City Spotlight

Jericho

Jericho (Ariha) is a city in the West Bank, Palestine, and the capital of the Jericho Governorate. The city is located in the Jordan Valley, with the Jordan River to the east and Al Quds (Jerusalem) to the west. Jericho is among the oldest cities in the world ! Prophet Yusha’ ibn Nun (Joshua): - In Islamic tradition, after the 40 years of wandering in the desert (Al-Tih) following the exodus from Egypt, it was Prophet Yusha’ (the companion and successor of Prophet Musa) who led Bani Isra'il across the Jordan River into the Holy Land. - Jericho is widely regarded as the first major city conquered under his leadership The Miracle of the Sun: - Sahih hadith literature mentions a famous miracle associated with Yusha’ ibn Nun during his march to conquer the territory around Jerusalem and Jericho: - the sun was miraculously held back in the sky by Allah's command to allow his army to complete their conquest before the onset of the Sabbath. Association with the Concept of Hittah The Command to Enter Humbly: - Islamic scholars and commentators of the Qur'an (mufassirun) frequently discuss Jericho alongside Jerusalem regarding the Qur'anic command to "enter the gate bowing humbly and say 'Hittah' [repentance/forgiveness]" (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:58). - Many classical commentators suggest that Jericho was the city referred to where Bani Isra'il were commanded to enter with humility after leaving the wilderness.