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SALT
A
half hour drive northwest from Amman lies
Salt, once briefly the capital of Jordan.
During the time of Ottoman rule, Salt
was the chief administrative centre for
the surrounding area. Get transported
back in time as you stroll through this
ancient town, with its picturesque streets
and dazzling houses with their characteristic
long-arched windows.
In and around Salt are several tombs of
prominent figures of Islam and others
mentioned in the Holy Quran. Within a
modern mosque in Wadi Shu'ayb lies the
shrine of Prophet Shu'ayb Jethro 
, the Midianite father-in-law of Prophet
Moses
and with whom Moses
took refuge after he killed an Egyptian.
Repeatedly he preached to his people about
monotheism and to abandon their corrupt
practices such as under-weighing and under-measuring
the commodities they sold.
Within a mosque to the west of Salt, on
a hill carrying his name lies the shrine
of Prophet Yusha (Joshua)
. He was the apprentice of Prophet Moses
and later his successor. Prophet Joshua
led the army of the tribes of Israel in
conquest over the land of Palestine.
Southwest
of Salt in an area known as Khirbet Ayyoub
foundations of an ancient building mark
the final resting place of Prophet Ayyoub
Job
who is mentioned in the Holy Quran four
times. His legendary patience and faith
gave him strength to endure tremendous
hardships. Ultimately Prophet Job
was rewarded with blessings, as stated
in the Holy Quran (Sura 21, verses 83-84):
"And (remember) Ayyoub, when
He cried to his Lord, "Truly distress
has seized me, but Thou art the Most Merciful
of those that are merciful." So We
listened to him: We removed the distress
that was on him, and We restored his people
to him, and doubled their number, as a
Grace from Ourselves, and a thing for
commemoration, for all who serve Us."
A
collection of stones marks the tomb of
the venerable companion Maysarah bin Masrouq
Al-'Abssi 
buried west of Salt in the town of 'Arda.
He witnessed the Prophet's 
Farewell Pilgrimage and took part in the
Battle of Yamamah and the conquest of
Greater Syria. In the 20th year after
Hijra, he became the commander of an army
that successfully attacked the Byzantines,
making them the first Muslim army to enter
Byzantine lands.
AJLOUN
A
short journey northwest of Jarash, takes
you through a pine forest and olive groves
leading your way to the medieval town
of Ajloun. Here you will find Ajloun Castle
(Qal'at ar-Rabad), built in the 12th century
by Usama bin Munqidh the nephew of Saladin.
A fine example of Arab and Islamic architecture,
it served as a military fort and buffer
to protect the region from invading Crusader
forces. The Castle today is beautifully
preserved and is a popular attraction
for Jordanians and foreigners alike. The
structures, towers, galleries and staircases
that form part of the town as well as
the beautiful scenery that surrounds the
hills nearby will captivate you.
Not far from Ajloun is the tomb of the
venerable companion 'Ikrimah bin Abi Jahl
marked by a collection of stones. He was
one of Prophet Mohammad's
bitterest enemies until he embraced Islam.
Later he distinguished himself by contributing
to the spread of Islam. Martyred in the
Battle of Yarmouk he also took part in
the wars of Apostasy and the conquest
of Syria.
Also in Ajloun is a shrine for Al-Khadir
(St. George)
as well as in Salt, Mahis, Karak and Bayt
Ras (Irbid). St. George
is not a prophet but one of God's righteous
worshippers, servants and a favourite
saint. He has many shrines in Jordan as
God revealed a number of miracles through
him as a method of educating people on
the merits of servitude to God. In the
Holy Quran, his famous story with Prophet
Moses
is cited in Surat Al-Kahf (The Cave) (verses
64-82).
IRBID
In the face of the Muslim expansion, the
Byzantine Emperor Heraclius gathered a
large army, lead by his brother Theodorus,
which fought the Muslim army at the Battle
of Yarmouk in August 639 A.D. The site
lays on the banks of the Yarmouk River
on the Northern tip of Jordan. The Muslim
army was greatly outnumbered but their
commander Khalid bin Al-Walid
led them to victory. This battle gave
the Muslims control of Greater Syria.
In Mazar Al-Shamali, near Irbid, is a
shrine for Prophet Dawud David .
As a child, he slew Goliath with a sling
and he became the second King of Israel
after Sha'ul (Saul). Moreover, David
was one of the apostles to whom heavenly
scriptures were revealed. David
spent some time in Jordan whilst at odds
with Saul, as well as later while on a
campaign.
The tomb of the venerable companion Abul-Darda'
is located in a modern building in the
village of Soam Al-Shunnaq near Irbid.
One of the most devoted and pious of the
companions, he was always by the Prophet's
side. Abul-Darda'
was best known for surpassing everyone
else in memorising, narrating and transmitting
Prophet Mohammad's
hadith. He took part in the military campaigns
and was later appointed governor of the
Bahrain province.
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