Dome of the Rock, the architectural jewel of Islam and the Damascus Mosque, its master piece.
According to an inscription found on the building, the Dome of the Rock was built by the Caliph Abd-el-Malik between 691-692.
The dome forms the heart of the complex of Al-Haram Ash-Sharif and covers the rock "Sakhra" from where Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) ascended to heaven accompanied by Archangel Gabriel.
By building the Dome of the Rock to cover the sacred "Sakhra", Abd-al-Malik wanted to match his rival Ibn Zubayr (who rebuilt part of the Kaabah, mosque between 683-392) in his devotion to Islam.
A more compatible view with the aspiration of Abdel Malik is that he wanted to glorify the location of Masjid Al-Aqsa as mentioned in the Quran.
The mosque of Omar (presently al-Aqsa mosque) was first introduced there since the days of the second Caliph Omar, when the Muslims entered Jerusalem.
Many more people confuse the two buildings and call them Al-Aqsa mosque. The reality is that the whole complex is called Al-Haram Ash-Sharif which embraces both buildings.
The significance of this building can be seen in numerous levels. The geometrical pattern of both plan and elevation, and the relation between dome, arches and columns, all create a sense of harmony and unity greatly emphasised by the rich décor of polychrome marble and colourful mosaics
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