Bayt al-Maqdis from the Perspective of Ibn Sa`d’s Kitāb al-？abaqāt al-Kabīr

The relationship between “Bayt al-Maqdis” which is considered sacred in all of the three monotheistic religions and “Hejaz” dates back to before Islam. Especially the links that were established for trade purposes have gained a religious aspect with the advent of Islam. This study aims to determine the network of information related to Bayt al-Maqdis within a book; namely Kitāb al-？abaqāt al-Kabīr by Ibn Sa？d. The Prophet had state policies, war strategies and relations with Byzantium for the conquest of Bayt al-Maqdis, which is geographically very different from the region of Hejaz. Within this context, it should not be considered a coincidence that the Prophet prepares and leads some of the armies to fight the Byzantium, such as the Ghazwa of Tabuk, the Battle of Mu'tah and the expedition of Usama prepared before his death; these were indeed crucial steps taken by the Prophet for the conquest of Bayt al-Maqdis. Indeed, with this strategy the Prophet has drawn a road map for the future caliphs. Indeed, Bayt al-Maqdis was amongst the places that Prophet had given glad tidings of its conquest, which was fulfilled a few years later at the hands of Umar. Not only this but the Prophet had advised his companions to settle in Bayt al-Maqdis. After the conquest of Bayt al-Maqdis, numerous companions have indeed settled there and left their decendents in its blessed land