What is the Dome of the Rock? What is the Dome of the Rock’s significance?
The Dome of the Rock is one of the most important architectural landmarks in the history of Islamic culture. The Dome of the Rock contains the Rock, which carries great significance for all three monotheistic religions, Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. Muslims mark it as the site of the miraj, the miraculous journey where the Prophet Muhammad ascended from Earth to Heaven from this very spot. Christian and Jews regard it to be the location where Abraham came to sacrifice Isaac .
Even in the holy city of Jerusalem itself filled with important landmarks, UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) itself states it quite simply on their World Heritage List “the Dome of the Rock stands out”. It also reflects the far-reaching extent of intercultural and interfaith dialogues and influences the native people of Jerusalem, both Christians and Muslims alike.
What is under the Dome of the Rock?
The Rock or the Foundation Stone, mentioned earlier is at the base of the Dome of the Rock.
Where is the Dome of the Rock located?
The Dome of the Rock is located in the center of the Noble Sanctuary in the Old City of Jerusalem.[1]
Who built the Dome of the Rock? When was the Dome of the Rock built?
The Dome was built in the seventh century[2] by the Umayyad Caliph Abd Al-Malik bin Marwan in 685 AD.[3]
The project was undertaken by two distinguished engineers: Yazid bin Al-Salam from Jerusalem, and Raja Bin Hayawi from Besan who used to be the assistant of the Caliph Omar bin Abd Al-Aziz[9][10]
Since its completion in 691 AD,[4] the Dome has been restored many times.[5]
As stated earlier, the Dome’s foundation was built on top of the rock that Muslims believe to be the exact position from where the Prophet Muhammad ascended to the heavens in the journey recorded in the Quranic chapter al-Isra’.[6]
How long did the Dome of the Rock take to build?
The project took seven years in its initial construction and became the most famous landmark in Ummayad and Islamic history.[7]
Since 691 AD, none of the original structure of the Dome has been changed–only= its outer shell.[8]
How was the Dome of the Rock constructed? The Dome of the Rock Architecture
The Dome of the Rock was built out of wood propped up in the shape of an octagon with a diameter of 66 feet (20 meters) and a height of 20 meters.[11] It is built on top of an elevated drum of 16 piers and columns in a shape of circle surrounded by an arcade of 24 piers and columns in a shape of octagon.[12]
Both the dome and the exterior walls of the dome are made of colored glass while the interior is decorated with mosaic and marble that was added many centuries after its original construction.[13] The dome is decorated with scrolls,[14] religious motifs,[15] vessels[16], and winged crowns but no human figures or pictures of animals.[17] In addition to Arabic inscriptions from Quran that emphasize the oneness of God and the prophet-hood of Muhammad and Jesus, the son of Mary.
Renovations, Repairs, and Earthquakes
When Was the Dome of the Rock Destroyed?
The Dome of the Rock was partially destroyed at different points in its history mainly due to earthquakes. In 746 AD, an earthquake in the area resulted in the destruction of the eastern and western parts of the Dome. In 774 AD, a part of the Dome was destroyed by another earthquake. In 1033 AD, a strong earthquake threatened to destroy the entire mosque. Finally most of the previous repairs implemented were rendered useless after the damage done to the Dome during the 1927 earthquake that hit Palestine.[25]
Was the Dome of the Rock rebuilt?
Yes, because of the Dome’s special place in the Islamic tradition, many caliphs ordered its renovation and restoration during their reigns. [18]
It was rebuilt under the orders of the Abbasid Caliph Ja‘ far Al-Mansour in 757 AD.[19] It was rebuilt in 779 AD by the Abbasid Caliph Al-Mahdi.[20] In 832 AD, a third Abbasid Caliph, Al-Ma’amun, oversaw additional repairs to the dome.[21]
A major renovation project was undertaken in the time of the Fatimid Caliph Al-Zaher that not only saw to the repairs of the mosque itself but to the expansion of the area itself and the addition of seven of the northern gates and several of the buildings in the courtyard.[22]
The Ottomon Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent (ruled 1520-1566) ordered a seven-year long project to redecorate and restore the exterior of the Dome and cover it with ornate Iznik tile [23] Another wide-scale renovation was undertaken during the rule of the Ottoman Sultan Mahmoud II in 1817.[24]
More recently, the Dome underwent two major renovation projects in 1965 when the Dome was covered with Italian durable aluminum and bronze alloy.
Is the Dome of the Rock made of real gold?
Yes. In 1993 King Hussein of Jordan donated $8.2 million to provide the 80 kilograms (176 pound) of gold to refurbish the covering of the golden dome.[26]
During restoration of the Dome from 1959 to 1962, the lead originally on the outside was replaced by aluminum-bronze plates covered with gold leaf.
Who controls the Dome of the Rock today?
The Jordanian Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs currently maintain the Dome of the Rock.[29] Although the Dome of the Rock has been under Israeli control since the Six day war in 1967,
When the Crusaders ruled Jerusalem, The Dome of the Rock was put under the control of the Augustinians who turned it into a church southern Al-Aqsa mosque was turned into a royal stable.[27] In 1187, the Dome of the Rock was again under Muslim rule after after Salah Al-Din recaptured the city from the crusaders and replaced the cross on top of the dome with a golden crescent.[28]
[1]Joseph Millis, Jerusalem: the Illustrated History of the Holy City (London: Andre Deutsch, 2012), 50
