Al-Aqsa Mosque

History of Al Aqsa Mosque

The history of the Al-Aqsa Mosque is a rich and complex one that spans over a thousand years. Here is a brief history of the mosque:

The Al-Aqsa Mosque is located on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, a site considered holy by Jews, Christians and Muslims. The mosque was built in the late 7th century, shortly after the Islamic conquest of Jerusalem in 637 CE. This place is also important for the Jews.

The Jews call the Temple Mount Mount Moriah at this point,

Mount Moriah is considered by the Jews to be the “Holy of Holies” and according to them, it is located inside the Temple complex under the “Dome of the Rock”.

The Temple Mount is also considered the first temple in the Hebrew Bible, which was built by King Solomon in 950 BC.

The Temple Mount was destroyed by the Babylonian king Nebuchad Nezer-II in 586/587 BC, the Temple Mount was rebuilt by the Jews in 516 BCE and renamed the Second Temple.

The Second Temple was again destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD during the Jerusalem Roman War. The Roman Emperor Constantine the Great is credited with the spread of Christianity in the region. He built the “Church of the Holy Sepulcher” in 336 AD.

In 637 AD, Jerusalem was brought under the Arabs and then the role of Islam started in this region.

The first mosque built on the Temple Mount was a modest wooden structure that was later replaced by a larger stone building in the 8th century. The mosque was expanded and renovated over the centuries, with various rulers adding their own architectural touches.

In the 12th century, the mosque was extensively renovated by the Crusaders, who turned it into a palace and renamed it Solomon’s Temple. The Muslims regained control of Jerusalem in 1187 and the mosque was restored to its original form.

The Al-Aqsa Mosque has suffered damage over the centuries due to earthquakes, fires, and other disasters, and has been restored and renovated several times. In the 20th century, it was renovated by the Jordanian government after it took control of Jerusalem in 1948.

Today, the Al-Aqsa Mosque is an important symbol of Muslim heritage and the third holiest site in Islam after Mecca and Medina. It remains a site of political and religious importance, the mosque was built in the early 8th century and was later destroyed and rebuilt after several earthquakes.

The mosque built on the Temple Mount is known as Haram al-Sharif.

Architecture of Al Aqsa Mosque

The architecture of the Al-Aqsa Mosque is a mixture of different styles and influences, reflecting the mosque’s long and rich history. Here are some of the major architectural features of the mosque:

Exterior Façade: The exterior façade of the mosque features a series of domes, arches and pillars, which are typical of Islamic architecture. The façade is made of stone and decorated with intricate geometric patterns and calligraphy.

Prayer Hall: The main prayer hall of the mosque is a rectangular space with rows of pillars supporting a series of pointed arches. The hall is covered with a wooden ceiling, painted with geometric designs in blue and gold.

The Dome of the Rock: The Dome of the Rock is a prominent feature of the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex. The dome is octagonal in shape and covered with gold leaf with intricate geometric designs and calligraphy on its walls. The foundation stone in the dome is the place where the Prophet Muhammad went to heaven during his night journey.

Mihrab: Mihrab is a niche in the prayer hall that indicates the direction of Mecca and is used for prayer. The mihrab in the Al-Aqsa Mosque is made of marble and decorated with intricate floral patterns and calligraphy.

Minaret: Minaret is a platform in the mosque from where the Imam delivers sermons on Fridays. The minaret in the Al-Aqsa Mosque is made of wood and decorated with geometric patterns and calligraphy.

Overall, the architecture of the Al-Aqsa Mosque is a beautiful blend of Islamic, Byzantine and Crusader styles, reflecting the mosque’s long and rich history.

Historical Significance of Al Aqsa Mosque

The Al-Aqsa Mosque is a historically important site for Muslims for several reasons. Here are some of the most notable:

It is one of the three holiest sites in Islam: the Al-Aqsa Mosque is one of the three holiest sites in Islam, along with the Kaaba in Mecca and the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina. Muslims believe that the mosque was built by the companions of Prophet Muhammad and that the Prophet himself prayed there during his night journeys.

It has played a prominent role in Islamic history: The Al-Aqsa Mosque has played an important role in Islamic history, especially during the early years of Islam. This was the first Qibla (direction of prayer) for Muslims before changing direction in Mecca. It was also the place where Prophet Muhammad prayed in a vision along with other prophets like Adam, Abraham, Moses and Jesus.

It has been a center of learning: The Al-Aqsa Mosque has been a center of learning for Muslims for centuries, where scholars from all over the Islamic world come to study and teach. The mosque has also been the site of numerous conferences and gatherings focused on Islamic scholarship and interfaith dialogue.

It has been a symbol of Muslim resistance: The Al-Aqsa Mosque has been a symbol of Muslim resistance to foreign occupation and oppression throughout history. During the Crusades, Muslim armies rallied around the mosque to liberate Jerusalem from Christian control. More recently, the mosque has been a focal point of Palestinian resistance to Israeli occupation and has been the site of protests and clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces.

Overall, the Al-Aqsa Mosque holds immense historical and religious significance for Muslims and is an important symbol of Muslim heritage and identity.

Al Aqsa Mosque Controversy

The Al-Aqsa Mosque has been the center of many controversies throughout history. Here are a few examples:

Control of the Temple Mount: The Temple Mount complex, which houses the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock, is a site of religious and political importance to both Jews and Muslims. The compound is under Israeli control, but the Jordanian Waqf (Islamic religious trust) manages the Muslim holy sites within the compound. The issue of control of the Temple Mount has led to tension and violence in the past, especially during times of political unrest.

Archaeological excavations: Archaeological excavations around the Temple Mount have been a source of controversy, with some Muslims accusing Israel of trying to erase evidence of Muslim heritage at the site. Israel has denied these claims, stating that the purpose of the excavation is to uncover the historical significance of the site.

Restrictions on Muslim worship: In 2017, Israel installed metal detectors and security cameras at the entrance to the Temple Mount complex, which led to protests by Muslims, who saw the move as an attempt to restrict their access to the holy site . The detectors were finally removed after several days of protests.

Violent Clashes: The Al-Aqsa Mosque has been the site of violent clashes between Israeli security forces and Muslim worshipers in the past. In 2019, tensions escalated after Israel allowed Jewish visitors to enter the compound during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, leading to protests and clashes.

Overall, the Al-Aqsa Mosque is a place of great importance to Muslims around the world, and any actions or disputes surrounding it have the potential to incite tension and conflict.