The Dome of the Rock

The Dome of the Rock (Qubbatus Saqqara) is

often mistakenly referred to as the al-Aqsa

mosque. This structure was built by Caliph Abd

al-Malik from 688 to 691 CE and houses the

sacred rock from which the Prophet Muhammed

(peace and blessings of Allah be on him)

ascended to heaven (Mi’raj) after the night

journey to Jerusalem (Isra’).

When the Crusaders took over Jerusalem, the

Dome of the Rock mosque was re-named

Templum Domini and had a cross placed on

top of the golden dome. The Qibly mosque was

re-named Templum Solomonis. This Kingdom

was to last 87 years, during which time neither

Jew nor Muslim was allowed to dwell within

the walls of the city.

Ibn Kathir (Allah show mercy on him) writes in

his book Kamil at-Tawarikh (The Perfect

History) of the scene when the Muslims

recaptured Jerusalem from the Crusaders: “…At

the top of the cupola of the Dome of the Rock

there was a great gilded cross. When the

Muslims entered the city on the Friday, some

of them climbed the top of the cupola to take

down the cross……a great cry went up from the

city and from outside the walls, the Muslims

crying ‘Allahu-akbar’ in their joy, the Franks

groaning in consternation and grief. So loud

and piercing was the cry that the earth shook.

…Salahuddin ordered that the shrines should be

restored to their original state. The Templars

had built their living quarters against al-Aqsa,

with storerooms and latrines…This was all

restored to its former state. The Sultan ordered

that the Dome of the Rock should be cleansed

of all pollution, and this was done…”

The beautiful external tile work which can be

seen today was commissioned by Sulayman II

Qanuni (the Lawgiver), known throughout

Europe as Sulayman the Magnificent. With the

incomparable skills of Persian master

ceramicists, 40,000 tiles were fired and put

into place, crowned by the inscription of Surah

Yasin, the 36th chapter and regarded as the

heart of the Quran.

Orthodox Jews believe the Dome of the Rock

to be the centre of the world.

References: Palestine: Beginner’s guide – Ismail

Adam Patel, Al-Quds – Mohammed Abdul

Hameed Al-Khateeb, The Crusades – Christine

Hatt

Photos : Wikipedia

The Foundation Stone viewed from the dome

Dome of the Rock as viewed from the Mount of

Olives and showing the walls of the Old City

Dome of the Rock at night viewed from the

Austrian Hospice

Print from 1887. Architect Frederick Catherwood

was the first westerner known to have made

detailed drawings of the Dome, which he

accomplished during a six-week period in 1833.

Tiled Facade

During the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent

(1520 to 1566) the exterior of the Dome of the

Rock was covered with tiles. This work took

seven years.

Dome of the Rock interior, 1915

From the east

Interior of The Dome of the Rock

This rock is believed to be the place from where

the Prophet Muhammed (peace and blessings of

Allah be on him) ascended to heaven (mi’raj)

during his night journey to Jerusalem. It is the

opinion of some scholars that the angel Israfeel

(upon him be peace) will blow the soor (trumpet)

from this place to herald the Day of Judgement.

When the Crusaders took over the site they

covered the Rock with a marble facing to make

an alter and choir, and the interior Quranic

inscriptions were covered with Latin texts, all

aimed to blot out Muslim presence. Salahuddin

Ayyubi had the building restored after the

Muslims reconquered it.

Jews and Christians believe this is the place

where the Prophet Ebrahim (upon him be

peace) was prepared to sacrifice his son Ishaq

(upon him be peace) after seeing a dream

indicating for him to do so. This is a

fundamental difference to the Muslim belief

that it was actually his elder son Ismail (upon

him be peace) who he was prepared to

sacrifice and that this happened in Mina, Saudi

Arabia. Inside the Dome, the major Quranic

inscription over the arches of the inner arcade

is addressed to the “Followers of the Gospel”,

i.e. Christians, denying the shocking notion

that God had sired a son. It warns them

against inaccurate and dangerous statements

about God (in Surah An-Nisa): “O People of the

Scripture! Do not exaggerate in your religion

nor utter aught concerning Allah save the

truth. The Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, was

only a Messenger of Allah, and His word which

He conveyed unto Mary, and a spirit from Him.

So believe in Allah and His messengers, and

say not “Three” – Cease! (it is) better for you!

– Allah is only One God. Far is it removed

from His transcendent majesty that he should

have a son. His is all that is in the heavens

and all that is in the earth. And Allah is

sufficient as Defender.” [4:171]

References: A history of Jerusalem – Karen

Underneath the Dome of the Rock

The main picture above shows the stairways

leading down to the small cave underneath the

Dome of the Rock. The picture inset shows an

internal view.

This cave has been called ‘The Well of

Souls’ (Arabic: Bir el-Arweh) as some believe

this is where the souls of the dead gather to

wait for the event of Judgement Day. However,

this is a myth as is the notion that the rock

above it is floating without any support.

References: Wikipedia