General Description
Dome of the Rock, located in Jerusalem, is located in the area of the second holiest place for Muslims as well as arguably the most sacred location in Judaism. It was built by Yazid Ibn Salam from Jerusalem and Raja Ibn Haywah from Baysan sometime between the years 685 and 691 CE, and commissioned by the Umayyid Caliph Abd al-Malik ibn Murwan. Prior to the creation of the Dome of the Rock, the location was home to what followers of Judaism refer to as the “Temple Mount” and Muslims refer to as the “Noble Sanctuary.” It is important to know that that there are three masjids (places for Muslims to pray) in the sacred area where Dome of the Rock is located and the area that houses all three is believed to be sacred. Originally, the Temple Mount was expanded, and then destroyed by the invasion of the Romans in 70 CE, only to be conquered by Muslims during the Islamic invasion of the Byzantine Empire in 637 CE.
Architectural Design
The Dome of the Rock is most identifiable by its golden dome, separating it from the nearby Al-Aqsa Masjid, which is often mistaken for the Dome of the Rock. The dome is covered with 80 kilograms of real gold that was donated by King Hussein of Jordan. Starting with the dome itself, it has been noted by A.C. Creswell in his book Origin of the Plan of the Dome of the Rock that those who built the structure made use of the measurements of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which is also located in Jerusalem. The dome’s diameter measures 20 meters and 20 centimeters and its height is 20 meters and 48 centimeters. The dome rests on an elevated drum which contains 16 piers and columns, and attaches to a larger octagonal arcade that consists of 24 piers and columns. The shrine gets its name from the rock surface that is housed by the large arcade.
Symbolism and Sacred Objects
Contrary to popular belief, the Dome of the Rock is not the site in which the Prophet Muhammad made his voyage to heaven. The Quran states that the Prophet began his voyage to heaven from the near-by Al-Aqsa masjid. Inside the main arcade of the Dome of the Rock there is an uneven rock surface which is known by the Jews as the “Rock of Moriah” or the “Foundation Stone”, located at the center of the entire sacred area. The exterior is covered in colorful mosaics along with many scriptures from the Quran. Many of these scriptures from the Quran tell the story of the Prophet Muhammad’s voyage to heaven. Others have been selected to express Islam’s commitment to absolute monotheism. Some of these scriptures have also been chosen to show the world that the Quran also speaks at great lengths about the life of Jesus, son of Mary, and that Muslims not only believe that Jesus was a Prophet of God but also share with Christians the belief that Jesus will once again return to Earth.
The entire area is significant not only to Muslims and Jews, but also to Christians. The near-by Al-Aqsa masjid is believed by some Christians to be the exact location of the former Temple of Solomon. Some of these Christians believe that Jesus will return to Earth only after the Temple of Solomon is rebuilt over the current Al-Aqsa masjid.
How it is used by Worshippers
Muslims can pray at the Dome of the Rock, and some do. However, prayer in a congregation is not held at Dome of the Rock. Prayer led by an Imam (religious leader) is held at the near-by Al-Aqsa masjid. The Dome of the Rock is open for visitors during certain parts of the day, except Fridays, Saturdays, and Muslim holidays.
Sources:
Origin of the Plan of the Dome of the Rock. by Sir K.A.C. Creswell, Published in 1924, British School of Archaeology in Jerusalem. Supplementary papers., 2
The Meaning of the Umayyad Dome of the Rock, Nasser Rabbat, Muqarnas, Vol. 6, (1989), pp. 12-21
http://www.islamonline.net/english/In_Depth/Al-Israa_Al-Miraj/articles/09/article11.shtml
Islamic Architecture: form, function, and meaning. by Robert Hillenbrand, Published 1994, Columbia University Press
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