The difference between Al Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of Rock

The difference between Al Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of Rock

Al Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the Rock are two separate things that most people mix up. This article clarifies the difference between these two places.

There are lots of confusion between lots of things, places and many more. And the confusion between Masjid Al-Aqsa and Dome of the Rock is one of them. Most of the people said both are the same places because they are located in the same city but we should know that Islamic history is different for both. 

Al Aqsa Mosque

Al Aqsa Mosque is also known as Bait-ul-Muqaddas. This mosque is located in Jerusalem the old city. It was the first Qibla of Muslims before Mecca. It is the holiest place for Muslims as well as for people of another religion. It was built by Suleman. The Al Aqsa Mosque is located on the Temple Mount, referred to by Muslims today as the “Haram al-Sharif with silver doom and four Minarets. 

Dome of the Rock.

Crowned with its golden dome, the Dome of the Rock is an impressive and beautiful edifice that can be seen from all over Jerusalem. 

The sacred rock over which the Dome of the Rock is built was considered holy before the arrival of Islam. Jews believed, and still believe, the rock to be the very place where Abraham prepared to sacrifice Isaac (an event which Muslims place in Mecca). In addition, the Dome of the Rock is believed by many to stand directly over the site of the Holy of Holies of both Solomon's Temple and Herod's Temple.

It is not a mosque but a Muslim shrine, built over a sacred stone. 

The stone is believed to be the place from which Prophet Muhammad ascended into heaven during his Night Journey to Heaven. 

The gold dome stretches 20 meters across the Noble Rock, rising to an apex more than 35 meters above it. The Quranic verse 'Ya Sin' is inscribed across the top in the dazzling tile work commissioned in the 16th century by Suleiman the Magnificent.

The Dome of the Rock is, as mentioned, built above the Foundation Stone and the traditional site of the binding of Isaac and Mohamads ascension to heaven on his mythical beast al-Buraq. This structure is NOT a mosque but a building built to protect this important site in the 7th century. 

Al-Aqsa, on the other hand IS a mosque (built in the 8th century) and is called such as the place where Mohamad ascended to heaven is called such as al-Aqsa means the outer place in Arabic (interpreted by the Moslems as meaning Jerusalem). Thus the confusion of the two sites. Unfortunately in recent years the Waqf does not allow non-Moslems access to either building, but as mentioned you can view them from outside. The Dome of the Rock is Islam's most ancient building whereas al-Aqsa is one of Islams most important places.