Al-Aqsa Mosque facts for kids

{{Name = Haram Al Sheriff Leadership = Jordanian Waqf Board }} Al-Aqsa Mosque is a very important place of worship for Muslims. It is located in Baitulmaqdis (Jerusalem). The name "Al-Aqsa" means "The Farthest Mosque."

This mosque is part of a larger area called Al-Haram al-Qudsi al-Sharif, or "The Noble Sanctuary." Jewish people call this area the Temple Mount. They believe it is where the Jewish Temple once stood.

Al-Aqsa Mosque is the third most important place in Islam. Muslims believe that Muhammad traveled from Mecca to Al-Aqsa Mosque during a special event called the "Night Journey." Some Islamic traditions also say Muhammad led prayers there before he went up to Heaven.

The mosque was first built around 705 AD. Over time, there have been incidents involving the mosque. In 1969, a fire caused damage to a large part of the mosque. Later, a group planned to blow up the mosque, but their plan was stopped.

In September 2000, Ariel Sharon visited the Al-Aqsa area. Some people at the mosque reacted, and there was a clash with the police. Palestinians felt Sharon's visit was meant to cause anger. Sharon, however, said he came with a message of peace. Many believe this visit led to the start of the Second Intifada, a period of conflict.

What Does "Al-Aqsa" Mean?

The name "Al-Aqsa Musjid" means "the farthest mosque." This name comes from a famous story in the Quran called "The Night Journey." In this story, Prophet Muhammad traveled from Makkah (Mecca) to Jerusalem. The Al-Aqsa Musjid is in Jerusalem. After arriving there, he then went up to Heaven (Jannah).

History of Al-Aqsa Mosque

The first Al-Aqsa Mosque was completed in 705 AD. It was built by the son of Abdul Malik ibn Marwan.

Early Buildings and Earthquakes

The first mosque was destroyed by an earthquake in 748 AD. It had to be rebuilt. We are not sure exactly when it was rebuilt, but it was likely around 771 AD. This second mosque was also destroyed soon after it was finished. The third mosque was built around 780 AD. In 1033 AD, another earthquake hit, and the mosque needed to be rebuilt again.

The Crusaders' Time

In 1099, Crusaders took control of Jerusalem. They did not tear down the mosque. Instead, the Crusaders used the mosque building as a palace. In 1119, it was changed into the main building for the Templar Knights.

Images for kids

• 

  Al-Aqsa Mosque

• 

  The mosque along the southern wall of al-Haram al-Sharif

• 

  The doors of the Saladin Minbar, early 1900s. The minbar was built on Nur al-Din's orders, but installed by Saladin

• 

  Mid-19th century chromolithograph of the mosque

• 

  The dome of the mosque in 1982. It was made of aluminum (and looked like silver), but replaced with its original lead plating in 1983.

• 

  The mosque seen from the Western Wall plaza, 2005

• 

  The mosque is situated at the Southern end of the Haram al-Sharif

• 

  The silver-colored dome consists of lead sheeting

• 

  The facade of the mosque. It was constructed by the Fatimids, then expanded by the Crusaders, the Ayyubids and the Mamluks

• 

  Hussein of Jordan flying over Temple Mount in 1965

• 

  Interior view of the mosque facing the mihrab

• 

  View of the hypostyle prayer hall

• 

  Decorated wall above mihrab near central dome facing main entrance

• 

  Mention of Fatimid imam on decorated wall (top left corner first line(..al-Zahir li-Izaz din-Allaah..)continuing in second)

• 

  Fatimid inscription above mihrab (top right)

• 

  Interior view of the mosque showing the mihrab, indicating the qiblah

• 

  Inscription showing Quran's aayat & contributors name to restore dome of Aqsa after 1969 burning

• 

  Interior decoration of Aqsa main dome

• 

  The original minbar installed under Saladin. The mihrab is visible to the left.

• 

  A man prays in the mosque in 2008

See also

In Spanish: Mezquita de Al-Aqsa para niños