Historical and religious values and attachments to the Holy Lands of Jews, Christians and Arab Muslims - Essay Example

? Compare and analyze the historical and religious values and attachments to the “Holy Lands” of Jews, Christians and Arab Muslims. ] Abstract The paper is aimed at providing significant evidences about the religious association of Jews, Muslims and Christians with the Holy Land which was once called Palestine. The three major and most dominating religions of the world are in rivalry with each other since ages in order to capture and practice complete authority in the Holy Land. This is due to their religious beliefs and the Prophetic evidences existing in the Holy Land. Compare and analyze the historical and religious values and attachments to the “Holy Lands” of Jews, Christians and Arab Muslims. The Holy Land which was once recognized as ‘Palestine’ has a deep and distinctive association with three major religions of the world including Islam, Judaism and Christianity. Since ages the followers of these religions have maintained rivalry to occupy and practice authority over the Holy sites of Palestine. These religions have numerous similarities such as the concept of Monotheism and dissimilarities or conflicts on the basis of Prophets and their teachings which always have been a reason of dispute among them. Holy Land as the name indicates is the sacred place where Muslims, Christians and Jews go for performing religious duties and obligations. The place is blessed to witness the Prophetic events concerning Prophet Solomon, Prophet Jesus and lastly Prophet Muhammad. Presently Holy lands are under the authority of Jews however, historical records reflect that it was once in the influence of Muslims and Christians as well. There are various factors which have contributed to the rivalry and desire of conquering the Holy lands. Some of them are discussed below: The respective Prophets of all the three religions have travelled to the Holy Lands which have increased the significance of the land for their followers. Due to the travelling of Prophets, the Holy Land has important historical remains which are highly acknowledged by Muslims, Christians and Jews. There are famous temples and mosques in Palestine which are considered as divine among these religions. Christians, Muslims and Jews want to have complete control over these historical and religious sites as they consider them a significant way to success in this world. Christians Christians are the followers of Prophet Jesus. Since the time of Prophet Jesus till now they are claiming authority over the Holy Land as most of the life of Prophet Jesus was spent there. Christians recognize Palestine as their Prophet’s Land and therefore they have been struggling hard to get the hold of the Holy Land so that they can implement their religious teachings there. Most of the events in the life of Prophet Jesus which took place in the Holy land are mentioned in New Testament which reflects the close association of Christians with Palestine1. Christians believe that Prophet Jesus was crucified in the Holy land therefore they have built an extraordinary monument at the place where it all happened. The special monument is known as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Since ages Christians have been traveling to the Holy land for performing several religious practices and rituals2. Christians want to establish their rule over the Holy Land in order to smooth the pathway for pilgrimages and also to take over the place which initially belonged to their Prophet. An exchange of powers is seen among the followers of the three religions when it comes to practice authority over the Holy Land. Presently it is under the control of Jews and previously it was under the influence of British who separated the area into two divisions; one was for Muslims and other was to be built as a Zionist State3. It has been a great time that Christians did not get its possession although they regard it as the most prestigious place for themselves. This has induced a much intense desire among them to get complete control over the matters of the Holy Land. This could also be regarded as the reason for their active participation in the divine struggle. Muslims Islam is the religion which maintains its foundation primarily in three significant components. Firstly the Holy Quran; which was revealed on Prophet Muhammad, secondly the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad which is the way of practicing Islam and lastly His teachings in the written i.e. the Hadiths4. Muslims have always praised and acknowledged the Holy Lands because they believe that Prophet Muhammad was taken up to the Heaven from Jerusalem. In fact the actual spot which they believe that the event took place had been built into a mosque which is named as the Dome of the Rock. Soon after the death of the Prophet of Islam in 632, Muslims captured the Holy land in 638. During the Muslim rule in the Jerusalem Christians were allowed to carry their religious rituals and practices. This was the time when Arabs were ruling the Holy land but by the eleventh century Turks took control over the place. These Turkish Muslims were