Al-Aqsa Mosque is not only the Dome of the Rock

Many people confuse Al-Aqsa Mosque with the Dome of the Rock, or think they are the same place. In reality, they are two distinct sites within the Noble Sanctuary in Jerusalem. The confusion often comes from their shared sacred status and their close location inside the ancient city

Read About The Minbar of Saladin: Reconstructing a Jewel of Islamic

However, here are four main titles that in my opinion the least one should know about the holly spot:

• 1. The Ancient Jerusalem
• 2. Al-Aqsa Mosque (Al-Qudsi sanctuary)
• 3. Dome of the Rock
• 4. Al-Qibli Mosque
• 5. Summery

1. The Ancient Jerusalem (Al-Quds)

Until 1860 AD, the entire city of Jerusalem was confined within its walls, covering an area of 144,000 square meters. This walled Old City, located in occupied East Jerusalem, is home to Al-Aqsa Mosque and all its historic landmarks.

2. Al-Aqsa Mosque (Al-Qudsi sanctuary)

It is a walled complex of about one square kilometre that includes the Dome of the Rock, Al-Qibli Mosque, Omar Mosque, Marwani Mosque, the Old Al-Aqsa Mosque, Al-Buraq Mosque, the Sabil of Qaitbay, and Al-Ashrafiya School. In addition, the sanctuary contains nearly 200 structures, including domes, prayer niches, buildings, and terraces

The Al-Buraq Wall also represents part of the western wall of Al-Aqsa Mosque, which the Jews considered the Wailing Wall and took it as a shrine since the nineteenth century.

As for the huge wall; it was built by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent — who ruled the city between 1520 and 1566 AD. The wall extends to 3662 meters with height of about twelve meters. It also has 34 defense and eleven gates… of which four are closed.

The open doors are: the Lions Gate, the Damascus Gate, the Sahira Gate, the New Gate, the Hebron Gate, the Mughrabi Gate, and the Prophet David Gate

Al-Aqsa Mosque has a sublime position in the Muslim’s faith as the holly path of the great messenger- Muhammad- to heaven, and also as blessing for the inhabitants of the mosque surrounding in their livelihood, sustenance, cultivation and plantation; this is stated in the Noble Qur’an ( Al Israa Verses)

3. Dome of the Rock

Al-Aqsa sanctuary is located on a small hill called “Moria Hill”. The rock on which the dome was built is its highest point… to be the mosque’s most prominent landmark.

This magnificent building was excelled by the architects of the Umayyad dynasty during the reign of Abd al-Malik bin Marwan; they built it in three geometric circles, with the three architectural elements that came from the intersection of two equal squares, and resulted in an octagonal portico.

Note: The Dome of the Chain* that was erected before the Dome of the Rock as a miniature model to test the structure system before building the great Dome. This modelling was architectural norm at that time: read another example : Little Hagya Sophia is not Little

The dome is based on four stone pillars and twelve marble-clad columns … each pillar is interspersed with three marble columns, all of which form the central circle that surrounds the rock in a manner consistent with its irregular shape … as in the picture.

4. Al-Qibli Mosque

The Al-Qibli Mosque is the main prayer hall in which the worshipers gather in the Al-Aqsa Mosque behind the Imam in the congregational prayers.

Many additions have been made since erection on 636 AD until the current building reached to 80 meters long and 55 wide and 11 doors; the main one overlooks Al-Aqsa square.

In the middle of its interior a large portico surrounded by three galleries, ending with a high dome made of wood painted with lead … it is the one seen from the outside, and known as the lead dome.

Summary:

So the Dome of the Rock is part of the blessed Al-Aqsa and is located inside its wall. If some people may see the Dome as the entire holy sanctuary due to its good architecture and beauty of appearance, this does not excuse Muslims from error ; as how can one not learn all what he should know about his first qiblah and third holy mosque, that God has blessed for ever

*****

Books about Al-Aqsa:

* The Islamic Art in the West Bank and Gaza

Bayt al-Maqdis, Part 1

The Dome of the Rock

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The blogger is an architect; a master’s degree holder in international construction, interested in Architecture, civilization and cultures