{"id":21433,"date":"2024-12-24T16:28:23","date_gmt":"2024-12-24T14:28:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alhaadi.org.za\/?p=21433"},"modified":"2024-12-24T16:28:23","modified_gmt":"2024-12-24T14:28:23","slug":"the-last-guard-of-al-aqsa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alhaadi.org.za\/?p=21433","title":{"rendered":"The Last Guard of Al-Aqsa"},"content":{"rendered":"

In December 1917, when the Ottoman Army had very sadly lost the holy city of Jerusalem and the British troops entered, they wanted a small force of the Ottoman Army to remain behind in the city to prevent looting, maintain order and safety, and avoid a potential negative public reaction. In military terms, this troop is known as the rear-guard, and according to tradition, the victor of the war never treats rear-guard troops in a captured city as war captives.\u00a0Among this rear-guard troop was a soldier by the name of Corporal Hasan.<\/p>\n

Nobody had heard of Corporal Hasan until 1972 when the Turkish journalist, \u0130lhan Bardak\u00e7\u0131, accompanied Turkish officials and businessmen on a courtesy visit to Palestine. On the fourth day of their visit, the Israeli officials led them around in historical and touristic places and they finally arrived at Masjidul Aqsa. \u0130lhan explains, \u201cI felt thrilled while climbing to the top of the sacred Masjid. They call the upstairs courtyard \u201812,000 chandelier courtyard\u2019 where Sultan Selim I (one of the great Ottoman rulers) lit 12,000 candles in chandeliers. The magnificent Ottoman Army performed \u2018Esha Salaah by candlelight (in this place).\u201d<\/p>\n

At the top of the steps in the second courtyard of Masjidul Aqsa, \u0130lhan saw a man over 90 years old who drew his attention.\u00a0He was nearly two meters tall and had some old clothes upon his aging body, but was still standing bold and upright. \u0130lhan looked at his scarred face, which looked like someone had overturned some barren soil on it.<\/p>\n

\u0130lhan asked the foreign affairs official who was this person standing in the courtyard. The official replied saying: \u201cI don\u2019t know, maybe an insane man. He has always been standing here, he never asks anything from anyone and never looks at anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u0130lhan was not satisfied with that answer. Although he was initially unsure whether he should speak to him, he eventually decided to approach him. He realized that despite getting closer, the old man did not move. \u0130lhan approached the old man and greeted him with salaam to which he replied.<\/p>\n

When \u0130lhan asked him what he was doing there, the old man replied: \u201cI am Corporal Hasan from the 20th Corp, 36th Battalion, 8th Squadron heavy machine gun team.\u201d\u00a0He continued like a soldier giving a brief: \u201cOur troops raided the British on the Suez Canal front in the Great War. Our glorious army was defeated at the Canal, and thus to withdraw was necessary now. The heirloom lands of our ancestors were about to be lost one by one. And then, the Brits pressed upon the gates of Quds, and occupied the city. We were then left as rear-guard troops at Quds.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy rear-guard troop consisted of 53 privates (a certain rank in the army). We got the news that after the truce (Armistice of Mudros) the army was discharged. Our lieutenant approached us and said, \u2018My lions, our country is in an arduous situation. They are discharging our glorious army and calling me to Istanbul. I have to go. If I do not, I will be in defiance of authority; failing to obey the order. Anyone can return to the homeland if he wills, but if you follow my words, I have a request from you; Quds is an heirloom of Sultan Selim. Remain on guard duty here. Do not let the people worry about \u201cOttomans have left; what are we going to do now.\u201d\u2019 The Westerners will gloat if Ottomans left the first qiblah of our beloved Nabi (sallallahu \u2018alaihi wasallam). Do not let the honour of Islam and the glory of Ottomans be trampled on.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

He continued: \u201cOur troop stayed in Quds. And, almost suddenly the long years vanished. My brothers from the troop passed away one by one. We were not mowed down by the enemy, but by the years. Only I am left here. Just me, a corporal Hasan in the grand Quds.\u201d<\/p>\n

He then asked \u0130lhan for a favour: \u201cWhen you arrive in Anatolia, if you pass towards Tokat (a city in Turkey), please visit my commander Lieutenant Mustafa, the man who deployed me to guard Masjidul Aqsa and trusted these sacred places to me. Kiss his hands for me and tell him: \u2018Corporal Hasan from I\u011fd\u0131r Province of the 11th machine gun team still remains at Quds as you deployed him. He did not abandon his duty and wishes your blessings, commander.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

\u0130lhan agreed while holding back his tears. He grabbed Corporal Hasan\u2019s coarse hands kissing them again and again, and bade him farewell. Corporal Hasan thanked him saying he knows it is impossible to see Turkey before death arrives.<\/p>\n

When \u0130lhan returned to Turkey, he went to Tokat to honour his words and traced Corporal Hasan\u2019s commander, Lieutenant Mustafa Efendi, through military records. However, the commander had already passed away years ago. In 1982, \u0130lhan held a telegraph in his hands with the message: \u201cThe last Ottoman guardian at Masjidul Aqsa has passed away today.\u201d This would mean that he stood guard for approximately 65 years since the Ottomans had retreated from Palestine.<\/p>\n

(www.<\/em>trtworld<\/em><\/a>.com & www.<\/em>ilmfeed<\/em><\/a>.com) <\/em><\/p>\n

Lessons:<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. This great Ottoman soldier did not despair and lose hope despite the Muslims losing control over the third most sacred site of Islam. Rather, he did whatever was in his capacity and remained steadfast in protecting it. This was because he had great respect and reverence for this blessed place in his heart. This is a great lesson for us today as well. How much have we done to protect and safeguard this blessed landmark? How much of du\u2018aa do we make daily for the protection of Masjidul Aqsa? Have we abandoned those wrong actions that are delaying the help and assistance of Allah Ta\u2018ala descending upon the Muslims at large? It is imperative that we emulate this great soldier by firstly, not losing hope and becoming despondent and, secondly, by doing whatever is in our capacity to safeguard Masjidul Aqsa.<\/p>\n

2. Corporal Hasan remained firm on his post for the lengthy period of 65 years, despite all his companions \u2018falling\u2019 and him being \u2018the last man standing.\u2019 We too need to remain firm on the Deen of Allah Ta\u2018ala and the sunnah of Rasulullah (sallallahu \u2018alaihi wasallam), even though others may \u2018fall\u2019 and we may be left all alone.<\/p>\n

>>>Download Musjid Poster\u00a0Page 1<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Page 2<\/a><<<<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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