Al-Aqsa and the Dome of the Rock: Jewels of Islam 🕌
The Al-Aqsa esplanade in Jerusalem is home to two of Islam's most iconic monuments: the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock . Often confused, these two structures each have their own history, architecture, and significance.
Discover in this comprehensive guide the fascinating history of these sacred places that inspire our Sadaqsa Money Box .
🕌 Al-Aqsa: The Faraway Mosque
Meaning of the Name
Al-Aqsa (المسجد الأقصى) means "the distant mosque" in Arabic. This name comes from the Quran:
"Glory and purity be to Him Who took His servant [Muhammad] by night from the Sacred Mosque to the Farthest Mosque, whose surroundings We have blessed."
— Surah Al-Isra (17:1)
History and Construction
Prophetic Period
- 📅 Foundation : According to the hadiths, Al-Aqsa was founded 40 years after the Kaaba
- 🌙 Isra and Mi'raj : Starting point of the Prophet's ﷺ Night Journey
- 🕋 First Qibla : Direction of prayer for Muslims for 16-17 months
Historical Construction
- 📅 691-692 : Initial construction under Caliph Abd al-Malik
- 🏗️ Reconstructions : Rebuilt several times after earthquakes
- 📐 Current form : Dating mainly from the 11th century
Architecture of the Al-Aqsa Mosque
Features
- 📏 Dimensions : 80m long × 55m wide
- 👥 Capacity : 5,000 worshippers inside
- 🏛️ Columns : 53 marble columns
- 🎨 Dome : Silver-plated lead dome
- 🪟 Windows : 121 windows with stained glass
Religious Significance
Third Holiest Site of Islam
Al-Aqsa is the third holiest site in Islam after Mecca and Medina.
"One only prepares one's mount for three mosques: the Sacred Mosque [Mecca], this mosque of mine [Medina], and the Al-Aqsa Mosque [Jerusalem]."
— Reported by Al-Bukhari 1189, Muslim 1397
Merit of Prayer
"A prayer in the Sacred Mosque is worth 100,000 prayers, a prayer in my mosque is worth 1,000 prayers, and a prayer in the Al-Aqsa Mosque is worth 500 prayers."
— Reported by At-Tabarani
✨ The Dome of the Rock: An Architectural Masterpiece
Important Distinction
⚠️ The Dome of the Rock is NOT a mosque , it is a sanctuary (qubbah) built to protect the sacred rock.
History and Construction
Umayyad Construction
- 📅 Date : 691-692 (72 AH)
- 👑 Sponsor : Caliph Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan
- 🎯 Objective : To protect the sacred rock and create an iconic Islamic monument
- ⏱️ Duration : 7 years of construction
Exceptional Architecture
The Golden Dome
- 🌟 Material : Anodized aluminum coated with gold (80 kg of pure gold)
- 📏 Diameter : 20.44 meters
- 📐 Total height : 35 meters
- 💰 Last restoration : 1993 (cost: $8.2 million)
Mosaics and Decorations
- 🎨 Ceramic tiles : Over 45,000 blue tiles
- 📜 Calligraphy : 240 meters of Quranic verses
- 🌺 Floral motifs : Arabesques and geometric patterns
- ✨ Byzantine Mosaics : Techniques Inherited from Byzantium
Octagonal Structure
- 🔷 Shape : Perfect octagon
- 📐 Symbolism : 8 sides representing the 8 gates of Paradise
- 🏛️ Columns : 4 central pillars + 12 interior columns
- 🪟 Windows : 56 windows with stained glass
The Sacred Rock
Religious Meaning
The rock at the center of the Dome is considered to be:
- 🌙 Starting point of the Mi'raj : The Prophet's ﷺ ascension to the heavens
- 📖 Place of prayer of Ibrahim according to some traditions
- ⛰️ Mount Moriah Summit : A place steeped in history
Characteristics of the Rock
- 📏 Dimensions : 13.5m × 11.5m
- ⚖️ Estimated weight : Several tons
- 🕳️ Cave below : Accessible by a staircase
🎨 Symbolism and Meaning
The Colors
Gold of the Dome
- ✨ Symbolizes : Divine light, purity, excellence
- 🌟 Visible from afar : A constant reminder of the Islamic presence
