Located on Temple Mount, nearby the Dome of the Rock and above the Western Wall, Al Aqsa mosque is a site of incredible religious and cultural importance and one of the well-known symbols of the old city of Jerusalem. Here is all of the important information about the Al Aqsa mosque, including the site’s history, and the ways to visit it or see it from afar.
The Story of Al Aqsa Mosque
The name Al Aqsa means the farthest Mosque or the Last Mosque. In Arabic, the name refers to the whole Temple Mount. According to the Quran and Muslim tradition, Muhammad ascended to heaven right here on Temple Mount, leaving his mark on the Foundation Stone, which can be seen in the Dome of the Rock. According to tradition, one night the angel Gabriel arrived in the city of Mecca, where he met the prophet Muhammad. At the behest of the angel, Muhammad flew to Jerusalem on the back of ‘Al-Buraq’ – an animal with the hair of a girl, studded with precious stones and six wings. From the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, according to the legend, Muhammad and the angel ascended through seven levels to heaven, and on each level, he met and spoke to another prophet.
The History of the mosque
Caliph Umar, who conquered Jerusalem in 640, was the first to build a mosque at this location. According to Muslim tradition, a Jewish convert accompanied Umar when he arrived at the Temple Mount. Umar asked the convert where the mosque should be built. The convert suggested placing it north of the Foundation Stone, allowing prayers in both directions: towards the Foundation Stone for Jews and towards Mecca for Muslims. However, Umar responded that Muslims were commanded to pray only towards Mecca, not the Foundation Stone. He then decided to build the mosque south of the Foundation Stone, ensuring that Muslims would face Mecca with their backs to the Foundation Stone.
From Early Islamic Architecture to Crusader Control
Abd al-Malik, one of the earliest rulers of the Umayyad dynasty, replaced the original simple wooden structure of the mosque with a larger stone building. The Umayyads were the first to elevate Jerusalem’s status in Islam. Over the years, the mosque’s location in the southern part of the Temple Mount, atop Herod’s vaults, caused challenges, including significant earthquake damage at least five times. One earthquake in the mid-8th century nearly destroyed it. In 1035, the Al Aqsa Mosque was rebuilt on a smaller scale, and this is the structure that stands today.
In the 12th century, the Crusaders took control of Jerusalem, expelled the Muslims from the Temple Mount, and made the Al Aqsa Mosque their headquarters, believing it to be the site of Solomon’s Temple. Today, the mosque is officially administered by the Jordanian Waqf and serves as a major religious center, attracting thousands of Muslims for prayer. It welcomes visitors daily, but it is particularly active on Fridays and during Muslim holidays.
Is it possible to visit Al Aqsa Mosque?
Today, it is not possible for non-muslim visitors to go inside the mosque. However, it is possible to go up Temple Mount and see Al Aqsa Mosque from up close. However, it is important to note that there is usually a lot of tension around the Temple Mount, so it is recommended to check the situation in advance before you decide to visit. If you wish to go up Temple Mount, it is possible to do so from the Western Wall Plaza.
Anyway, it’s important to know that in order to visit Temple Mount, you will be required to present an identification card, and wear shirts and pants with long sleeves. In addition, it is not allowed to wear or carry non-Muslim religious symbols of any kind.
If you do not intend to go up Temple Mount, there are several ways to see the impressive mosque from afar. The best and most popular viewpoint on the mosque is the Rehavam Lookout, located on the Mount of Olives.