somewhat insecure by the Christians and tried to stop their entrance into the Holy land5. Since then the conflict between the followers of the two religions i.e. Islam and Christianity is going on, when one of the major powers get the ruling authority of Palestine they try to sustain it for as much longer as they can and in order to do so they stop the entrance of opponents in to the territory. Jews had conquered the Holy Land from Muslims in the past who were ruling there for hundreds of years. Ever since the authority of Holy Land is given in to the hands of Jews by the British they have treated the local Muslims especially those living in present day Palestine with great brutality. The whole world has shared their sympathy with the innocent people of Palestine6. Jews The Holy Land is actually the ‘promised’ land for Jews which was once ruled by Prophet Solomon. They consider it as the land of God which HE has decided to share with HIS most favorable and obedient people. Israel; the current name of the Holy Land was actually in the possession of Prophet Abraham’s descendents and the historic events related to the Holy land are described in the Book of Joshua. Details are also present in the Holy Book of Torah. The Holy Land has such deep association with the religious scriptures and natural law that Jews firmly believe that it cannot function without the interference of the natural law. Keeping this in consideration the boundaries of Holy land were drawn particularly for only one purpose and that was the observance of the Law. It is hard to tell when this task was initiated but it is quite certain that it started somewhere in the rabbinic times7. The Land and the Law has years old connection which is so strong that it is significantly difficult to challenge it. The complete observance of the Law was only possible within the boundaries of Israel which convinced the Jews to return towards the Holy Land. Jews considered it as their obligation to return to the Land which was promised to be theirs as time moved on Jews realized their obligation and return back to the Holy land in order to attain the spiritual nostalgia and desire to establish strict rule on the basis of the religious Laws. This Law gave rise to the spiritual Zionism. The term Zionism is derived from another word Zion which is the name of a Temple in Jerusalem. This Temple is recognized as a highly significant spiritual place where many Jews from all around the world come and embrace it since many centuries. This Temple and practices related to it have ultimately led to the establishment of Political wing of Zionism, which is the present day spiritual and nationalistic counterpart of Zion8. Jews are the followers of the descendents of Prophet Isaac; who was the son of Prophet Abraham and Sarah. The complete account from the birth of Prophet Isaac to the departure of another wife of Prophet Abraham; Hagar and her son Ishmael is present in Genesis. Prophet Abraham was promised the Holy Land from His Lord and as per this promise the Jews have always maintained very close association with the Land and have considered it to be their homeland. Because of the blood lineage with Prophet Abraham and Prophet Isaac and all the other Prophets who followed them; Jews consider themselves as the most reputable and prestigious nation who have high regard in front of God; Who has always extended numerous favors towards them. This is yet another reason which compelled Jews to return back to the Holy Land and establish the religious Law there9. Conclusion In the recent times Holy Land is going through a severe imbalance between political and religious hold, much debate is going on how to separate the two variables from one another10. Religious forces of Jews, Christians and Muslims want their hold over the highly regarded Holy site whereas the world political systems want to put an end to the ongoing wars and mass killing between followers of the three religions. All three religions have significant reasons for their desire to control the religious and political affairs of the Holy Land. There are important historical places including temples and mosques belonging to Judaism, Christianity and Islam. However, the present condition of the Holy Land is calling for an immediate action so as to stop the mass killing of innocent Palestine people and also to smooth the passage for religious pilgrimages of Muslims and Christians. References Hancock, L. (2003). Saladin and the Kingdom of Jerusalem: The Muslims Recapture the Holy Land in Ad 1187. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group. James L. Heft, R. F. (2011). Learned Ignorance:Intellectual Humility among Jews, Christians and Muslims: Intellectual Humility among Jews, Christians and Muslims. New York: Oxford University Press. Liepert, D. (2010). Muslim, Christian, and Jew: Finding a Path to Peace Our Faiths Can Share. Toronto: Faith of Life Publishing. Mansour, A. (2004). Narrow Gate Churches: The Christian Presence in the Holy Land Under Muslim and Jewish Rule. USA: Hope Publishing House. Peters, F. E. (2005). The Monotheists: Jews, Christians, and Muslims in Conflict and Competition. New Jersey: Princeton University Press. Read More