Maqam of Prophet Yusha (عليه السلام), Jordan

Maqam of Prophet Yusha (عليه السلام)

This is the maqam/shrine of Prophet Yusha (عليه السلام), a Prophet who was very close to Prophet Musa (عليه السلام) and took his place as the leader of the Bani Israil after his death. He is known as Joshua in the Bible.

Yusha (عليه السلام) was the great grandson of Prophet Yusuf (عليه السلام), his full name being Yusha bin Nun bin Afraeem bin Yusuf. Although he is not mentioned by name in the Holy Quran there are references made to him in two places.

After the Bani Israil fled bondage in Egypt and wandered the desert for 40 years Musa (عليه السلام) died close to Bayt al-Maqdis, often referred to as ‘The Promised Land’. Yusha (عليه السلام) took over and led the Bani Israil over the River Jordan and into the surroundings of Jericho (also known locally as Ariha). It was a splendid city with large palaces. He laid siege over it for six months and then with a final push, raising the takbeer, he led his army in and conquered it.

It is said that when they were about to take the city of Jerusalem it was on a Friday at Asr time. The sunset was close approaching which would subject them to the observance of the sabbath (on Saturday), meaning that they would have had to cease fighting. Yusha (عليه السلام) addressed the sun that it was under a command while he was under another command and he prayed to Allah, “O Allah, hold it back from setting!”. It was stopped till Allah made him victorious.

A hadith has been narrated from Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) that the Prophet (ﷺ) said, ”Surely, the sun has never been stopped from setting down for a human being except for Yusha (عليه السلام) on the evening he invaded the Bayt al-Maqdis.”