Aylah and Ilyaa` are two different cities

15-6-2009 | IslamWeb

Question:

As-salaamu 'alaykum. Please let me know whether the two cities of 'Aylah and Eeliyah mentioned in separated hadeeths regarding the dimensions of the Hawd are one and the same, and whether they both refer to Jerusalem. Thank you
Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

 

Aylah and Ilyaa‘ are two different cities. Aylah, that is mentioned in the Hadeeth of the Hawdh (Basin of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, in the hereafter). Ibn Hajar may Allaah have mercy upon him said that it was previously populous, and it lies at the end of Qulzum Sea (the Red Sea), in the farthest end of Ash-Shaam (Great Syria),  and now it is a waste land along which the pilgrims pass coming from Egypt, and it is on their left, and for the pilgrims passing from Gaza and other places, it is in front of them.

As for Ilyaa‘, it is Al-Quds (Jerusalem). It is narrated in Saheeh Muslim on the authority of Abu Hurayrah may Allaah be pleased with him that Allaah’s Messenger, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: "One should undertake journey to only three mosques: the mosque of the Ka’bah (i.e. Al-Masjid Al-Haraam), this mosque of mine (in Madeenah), and the mosque of Ilyaa’ (i.e. Al-‘Aqsa mosque in Al-Quds).'"

Allaah Knows best.

www.islamweb.net