Al-Aqsa Mosque: A Sacred Site in Islam
Al-Aqsa Mosque (Arabic: ٱلْمَسْجِد ٱلْأَقْصَىٰ, romanized: al-Masjid al-ʾAqṣā, "the Farthest Mosque"), located in the Old City of Al Quds (Jerusalem), is the third holiest site in Islam. Built on top of the Temple Mount, also known as the Al Aqsa Compound or Haram esh-Sharif, the mosque holds profound religious significance, having been constructed several decades after the death of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).
Historical Significance
Islamic tradition narrates that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was transported from the Great Mosque of Mecca to this location during the Night Journey. Initially, Muslims directed their prayers towards Al-Aqsa until the 16th or 17th month after their migration from Makkah to Madinah, when Allah instructed them to turn towards the Kaaba in Makkah.
Architectural Evolution
The original covered mosque was a modest prayer house erected by Umar, the second caliph of the Rashidun Caliphate, following the Muslim conquest of the Levant in the early 7th century. The Umayyad caliph Abd al-Malik later rebuilt and expanded it, with completion by his son al-Walid in 705. However, an earthquake in 746 demolished the mosque, leading to its reconstruction by the Abbasid caliph al-Mansur in 754 and again in 780.
A subsequent earthquake in 1033 caused extensive damage, but two years later, the Fatimid caliph Ali Az-Zahir built another mosque, the outline of which is preserved in the current structure. Notably, the mosaics on the arch at the qibla end of the nave also date back to his era.
Periodic Renovations
Throughout history, various Islamic caliphates and dynasties contributed to the mosque's development by adding significant features such as its dome, facade, minbar, minarets, and enhancing its interior structure. When the Crusaders captured Al Quds (Jerusalem) in 1099, they repurposed the mosque as a palace and the Dome of the Rock as a church, using it as the headquarters for the Knights Templar. Upon recapture by Saladin in 1187, the mosque's function as a place of worship was restored.
Modern Era
In subsequent centuries, the mosque underwent numerous renovations and repairs, led by the Ayyubids, Mamluks, Ottomans, the Supreme Muslim Council, and Jordan. Today, despite the Old City being under Israeli control, the mosque remains administrated by the Jordanian/Palestinian-led Islamic Waqf.
Interfaith Proximity
Al-Aqsa Mosque is situated near significant historical sites of Judaism and Christianity, including the site of the Second Temple, the holiest site in Judaism. It resides on the Temple Mount, now referred to by Muslims as "Haram al-Sharif" ("Noble Sanctuary"), an enclosure expanded by King Herod the Great starting in 20 BCE. Tradition holds that the original sanctuary dates back to the time of the Prophet Ibrahim (may Allah bless him and grant him peace).
Conclusion
Al-Aqsa Mosque stands as a testament to the rich historical and religious heritage of the Islamic world, symbolizing centuries of devotion, conflict, and restoration. Its spiritual and cultural significance continues to resonate with millions of Muslims worldwide.