Yes, the prayer hall | Episode (7) | What are the virtues of the Dome of the Rock, with evidence?

0:00 In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.

0:04 We are a sun that never sets.

0:07 If called upon, we answer.

0:10 We restore the stolen right.

0:13 We support the beloved Al-Aqsa.

0:17 Within it, the best of creation prayed.

0:20 Truly, it is an excellent place of prayer.

0:24 An excellent place of prayer indeed.

0:28 What are the virtues of the Dome of the Rock, and what is the evidence for them?

0:36 It is one of the prominent and famous landmarks within Al-Aqsa Mosque.

0:42 It is that golden dome supported by an equilateral octagonal structure.

0:49 It was built by 'Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan.

0:52 In the period between 66 AH and 72 AH.

0:58 To protect the worshippers from the heat and the cold.

1:01 And to develop the mosque in a beautiful manner.

1:04 It is the oldest Islamic architectural monument and one of its Islamic treasures.

1:10 The Rock is the highest point within Al-Aqsa Mosque.

1:15 Its dimensions from north to south are approximately 18 meters.

1:21 And its width is 13 meters.

1:24 It is not suspended.

1:26 Nor has it ever been suspended at any point in time.

1:30 Rather, it is connected to the ground on one side.

1:35 Beneath it is a roughly square cave.

1:38 The length of its side is four and a half meters.

1:41 With a depth of one and a half meters.

1:43 This external and internal architectural structure,

1:47 along with the decorations and inscriptions,

1:50 went through several stages of renovation and restoration,

1:54 until it reached its current form.

1:57 Many virtues and beliefs are rumored about the Rock,

2:03 which have no basis in truth.

2:06 Among them is that it is suspended,

2:09 that it is a rock from Paradise,

2:11 that people will be gathered toward it,

2:14 and that the resurrection will take place from there.

2:17 Also, that the footprint of the Prophet (peace be upon him) is upon it,

2:22 or that he (peace be upon him) ascended to heaven from it,

2:26 or that when he ascended, it followed him,

2:29 and Jibril (peace be upon him) said to it,

2:32 "Stay firm."

2:34 Some also say it is the center of the world,

2:37 and other matters that are not authentic.

2:40 We do not affirm any virtue, sanctity, or status for it,

2:45 except through explicit, authentic evidence from the Qur'an or the authentic Sunnah.

2:50 Therefore, the Rock has no special sanctity,

2:55 or status and virtue,

2:57 other than being part of a blessed land and a sacred mosque.

3:03 It is not correct to call it the "Noble Rock,"

3:06 or the "Sacred" or "Suspended" Rock.

3:09 Shaykh al-Islam (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

3:12 "It is not a Sunnah to touch the Rock of Jerusalem,

3:16 nor to kiss it, by the consensus of the Muslims.

3:19 In fact, praying near it

3:23 has no exclusivity over other parts of the mosque."

3:26 The Rock was not prayed at by 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him),

3:31 nor by the Companions,

3:32 nor was there, during the era of the Rightly Guided Caliphs (may Allah be pleased with them),

3:37 a dome over it.

3:38 Rather, it was uncovered during the caliphates of 'Umar, 'Uthman, 'Ali,

3:43 Mu'awiyah, Yazid, and Marwan.

3:46 'Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan was the one who built the dome over it.

3:50 Something that must be pointed out

3:52 is that the media focuses on the image of the Dome of the Rock,

3:56 until many Muslims have come to believe that it is Al-Aqsa Mosque itself.

4:01 This leads to consequences that are not to be praised,

4:06 and it is intentional.

4:07 Because the Jews, according to their theories regarding the building of the alleged Temple,

4:12 aim to move the Dome of the Rock outside the walls of Al-Aqsa Mosque,

4:17 and place the Temple in the courtyards of the mosque.

4:20 At that point, the Dome of the Rock will be portrayed as Al-Aqsa Mosque,

4:25 and there will be no reaction to that.

4:29 Since the error has spread among the Muslims

4:33 that the building with the golden dome is Al-Aqsa Mosque,

4:37 and someone comes along wanting to correct it,

4:40 they move to an even greater error with good intentions,

4:43 by declaring that the Qibli Mosque—

4:46 the one with the lead dome at the front of the mosque—

4:50 is Al-Aqsa Mosque.

4:52 We emphasize once again

4:54 that Al-Aqsa Mosque is wider and more comprehensive than just these two prominent buildings.

5:01 It includes everything enclosed by the wall,

5:04 with an area of 144,000 square meters.

5:09 Alerting people regarding the matter of the Rock of Jerusalem

5:13 does not diminish the virtues of Al-Aqsa Mosque.

5:17 For Allah the Almighty has mentioned in His Noble Book

5:20 many verses that singled out Al-Aqsa Mosque

5:24 and Jerusalem with blessing and virtue.

5:27 And it has been established from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him)

5:30 in the books of Sahih and Sunan,

5:33 many hadiths that stated what Allah the Almighty has bestowed upon it

5:37 of goodness and blessing,

5:40 and clarified the characteristics that distinguish Al-Aqsa Mosque and its land,

5:45 due to its great status and high rank in Islamic law.

5:51 The Jews call the Rock the "Holy of Holies,"

5:56 and they consider it the holiest spot for them in their alleged temple,

6:01 as it is mentioned that they used to place the Ark containing the scriptures upon it,

6:07 and they make it a qibla and pray toward it,

6:11 with the goal of linking themselves to Al-Aqsa Mosque and claiming their right to it.

6:16 Unlike the Christians, who used to despise and scorn them.

6:22 Therefore, when Jerusalem was under Byzantine Christian rule,

6:28 they placed garbage on this Rock to spite the Jews.

6:32 Likewise, the Jews forbid entering the site of the Rock

6:36 until they are purified from impurities after the appearance of the Red Heifer,

6:41 then burning it and purifying themselves with its ashes.

6:45 An excellent place of prayer.

7:07 The landing place of the Trustworthy Revelation.

7:10 The place of mission for the Messengers.

7:13 The qibla for the Muslims.

7:16 The destination of the conquerors.

7:20 Within it, the best of creation prayed.

7:23 It is an excellent place of prayer indeed.

Yes, the prayer hall | Episode (7) | What are the virtues of the Dome of the Rock, with evidence?

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