Noble Sancutary Online Guide
Glimpses of History
Muslim Jerusalem
The Dome of the Rock
The Al-Aqsa Mosque
Other Structures in the Noble Sanctuary
Information on the
Noble Sanctuary CD-ROM
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Al-Aqsa Mosque
Al-Aqsa Mosque
After completion of the Dome of the Rock,
construction began at the site of the original timber mosque
built in the time of 'Umar. A vast congregational mosque rose
up, accommodating more than five thousand worshippers. Originally
commissioned by 'Abdul Malik ibn Marwan, it was apparently completed
by his son Al-Walid in 705AD.
Al-Aqsa Mosque from the west
The building became known as Masjid al-Aqsa,
Al-Aqsa Mosque, although in reality the whole area of the Noble
Sanctuary is considered Al-Aqsa Mosque, the entire precincts
inviolable according to Islamic law. Every Friday prayer, the
Al-Aqsa Mosque building overflows, with thousands of worshippers
who must make their prayers outside in the courtyards of the
vast open expanse of the Noble Sanctuary.
Al-Aqsa Mosque from the Dome of the Rock
While the Dome of the Rock was constructed
as a mosque to commemorate the Prophet's Night Journey, the building
known as Al-Aqsa Mosque became a centre
of worship and learning, attracting great teachers from all
over the world.
It has been modified several times to protect it from earthquakes,
which sometimes occur in the area, and to adapt to the changing
needs of the local population. The form of the present structure
has remained essentially the same since it was reconstructed
by the Khalif Al-Dhahir in 1033 AD. It is said that he did not
alter it from the previous architecture except to narrow it on
each side.