On a small mount in the Old city of Jerseulem is the famous Masjid Al-Aqsa. The second mosque of the world and the only mosque where all of Allah’s Messengers prayed together. This mosque is also significant as the Holy Prophet’s night journey took him from Makkah to Al-Aqsa and then onwards.

This place holds significance in not only Islam but in all religions of the book, which includes Judaism and Christianity. A land that has secrets and stories to tell, but in recent years has come under great pressure.

Here are a few things you might not have known about this historical place.

1. The entire mount is considered Masjid Al-Aqsa – not just one Mosque

The building that is considered and pictured is Al-Aqsa mosque is actually Masjid Qibly, named because it is the closest to the Qibla.

 2. Burial Ground

Though there is no accurate record as to who and how many have been buried here. The burial ground in Al Haram Al Sharif is said to be the resting place for many Prophets and Sahaabas of the Holy Prophet (pbuh).

3. During the time of the Romans, the Masjid had become a garbage dump.

It was cleared by Umar (RA) when he freed the city from Romans.

4. A slaughter house during the First Crusades

When the Crusaders came to Jerusalem and took over the city, they found Muslims’ hiding there to keep safe. The Crusaders finding the Muslims’ there slaughtered around 70,000 of them in the mosque and then converted the mosque into a Palace while the basement of the mosque was converted into stables for their animals.

5. The Dome of the Rock

The beautiful gold dome that is pictured today was not always like that. It was initially brass, wood or ceramic and was given the Gold color we now see by Khalifah Ustmaniyyah Sulayman.

6. Rebuilt – after being burned down in 1969

The mosque was burnt down after leaving Muslim’s hands in 1967. During the fire the famous mimbar that is said to have been a legend among craftsman was also lost. The mosque though rebuilt in 1969, still requires extensive work to it’s foundations.

7. Mimbar (Pulpit) of Legend

Installed by Nooruddin Zengi, no nail or glue was used to create this masterpiece.

8. Only Masjid besides the Holy Kaaba that is mentioned in the Quran (Surat Al-Isra)

Did you know these interesting facts about Masjid Al-Aqsa?