- 💫 Reflection of the sun : Illuminates the entire old town
Blue of the Checks
- 💙 Symbolizes : Heaven, paradise, spirituality
- 🌊 Islamic tradition : The color of protection
- 🎨 Contrast : With gold to create visual harmony
Geometric Patterns
Spiritual Meaning
- ♾️ Infinity : Repetitive patterns symbolizing the infinity of creation
- 🔷 Unit : Perfect geometry reflecting divine order
- 🌸 Nature : Floral motifs celebrating the creation of Allah
📚 The Al-Aqsa Esplanade: A Sacred Complex
Composition of the Esplanade
The Al-Aqsa Esplanade (Al-Haram ash-Sharif) includes:
- 🕌 Al-Aqsa Mosque (to the south)
- ✨ Dome of the Rock (in the center)
- 🏛️ Chain Dome
- 📚 Islamic Museum
- 🌳 Gardens and fountains
- 📖 Quranic schools
- 🏛️ Other small domes and structures
Area
- 📐 Total : 144,000 m² (14.4 hectares)
- 🏛️ Equivalent : 20 football pitches
- 👥 Capacity : Up to 400,000 worshippers
🌍 Al-Aqsa Today
Current Situation
- 🇵🇸 Location : Old City of Jerusalem (East Jerusalem)
- ⚠️ Status : Under the administration of the Jordanian Islamic Waqf
- 🚧 Access : Restrictions for non-resident Muslims
- 📸 Visits : Possible but regulated
Challenges and Preservation
- 🏗️ Restorations : Ongoing preservation work
- 💰 Funding : Donations from Muslim countries
- 📚 Education : Raising awareness of its importance
- 🤲 Support : Charitable projects for Al-Aqsa
🎁 The Sadaqsa Money Box: A Link with Al-Aqsa
Why the Dome of the Rock?
Our Sadaqsa money box is inspired by the Dome of the Rock to:
- 🕌 Create a connection with Al-Aqsa from childhood
- 📚 Educating about the importance of this sacred place
- 💚 Raising awareness of the Palestinian cause
- 🎨 Celebrating Islamic architecture
- 🤲 Encourage sadaqsa for educational projects
A Daily Reminder
Every time your child puts a coin in the Sadaqsa Money Box, it means:
- 💭 A reminder of Al-Aqsa and its importance
- 🤲 A prayer for the liberation of Al-Aqsa
- 💚 An act of solidarity with our Palestinian brothers
- 📚 An education in Islamic history
🤲 How to Support Al-Aqsa?
Concrete Actions
- 📖 Educating oneself : Learning its history and importance
- 👨👩👧👦 Educate : Pass on knowledge to our children
- 💰 Donate : Support conservation projects
- 🤲 Invoke : Pray for his protection and liberation
- 📱 Raise awareness : Share on social media
- 🕌 Visit : If possible, perform the prayer there
Invocations for Al-Aqsa
"O Allah, protect Al-Aqsa and liberate it. O Allah, make it easy for us to visit this blessed place. O Allah, support our brothers and sisters in Palestine. Amen."
📚 Fascinating Facts
Records and Special Features
- 🏆 Oldest Islamic monument still standing in its original form
- ✨ Over 1,300 years of continuous history
- 🎨 45,000 blue ceramic tiles
- 💰 80 kg of gold on the dome
- 📜 240 meters of Quranic calligraphy
- 🌍 Visible from several kilometers away
Historical Anecdotes
- 📸 Photography : One of the most photographed monuments in the world
- 🎨 Inspiration : Has inspired the architecture of many mosques
- 🏛️ Byzantine techniques : Christian artisans participated in its construction
- 🌟 Never destroyed : Despite wars and earthquakes
🌟 Conclusion: A Heritage to Preserve
Al-Aqsa and the Dome of the Rock are not just monuments: they are living symbols of Islam, witnesses to history and constant reminders of our faith.
By educating our children about their importance, by supporting them with our prayers and gifts, and by keeping their memory alive, we participate in the preservation of this sacred heritage.
May Allah protect Al-Aqsa, facilitate its liberation, and allow us to perform prayer there. May He accept our charity and supplications. Ameen 🤲
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