Jerusalem is a highly important place for Muslims, the third most sacred city in Islam. Muslims used to pray daily facing its direction (qibla) before it was changed to Mecca, another highly important city in the Islamic religion. Jerusalem is revered because, in Muslim tradition, Muhammad miraculously travelled to Jerusalem during the night and ascended from there into heaven. The two most important Muslim sites in Jerusalem are the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque, however there are many more sites to be enjoyed in the Muslim quarter of the city, in the north-east of Jerusalem.
|
The dome of the rockThe most notable Muslim site in Jerusalem is the Dome of the Rock (Qubbat as-Sakhrah), which, like the Ka'ba in Mecca, is built over a sacred stone. This is the site where, according to Muslim tradition, Muhammad ascended into heaven during his night journey and received instructions from Allah. This stone is holy to Jews as well, who believe it to be the site at which Abraham prepared to sacrifice Isaac (Muslims believed this happened in Mecca). The shining Dome of the Rock was built from 685 to 691 as a shrine for pilgrims. Its base is octagonal in shape and its outer walls are 60 feet high. The dome was previously made of gold however it is now coated in gold leaf, donated by King Hussein of Jordan.
In the Middle Ages, Christians and Muslims both believed the dome to be the biblical Temple of Solomon and the site where the Holy of Holies was situated. The Knights Templars made their headquarters there during the historic Crusades of 1095 to 1272, and later designed their churches after its design. Some believe it is built on the Foundation Stone, the site on which God created the first human beings. |