مركز النجاح للدراسات الدينية
An-Najah Center for Religious Studies
There are many schools surrounding Al-Aqsa Mosque which were built by our good ancestors. It seems that they wanted to remark the importance and value of science and faith which play a vital role in defending Al-Aqsa Mosque. It is good to remember, in this context, that the first verses which were revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) were: 1.“ Read! In the Name of your Lord Who has created (all that exists).
2. He has created man from a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood).
3. Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous.
4. Who has taught (the writing) by the pen.
5. He has taught man that which he knew not.” (Al-Alaq:1-5). Forts and castles are not enough to defend people’s rights or lives. We would rather need people with strong faith and good education. It is good to draw this example of the Great Wall of China which had been crossed many times by enemies. This is an evidence that buildings alone are not enough. However, people with strong and valid faith are required more.
Ibn Shama in his book Ar-Rawdatain in the News of the Two States said that Noor Ed-Din and Salah Ed-Din built mosques and schools the same number as forts and castles. They believed that forts and castles need people of strong faith who can defend them, who can be patient and who can sacrifice their lives in the sake of Allah.
There are fifteen schools which surround Al-Aqsa Mosque: Al-Aqsa Shari’ah Secondary School, Al-Ghadria School, Islamic Riyadh Al-Aqsa, the Bastian School, the Aminiyah School, the Persian School, Royal School, Al-As’adi School, Al-Manjikiya School, the Ottoman School, Al-Ashrafiyah School, Al-Tankazi School, the Sabiya School and the Javanese School.
These schools were established during the era of Ayyubid, and they became more prosperous during the era of Mamluk. Furthermore, the Ottomans protected and guarded those schools and kept that scientific and cultural movement in Al-Aqsa Mosque. It is good to note that some of these schools are still working these days as they were in the past, whereas others have been used for other purposes such as being offices or buildings for other uses.
