In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
We are a sun that never sets.
If called upon, we answer.
We restore the stolen right.
We support the beloved Al-Aqsa.
Within it, the best of creation prayed.
Truly, it is an excellent place of prayer.
An excellent place of prayer indeed.
What are the virtues of the Dome of the Rock, and what is the evidence for them?
It is one of the prominent and famous landmarks within Al-Aqsa Mosque.
It is that golden dome supported by an equilateral octagonal structure.
It was built by 'Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan.
In the period between 66 AH and 72 AH.
To protect the worshippers from the heat and the cold.
And to develop the mosque in a beautiful manner.
It is the oldest Islamic architectural monument and one of its Islamic treasures.
The Rock is the highest point within Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Its dimensions from north to south are approximately 18 meters.
And its width is 13 meters.
It is not suspended.
Nor has it ever been suspended at any point in time.
Rather, it is connected to the ground on one side.
Beneath it is a roughly square cave.
The length of its side is four and a half meters.
With a depth of one and a half meters.
This external and internal architectural structure,
along with the decorations and inscriptions,
went through several stages of renovation and restoration,
until it reached its current form.
Many virtues and beliefs are rumored about the Rock,
which have no basis in truth.
Among them is that it is suspended,
that it is a rock from Paradise,
that people will be gathered toward it,
and that the resurrection will take place from there.
Also, that the footprint of the Prophet (peace be upon him) is upon it,
or that he (peace be upon him) ascended to heaven from it,
or that when he ascended, it followed him,
and Jibril (peace be upon him) said to it,
"Stay firm."
Some also say it is the center of the world,
and other matters that are not authentic.
We do not affirm any virtue, sanctity, or status for it,
except through explicit, authentic evidence from the Qur'an or the authentic Sunnah.
Therefore, the Rock has no special sanctity,
or status and virtue,
other than being part of a blessed land and a sacred mosque.
It is not correct to call it the "Noble Rock,"
or the "Sacred" or "Suspended" Rock.
Shaykh al-Islam (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
"It is not a Sunnah to touch the Rock of Jerusalem,
nor to kiss it, by the consensus of the Muslims.
In fact, praying near it
has no exclusivity over other parts of the mosque."
The Rock was not prayed at by 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him),
nor by the Companions,
nor was there, during the era of the Rightly Guided Caliphs (may Allah be pleased with them),
a dome over it.
Rather, it was uncovered during the caliphates of 'Umar, 'Uthman, 'Ali,
Mu'awiyah, Yazid, and Marwan.
'Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan was the one who built the dome over it.
Something that must be pointed out
is that the media focuses on the image of the Dome of the Rock,
until many Muslims have come to believe that it is Al-Aqsa Mosque itself.
This leads to consequences that are not to be praised,
and it is intentional.
Because the Jews, according to their theories regarding the building of the alleged Temple,
aim to move the Dome of the Rock outside the walls of Al-Aqsa Mosque,
and place the Temple in the courtyards of the mosque.
At that point, the Dome of the Rock will be portrayed as Al-Aqsa Mosque,
and there will be no reaction to that.
Since the error has spread among the Muslims
that the building with the golden dome is Al-Aqsa Mosque,
and someone comes along wanting to correct it,
they move to an even greater error with good intentions,
by declaring that the Qibli Mosque—
the one with the lead dome at the front of the mosque—
is Al-Aqsa Mosque.
We emphasize once again
that Al-Aqsa Mosque is wider and more comprehensive than just these two prominent buildings.
It includes everything enclosed by the wall,
with an area of 144,000 square meters.
Alerting people regarding the matter of the Rock of Jerusalem
does not diminish the virtues of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
For Allah the Almighty has mentioned in His Noble Book
many verses that singled out Al-Aqsa Mosque
and Jerusalem with blessing and virtue.
And it has been established from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him)
in the books of Sahih and Sunan,
many hadiths that stated what Allah the Almighty has bestowed upon it
of goodness and blessing,
and clarified the characteristics that distinguish Al-Aqsa Mosque and its land,
due to its great status and high rank in Islamic law.
The Jews call the Rock the "Holy of Holies,"
and they consider it the holiest spot for them in their alleged temple,
as it is mentioned that they used to place the Ark containing the scriptures upon it,
and they make it a qibla and pray toward it,
with the goal of linking themselves to Al-Aqsa Mosque and claiming their right to it.
Unlike the Christians, who used to despise and scorn them.
Therefore, when Jerusalem was under Byzantine Christian rule,
they placed garbage on this Rock to spite the Jews.
Likewise, the Jews forbid entering the site of the Rock
until they are purified from impurities after the appearance of the Red Heifer,
then burning it and purifying themselves with its ashes.
An excellent place of prayer.
The landing place of the Trustworthy Revelation.
The place of mission for the Messengers.
The qibla for the Muslims.
The destination of the conquerors.
Within it, the best of creation prayed.
It is an excellent place of prayer indeed.