clear regard for the political rights of the Muslim and Christian inhabitants.
- Growing Tensions: The Muslim population, seeing the increasing Jewish settlement as a threat to their land and way of life, began organizing resistance. Palestinian Arabs held protests, strikes, and revolts, particularly in 1929 and during the Arab Revolt of 1936-1939.
7. Post-1948: The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
- Nakba (1948): The establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 led to the displacement of around 750,000 Palestinian Muslims, an event known as the Nakba ("Catastrophe"). Many Palestinians fled to neighboring countries or were relocated to refugee camps in Gaza, the West Bank, and Jordan.
- 1967 Six-Day War: Israel captured the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza Strip in 1967, placing many key Islamic holy sites under Israeli control. The loss of these lands was a significant blow to the Muslim world.
- Al-Aqsa Intifada (2000-2005): The Second Intifada, also known as the Al-Aqsa Intifada, was sparked by a visit by Israeli politician Ariel Sharon to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, seen as a provocation by the Muslim community. It was a period of intense violence and reflected the deep frustrations of the Palestinian Muslim population under occupation.
8. Modern Developments and the Struggle for Sovereignty
- Palestinian Authority and Hamas: In the 1990s, the Oslo Accords led to the creation of the Palestinian Authority, which took limited control over parts of the West Bank and Gaza. However, political divisions, especially between the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority and the Hamas-led Gaza Strip, have complicated governance.
- Jerusalem's Status: The city remains a focal point of tension. The Haram al-Sharif (Temple Mount), where the Al-Aqsa Mosque is located, is a flashpoint for Israeli-Palestinian violence, with access to the site being a recurring issue.
- Global Muslim Solidarity: For Muslims worldwide, the plight of Palestinians and the status of Jerusalem are central issues. The city is not only of religious significance but also a symbol of resistance against colonialism and occupation.
Conclusion
Palestine's history as seen through the Muslim lens is one of profound spiritual significance, political struggle, and resilience. From the early days of Islamic expansion to the modern conflict, Palestine remains a pivotal issue in the Muslim world. It is seen not only as a land with deep religious ties but also as a cause for justice and self-determination for the Palestinian Muslim people. The hope for a peaceful resolution remains central to many in the Muslim world, who seek an end to occupation and the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
