13/09/2025
Share with others, let everyone clear their misconception about Al masjid Al aqsa...
🌿 The Difference Between Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock 🌿
Many Muslims mistakenly believe that the Dome of the Rock is Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa, simply because its pictures are more widely circulated. In reality, this is not correct.
👉 The actual place of prayer (Al-Aqsa Mosque) is located on the southern side of the plateau.
👉 The Dome of the Rock was built over the raised rock in the center of the same plateau.
👉 In fact, Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa refers to the entire plateau, which makes up nearly one-fifth of the Old City of Jerusalem.
This is confirmed by the words of Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him) in Majmu’at al-Rasail al-Kubra, 2/61:
“Al-Masjid al-Aqsa is the name for the whole of the place of worship built by Sulayman (peace be upon him). Some people started to give the name of al-Aqsa to the prayer-place which was built by ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab in front of it. Praying in this prayer-place which ‘Umar built for the Muslims is better than praying in the rest of the mosque... With regard to the Rock, neither ‘Umar nor any of the Sahabah prayed there, and there was no dome over it during the time of the Rightly-Guided Caliphs... The scholars among the Sahabah and those who followed them in truth did not venerate the rock because it was an abrogated qiblah… rather it was venerated by the Jews and some of the Christians.”
It was ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) who cleaned the area and built the prayer hall for Muslims, refusing the suggestion of Ka’b al-Ahbar to place it behind the Rock, since veneration of the Rock was a Jewish practice, not part of Islam.
Today, many Muslims admire the Dome of the Rock for its architectural beauty. However, confusing it with Al-Aqsa Mosque can be dangerous. This confusion may even serve the goals of those who wish to diminish the importance of Al-Aqsa, paving the way for the false claim of building the so-called Temple of Solomon. By promoting the Dome as “Al-Aqsa,” they could destroy the true Al-Aqsa Mosque while showing Muslims that “the mosque is safe” using images of the Dome.
✨ Let us be aware, educate others, and protect the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque. Forward this knowledge to others!
We ask Allah to restore the strength and honor of the Muslim Ummah and to liberate Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa from the hands of oppressors.
- Shaikh Mir Madani
