Because each of these three religions are Abrahamic, they all emphasize monotheism and share a reverence for many of the same Prophets. The reverence each of these religions has for Jerusalem stems from their shared background. While the shared background between Christianity and Judaism is well known, many do not know that Islam is part of this Abrahamic history.
One of the principal pillars of faith in Islam the belief in all Prophets and Messengers. The city of Jerusalem and Palestine, in general, is the land where many Prophets lived.
Jesus was born in Bethlehem, David and Solomon were in Jerusalem. After the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him passed, several of his Companions lived in Jerusalem and were buried there. Therefore, Jerusalem is revered because of its historical and religious significance. The angel Gabriel took the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him in one night, from Mecca to Jerusalem, and then to the heavens in one night. In this miraculous journey, the Prophet Muhammad met many other Prophets including Abraham, Jesus, and Moses peace be upon them all.
The Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him ascended to the heavens from the Dome of the Rock mosque in Jerusalem. It was during this visit to the heavens that He was given the command to pray five times a day, the second pillar of Islam.
Because each of only these three places is holy, the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him also discouraged people from traveling to any other sites thinking that they are holy. In Islamic tradition, Jerusalem will also play an important role at the end of times.
