The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem is the holiest place for Christians as its where they believe Isa (as) [Jesus] was crucified

This is rejected by Muslims who believe Isa (as) didn't die but was taken up to the heavens & will return towards the end of time
(cont'd)

Allah (ﷻ) tells us in the Quran in Surah Nisa: “That they said (in boast), ‘We killed Isa, son of Mary, The Messenger of Allah; But they killed him not, nor crucified him. Only a likeness of that was shown to them...

...And those who differ therein are full of doubts, with no knowledge, but only conjecture to follow, for a surety they killed him not. Nay, Allah raised him unto Himself, and Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise.” [4:157-158]

(cont'd)

Muslims peacefully took control over the city of Jerusalem from the Byzantines in February 638 CE.

Caliph Umar (ra) accepted the city’s surrender from Sophronius, the Patriarch of Jerusalem. He was shown around the church during which the time for salah (prayer) occurred.

The Patriarch offered a place for him to pray in the church and laid out a straw mat but Umar (ra) refused, explaining to the Patriarch, “Had I prayed inside the church, the Muslims coming after me would take possession of it, saying that I had prayed in it.”

Tradition has it that he picked up a stone, threw it outside and prayed at the spot it landed.

The present Mosque of Umar was built over this place by Salahuddin Ayyubi’s son Afdhal Ali in 1193 CE. It is directly opposite the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

The Holy Sepulchre church is owned by six different Christian denominations.

There are regular, and sometimes violent skirmishes as each vies to maintain their territory within the church.

None of the denominations own the main entrance. In 1192, Salahuddin Ayyubi gave responsibility for it to 2 Muslim families.

The Joudeh were entrusted with the key, and the Nusseibeh maintained their responsibility of opening the door.

This arrangement has persisted as no Christian sect will trust the others with the key.

Every morning and evening 2 armed Israeli soldiers accompany a member of the Joudeh family, who brings the door’s key to a member of the Nusseibeh family, who unlocks or locks the door.

So for hundreds of years the holiest site in Christianity has been opened and closed by Muslims. It’s one of the many fascinating facts of the city of Jerusalem.

Learn more about the historic places in Jerusalem from a Muslim perspective on our website: https://bit.ly/3efBeHI