Al-Aqsa Mosque
Jerusalem, Palestine · The first qibla and the destination of the Night Journey
The first qibla and the third of the holy sanctuaries, the destination of the Prophet Muhammad's ﷺ Night Journey.
Did you know?
- “Al-Masjid al-Aqsa” refers to everything inside the walls, about 144 dunams, including the Qibli Mosque, the Dome of the Rock and dozens of other landmarks.
- After the Hijrah, Muslims prayed toward it for sixteen or seventeen months before the qibla was changed to the Kaaba.
- Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi liberated it in 583 AH / 1187 CE and installed the minbar that Nur al-Din Zangi had ordered to be made.
- Salah al-Din's minbar was burned in 1969 CE; an exact replica was made and returned to its place in 2007 CE.
History and architecture
The Prophet ﷺ told us that al-Masjid al-Aqsa was set on earth forty years after al-Masjid al-Haram. On the night of the Isra he ﷺ led the prophets in prayer here, and from here he was raised to the heavens. Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) entered Jerusalem in the year 15 AH, cleaned the mosque's grounds and set up a place of prayer. Then the Umayyads built the Dome of the Rock and constructed the Qibli Mosque on the southern side. The mosque endured earthquakes, wars and a Crusader occupation that lasted nearly ninety years, until Salah al-Din liberated it and restored the call to prayer. Today al-Aqsa, with its wide courtyards, prayer halls and domes, remains a living witness to a long history of faith and steadfastness. Its grounds contain prayer halls, stone platforms for teaching, domes, minarets and water fountains, more than two hundred historic landmarks in all.
Founded: Forty years after al-Masjid al-Haram; its standing Umayyad building dates from the 1st century AH (around 90 AH / 709 CE)
Religious significance
Allah says: “Exalted is He who took His servant by night from al-Masjid al-Haram to al-Masjid al-Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed” (Al-Isra 17:1).
The Prophet ﷺ was asked: Which mosque was set on earth first? He said: “Al-Masjid al-Haram.” It was asked: Then which? He said: “Al-Masjid al-Aqsa.” It was asked: How long between them? He said: “Forty years” (Bukhari and Muslim).
It is the third of the three mosques to which people may set out on a special journey (Bukhari and Muslim).
The first qibla: the Prophet ﷺ and the Muslims prayed toward it before the qibla was changed to the Kaaba (Bukhari and Muslim).
Visiting tips
- Best time: The Fajr and Friday prayers have a special atmosphere. Entry may be restricted, so check the current situation and travel advice before visiting.
- Photography: From the Mount of Olives east of the city, for a panorama that brings together the Dome of the Rock, the Qibli Mosque and the walls of Jerusalem.
- Nearby: Dome of the Rock, Al-Marwani Prayer Hall, Al-Buraq Wall, Bab al-Rahmah
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Get it on Google PlayFrequently asked questions
Where is Al-Aqsa Mosque?
Al-Aqsa Mosque is in Jerusalem, Palestine.
When was Al-Aqsa Mosque founded?
Forty years after al-Masjid al-Haram; its standing Umayyad building dates from the 1st century AH (around 90 AH / 709 CE)