The Sunnah indicated that the prophet (pbuh) had urged some of his companions to live in Bait al-Maqdis to be near to al-Aqsa Mosque and to receive the blessing of the prayers there. Among those companions, Shaddad ibn Aws and Thi al-Asabi (or: al-Khuzai) (ra).
Shaddad ibn Aws also spent the rest of his life residing close to al-Aqsa mosque in Bait al-Maqdis, as foretold by Prophet (pbuh). Shaddad used to complain to the Prophet that “The earth is closing in on me.” Prophet (pbuh) said, “Don’t worry. Sham will be conquered and Bait al-Maqdis will be conquered and you and your sons will be Imams there, if Allah will.”[1] Indeed, Shaddad lived in Bait al-Maqdis and al-Aqsa as an imam until he passed away, leaving behind a considerable number of progenies there.
Shaddad ibn Aws also spend the rest of his life residing close to Al-Aqsa mosque in Bait al-Maqdis, as foretold by Prophet (pbuh). Shaddad used to complain to the Prophet that “The earth is closing in on me.” Prophet (pbuh) said, “Don’t worry. Sham will be conquered and Bait al-Maqdis will be conquered and you and your sons will be Imams there, if Allah will.”[2] Indeed, Shaddad lived in Bait al-Maqdis and al-Aqsa as an imam until he passed away, leaving behind a considerable number of progenies there.
Shaddad was not the only companion who was encouraged by the Prophet to live in Bait al-Maqdis. For instance, the companion Thi al-Asabi was inspired by the Prophet’s words and moved to live near to al-Aqsa. He said “I asked the Prophet (pbuh), “O Messenger of Allah, if we were to stay somewhere after you, were do you command us?” The Prophet said, “Stay in Bait al-Maqdis so that if you have progenies, they’d go to the mosque”[3]
In addition, there were many other companions who were attached to al-Aqsa with their hearts and souls: Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah, Safiyya bint Huyayy, Muaz bin Jabal, Bilal ibn Rabah, Ayad bin Ghanam, Abdullah bin Omar, Khalid ibn al-Walid, Abu Dzarr al-Ghiffari, Abu al-Darda ‘Uwaymar, Ubadda ibn al-Samit, Salman al-Farisi, Abu Masud al-Ansari, Tamim al-Dari, Amr ibn al-Aas, Abdullah bin Salam, Saeed bin Zaid, Abu Huraira, Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-Aas, Muawiya ibn Abi Sufyan, Auf bin Malik and Abu Jumaa al-Ansari (May Allah bless them all).
[1] Narrated by Al-Tabarani
[2] Narrated by Al-Tabarani
[3] Narrated by Imam Ahmad
