Al-Aqsa Mosque: A Brief History

The Al-Aqsa Mosque, located in the Old City of Jerusalem, stands as a symbol of religious and historical importance. In this article, we will delve into the intriguing history of Al-Aqsa Mosque and answer some key questions about this iconic structure .Al-Aqsa Mosque is one of the most important religious sites in the world. It is located in the Old City of Jerusalem and is considered the third holiest site in Islam after Mecca and Medina. The mosque is also significant to Jews and Christians, as it is believed to be the site of the First and Second Temples.

 
Ownership

The Al-Aqsa Mosque is owned by the Islamic Waqf, a religious trust that manages Islamic properties in Jerusalem. The Waqf has been responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the mosque since the 12th century.

Construction

The Al-Aqsa Mosque was built in 705 CE by Caliph Abd al-Malik. The mosque was initially a small prayer house, but it was expanded over the centuries to its current size. The mosque has undergone several renovations and restorations over the years, with the most recent restoration taking place in 2016.

Burials

Several notable figures are buried in Al-Aqsa Mosque, including Prophet Muhammad’s companion Umar ibn al-Khattab and Salahuddin Ayyubi, who liberated Jerusalem from the Crusaders.

Significance

Al-Aqsa Mosque is famous for several reasons. Firstly, it is believed to be the site where Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven during his Night Journey. Secondly, it is one of the few mosques in the world that has been continuously used for worship since its construction. Finally, it is a symbol of Palestinian identity and has been at the center of many conflicts between Israelis and Palestinians.

 Jinns

There are several stories about jinns building mosques, but there is no evidence to support these claims. The Al-Aqsa Mosque was built by human beings and has been maintained by humans for centuries.

Muhammad’s Prayer

There is no historical evidence to suggest that Prophet Muhammad ever prayed at Al-Aqsa Mosque. However, Muslims believe that he did visit Jerusalem during his Night Journey and that he led other prophets in prayer at the site where Al-Aqsa Mosque now stands.

Age of Kaaba

The Kaaba is a cube-shaped structure located in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is considered the holiest site in Islam and Muslims around the world face towards it when they pray. The exact age of Kaaba is not known, but it is believed to have been built by Prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismail around 2000 BCE.

Liberation of Al-Aqsa

Jerusalem was captured by Crusaders in 1099 CE, and Al-Aqsa Mosque was converted into a palace for King Baldwin I. The mosque was later restored to its original purpose after Jerusalem was recaptured by Salahuddin Ayyubi in 1187 CE.

Construction of Kaaba

The Kaaba was built by Prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismail as a place of worship for God. The structure has undergone several renovations over the years, with the most recent renovation taking place in 2019.