Considered the third holiest site in Islam, the Al-Aqsa Masjid commemorates Prophet Muhammad's night journey on a winged horse (al-Buraq) from Mecca to the farthest mosque and thereafter to the seven heavens. For Muslims, this farthest mosque is Al Aqsa at Jerusalem. Not many know that the first qibla (direction of Muslim prayer) was facing Jerusalem and not Mecca!
The first mosque was built of wood by the Second Caliph Hazrat Umar in 638 AD. Later, it was expanded by Abdul Malik ibn Marwan (who built the Dome of the Rock). His son Al Walid in 705 AD completed the work. It was reconstructed by the Khalifa Al Dhahir in 1033 AD and since then not much change has happened. When Crusaders invaded Jerusalem in 1099, they called the mosque "Solomon's Temple" and used it as a royal palace. In 1119, it was transformed into the headquarters for the Templar Knights. In 1187, Saladin reconquered the mosque and repaired the structure. The mosque has a dimension of 272 ft x 184 ft and a capacity for 5000 worshipers. However, if the precincts (1.55 million sq.ft.) are included 400,000 can worship in the area.
It should be noted that when a Muslim says Al Aqsa, he or she is not referring just to the mosque, but to the whole Temple Mount complex. There is a saying among Muslims that "a prayer in the in Mecca is worth 100,000 prayers; a prayer in Medina is worth 10,000 prayers; and a prayer in al-Masjid al-Aqsa is worth 1,000 prayers."
What to see inside?
7 aisles, 121 stained glass windows, 45 columns (33 marble +12 stone), painted ceilings and a pulpit built by Saladin (1187) are the major attractions inside. The first pulpit or minbar was made of ivory and magnificently crafted wood. It was destroyed by fire set by a Christian fundamentalist in 1969 and now replaced by a simpler one. Since non-Muslims are not allowed inside, I can get you only a few snaps taken through the western side windows.
The first mosque was built of wood by the Second Caliph Hazrat Umar in 638 AD. Later, it was expanded by Abdul Malik ibn Marwan (who built the Dome of the Rock). His son Al Walid in 705 AD completed the work. It was reconstructed by the Khalifa Al Dhahir in 1033 AD and since then not much change has happened. When Crusaders invaded Jerusalem in 1099, they called the mosque "Solomon's Temple" and used it as a royal palace. In 1119, it was transformed into the headquarters for the Templar Knights. In 1187, Saladin reconquered the mosque and repaired the structure. The mosque has a dimension of 272 ft x 184 ft and a capacity for 5000 worshipers. However, if the precincts (1.55 million sq.ft.) are included 400,000 can worship in the area.
It should be noted that when a Muslim says Al Aqsa, he or she is not referring just to the mosque, but to the whole Temple Mount complex. There is a saying among Muslims that "a prayer in the in Mecca is worth 100,000 prayers; a prayer in Medina is worth 10,000 prayers; and a prayer in al-Masjid al-Aqsa is worth 1,000 prayers."
What to see inside?
7 aisles, 121 stained glass windows, 45 columns (33 marble +12 stone), painted ceilings and a pulpit built by Saladin (1187) are the major attractions inside. The first pulpit or minbar was made of ivory and magnificently crafted wood. It was destroyed by fire set by a Christian fundamentalist in 1969 and now replaced by a simpler one. Since non-Muslims are not allowed inside, I can get you only a few snaps taken through the western side windows.
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