The Holy Land in the Holy Quran: A Combined Content Analysis of the Holy Quranic Verses and Theological Perspectives

This research paper presents a comprehensive theological and content-based analysis of the concept of the Holy Land as represented in the Holy Qur’an, with a particular focus on the verses associated with the birth, migration, and prophetic missions of Moses and other prophets. Contrary to many classical and modern interpretations that link the Holy Land and Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa directly to Prophet Muhammad, this study argues that no verse in the Qur’an explicitly mentions Muhammad in this context. Through a rigorous content analysis of the Qur’anic text, supported by linguistic and historical exegesis, the study reconsiders Surah Al-Isrā (17:1) not as a reference to Muhammad’s Night Journey, but rather as a continuation of the narrative of Moses and the Children of Israel. The findings suggest that the Holy Land in the Qur’an primarily refers to the geographical and spiritual region associated with the prophetic traditions of Abraham, Lot, and Moses, rather than a direct association with Mecca or Medina. This reinterpretation contributes to a renewed understanding of the Qur’anic geography of revelation and calls for a re-examination of inherited exegetical assumptions.