Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Masjid-e-Khalil – Jewish side

This is a view from the Jewish side. Previously,
the area was open to the sky but has now been
covered and is used as a synagogue. The green
door leads to the tombs of Yaqoob (upon him be
peace) and Lia [Leah], who was one of his wives.
Yaqoob (upon him be peace) is mentioned by
name 16 times in the Quran.
Yaqoob (upon him be peace) was the son of
Ishaq (upon him be peace) and his wife
Rifaqah [Rebekah] and was born in Palestine.
He passed his life exactly in the footsteps of
his father and grandfather.
Yaqoob (upon him be peace) had four wives
and twelve sons who became the progenitors
of the twelve tribes of Israel. Seven of his sons
were from his wife Lia who is buried next to
him. The Prophet Yusuf (upon him be peace)
and Benjamin were from Rahil [Rachel].
After Yusuf (upon him be peace) became the
custodian of the storehouses in Egypt, Yaqoob
(upon him be peace), along with the whole
family proceeded towards Egypt on the
invitation of his son and settled there. He died
at the age of 140 years and was brought back
and buried in Hebron (al-Khalil) according to
his will.
When the Prophet Yaqoob (upon him be peace)
was on the point of death, be called his sons
and held conversation with them. It is
mentioned in the following verses of the Quran
in Surah al-Baqarah: “The same did Ebrahim
enjoin upon his sons, and also Yaqoob
(saying): O’ my sons! Lo! Allah has chosen for
you the true religion, therefore die not save as
men who have surrendered (unto Him) or were
you present when death came to Yaqoob when
he said to his –sons: What will you worship
after me? They said: We shall worship your
God, God of your fathers Ebrahim, Ismail and
Ishaq, One God and unto Him We have
surrendered.“ [2: 132, 133]

References: Atlas of the Quran – Dr. Shauqi Abu
Khalili, Stories of the Prophets – Ibn Kathir,
Islam101.com

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