What are Al Masjid Al Aqsa and the Dome of the Rock?
1. Al Masjid Al Aqsa
The name “Al Masjid Al Aqsa” refers to the entire sanctuary (144,000 sq metres) and all the buildings in it.
Nowadays, the name Al Masjid Al Aqsa is ALSO used to refer specifically to the building with the silver dome which is located at the southern end of the sanctuary. This silver domed building also has other names such as “Al Jamia Al Aqsa” and “Al Masjid Al Qibli”, and it is preferable to use these names when referring to the silver domed building to avoid any confusion.
To summarise the above, Al Masjid Al Aqsa is actually the entire area of the sanctuary, even though in modern times the name has unfortunately been mistakenly used to refer to just the silver domed building.
The entire sanctuary of Al Masjid Al Aqsa is also known by two other Arabic names: “Bayt Al Maqdis” (House of the Holy) and “Al Haram Al Sharif” (the Noble Sanctuary).
2. The Dome of the Rock
The Dome of the Rock (which is also known by its Arabic names Masjid As-Sakhrah and Qubbat As-Sakhrah) is the most well-known building in the sanctuary of Al Masjid Al Aqsa due to its iconic design and gold dome. It is situated in the middle of the plateau of Al Masjid Al Aqsa, and was built in 72AH by Abd Al Malik ibn Marwaan. It is a part of Al Masjid Al Aqsa and is not separate or distinct to it.
SummaryAl Masjid Al Aqsa is the entire area that comprises both what is today called Al Masjid Al Aqsa (the silver domed building at the southern end of the sanctuary), the Dome of the Rock (in the middle of the sanctuary), and everything else that is on the plateau (including Masjid Burak, Masjid Marwani etc) and within the walls of the sanctuary. The size of the sanctuary is 144,000 square metres.
Why Visit Al-Aqsa?
Islamic
- The first qibla in Islam;
- The place where the Prophet Muhammad (saw) travelled to on the night of Isra;
- The place where the Prophet Muhammad (saw) led all the other Prophets in prayer;
Charity
If you visit Al Masjid Al Aqsa and intend that all the money you spend will be to support the Ummah
“The believer’s shade on the Day of Resurrection will be his Sadaqah.” [Ahmad]
Economic
The Israeli authorities have imposed such strict restrictions on the free movement of Palestinians and their ability to engage in trade and business, that it is difficult for them to build an economy independently.
Support
We have all heard about the inhumane, immoral and apartheid conditions which the Israeli authorities force upon our Palestinian brothers and sisters to live under, They need our support more than ever.
Islamic
Prophet Muhammad (saw) taught us that we should only undertake a special journey to one of three masaajid; Al Masjid Al Haram in Makkah, Al Masjid An-Nabawi in Madinah, and Al Masjid Al Aqsa in Jerusalem. In addition – prayer in each of these blessed masaajid are multiplied in virtue, with one salaah in Al Masjid Al Aqsa receiving at least 500 times the reward of salaah elsewhere.
Al Masjid Al Aqsa has a very special status for Muslims because of its own unique history, including being:
- The first qibla in Islam;
- The second place of worship built in Islam (built 40 years after Kaaba);
- The place where the Prophet Muhammad (saw) travelled to on the night of Isra;
- The place where the Prophet Muhammad (saw) led all the other Prophets in prayer;
- The place where the Prophet Muhammad (saw) ascended during the Miraj;
A place mentioned in the Quran as being “blessed” and “holy”, on numerous occasions.
Social
Many experience conditions of poverty that we can scarcely imagine, and are subjected to daily harassment, humiliation, physical abuse and prejudice.
Now ask yourselves the question – why do they stay in this land and endure such hardships each day, when there are many Zionist organisations that are willing to pay them unimaginable sums of money for their property?
The reason is because the Palestinians realise that this land is blessed and is sacred for the Muslims! They make such sacrifices to protect Al Masjid Al Aqsa so that it remains an Islamic place of worship, and so that all of us, and our families and future generations can visit and offer our salaah there. They sacrifice themselves to please Allah by protecting Al Masjid Al Aqsa for the Muslims.
So with this in mind, the very least we should try and do is visit and show them that we as an Ummah have not forgotten about them, and that we as an Ummah are united in our support for them. One thing that really touched our hearts on visiting Palestine is how often the locals tell us just how much it means for them to see foreigners visit, and how it gives them hope and renewed determination to continue their struggle because it reminds them that their struggle is for the Ummah, and that the Ummah is behind them.
Give Charity
Visiting Al Masjid Al Aqsa and Palestine provides an amazing and unique opportunity to gain huge reward by giving sadaqa. If you visit Al Masjid Al Aqsa and intend that all the money you spend will be to support the Ummah (and especially those within the Ummah who need it and have sacrificed themselves for the deen) – then inshAllah all the money you spend will be sadaqa for you!
