Al-Aqsa Mosque is not only the Dome of the Rock
Many of us may confuse between Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock; some people even think of them as one despite the clear distinction. This perhaps because they both share the holy status, or they share the location in the ancient Jerusalem.
However, here are four main titles that in my opinion the least one should know about the holly spot:
The Ancient Jerusalem (Al-Quds) … which until 1860 AD constituted the entire city of Jerusalem is a walled area of 144,000 square meters, that is located inside the occupied East Jerusalem and embraces Al-Aqsa Mosque with all its symbols.
Al-Aqsa Mosque (Al-Qudsi sanctuary)
It is, in turn, a walled complex with an area of circa a square kilometre, that includes the Dome of the Rock, the Qibli Mosque, the Omar Mosque, the Marwani Mosque, the old Al-Aqsa Mosque, Al-Buraq Mosque, the Sabil Qaitbay (market) and Al-Ashrafiya School … in addition to a group of domes, buildings, pray niches and terraces; the number of which is about 200.
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 the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent — who ruled the city between 1520 and 1566 AD — with a length of 3662 meters, and a height of about twelve meters.The wall has 34 towers to defend the city, 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)
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, and the dome is the most prominent landmark of the mosque at all.
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.
As for the dome, it 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.
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.
Since erection on 636 AD modifications and additions have been made until the current building reached to 80 meters long and 55 wide. The mosque has 11 doors although the main one overlooks Al-Aqsa square. In the middle of its interior is a large portico surrounded by three galleries, ending with a high dome made of wood painted with lead … it is the one that can be seen from the outside, and is 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
Notes:
- The Dome of the Chain* was built before and as a miniature model of the Dome of the Rock. This modelling is usual with the great buildings read: Little Hagya Sophia is not Little
