Masjid e Al-Aqsa (المسجد الأقصى) in Jerusalem is Islam’s third-holiest sanctuary, after Masjid al-Haram in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah. Its name literally means “the Farthest Mosque,” referring to the Qur’anic account of the Night Journey. As one source explains, “Al-Aqsa Mosque… is the third holiest site in Islam…”, and “Muslims believe that Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم was transported from the Sacred Mosque in Mecca to al-Aqsa during the Night Journey.” These verses (Qur’an 17:1) affirm that Allah “took His Servant by night from al-Masjid al-Haram to al-Masjid al-Aqsa…”. Today, the iconic silver dome and minaret of Masjid Al-Aqsa still overlook Jerusalem’s Old City, marking the Noble Sanctuary (al-Haram ash-Sharif) as a sacred place of worship and memory for Muslims worldwide.

Al-Aqsa’s location on the Temple Mount is significant: it is the site where Allah “blessed the surroundings.” The entire enclosure (including the Dome of the Rock) is often called al-Haram ash-Sharif. Muslims cherish Al-Aqsa not only as a building but as a living symbol of Prophetic heritage. According to tradition, many Prophets — from Prophet Adam عليه السلام and Prophet Ibrahim عليه السلام to Prophet Musa عليه السلام, Prophet Dawud عليه السلام, and Prophet Sulayman عليه السلام — worshipped or rebuilt here, linking generations of faith. Even Prophet Adam عليه السلام is traditionally credited with initially establishing worship on this site, and Prophet Ibrahim عليه السلام is said in many sources to have rebuilt aspects of the sacred precinct. These narratives underscore Al-Aqsa’s deep roots in the Islamic historical imagination.

Islamic tradition teaches that the first mosque ever built was the Ka‘bah in Makkah, and forty years later Allah guided Prophet Adam عليه السلام to build Masjid al-Aqsa according to some reports. One authentic hadith reports: “Abu Dharr رضي الله عنه asked the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, ‘Which mosque was built first on earth?’ He said, ‘The Sacred Mosque.’ He asked, ‘Then which?’ He said, ‘Then the Aqsa Mosque.’ He asked, ‘How many years between them?’ He said, ‘Forty years…’” This highlights Al-Aqsa’s status as one of the earliest places dedicated to worship. Over time, various Prophets are said to have strengthened the Masjid. For example, Prophet Dawud عليه السلام is credited with major construction on the sanctuary and his son Prophet Sulayman عليه السلام completed it. Their devotion further sanctifies the site as one “where prophets once stood.”

The Islamic conquests brought Masjid al-Aqsa fully into Muslim care. In 637 CE, Caliph ʿUmar ibn al-Khattāb رضي الله عنه entered Jerusalem and prayed in a modest prayer-house on the site, symbolically opening it to Islamic worship. Over the next century the Umayyad Caliphs transformed Al-Aqsa into a grand congregational mosque. Caliph ʿAbd al-Malik ibn Marwān رحمه الله (r. 685–705) and his son al-Walīd I رحمه الله (r. 705–715) completed much of the spacious stone mosque with its notable dome. Islamic historical sources note that al-Walīd “finished [the mosque] by 705 CE,” forming an architectural ensemble with the nearby Dome of the Rock. Earthquakes in 746 CE and again in 1033 CE severely damaged the building; Abbasid rulers (such as al-Manṣūr رحمه الله) and later the Fatimid caliphs (including al-Zāhir رحمه الله) rebuilt and refurbished it. By the 11th century, much of the floorplan and archways visible today date from these restorations.

In 1099 the Crusaders seized Jerusalem and converted Al-Aqsa into a palace and church. This occupation ended in 1187 when Salah al-Dīn al-Ayyūbī رحمه الله (Saladin) liberated the city; he restored Masjid al-Aqsa as a center of Muslim worship. Over the following centuries, Ayyubid, Mamluk, and Ottoman rulers preserved and embellished it. For example, the Ottomans added minarets and repaired damage, ensuring continuity of Islamic stewardship. Today, despite modern geopolitical challenges, Masjid al-Aqsa remains under the custodianship of the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf and continues to welcome Muslims for prayer.

Masjid al-Aqsa holds profound religious importance in Islam. Initially, it served as the first qibla (direction of prayer) for Muslims. For about thirteen to fourteen months after the Hijrah, Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم and his companions رضي الله عنهم faced Jerusalem in prayer. The Qur’an alludes to this period and its change in Surah al-Baqarah (2:144): “We have certainly seen you turning your face toward heaven, and now We shall turn you to a qibla that is pleasing to you… Wherever you are, turn your faces toward al-Masjid al-Haram.” Islamic tradition notes that Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم led prayers toward Al-Aqsa until He was instructed to face the Ka‘bah.

The most celebrated event linking Al-Aqsa to Islamic belief is the Isra and Mi‘rāj (Night Journey and Ascension). The Qur’an explicitly mentions this: “Exalted is He who took His Servant by night from al-Masjid al-Haram to al-Masjid al-Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed…” (17:1). According to authentic ḥadīth, Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم led the earlier Prophets in prayer at Masjid al-Aqsa during that night journey, symbolizing its role as a meeting point of Prophethood. In honor of this, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم taught that Masjid al-Aqsa is one of the three mosques which Muslims should strive to visit. He said, “Do not undertake a journey to visit any mosque except three: my mosque [in Madinah], the Sacred Mosque [in Makkah], and Masjid al-Aqsa.” (Sahih Muslim). This ḥadīth underscores Al-Aqsa’s special place among the world’s mosques.

Another prophetic reminder is that visiting or safeguarding Al-Aqsa is akin to honoring the entire Muslim community’s heritage. Its survival through centuries of upheaval is seen by many believers as a sign of faith’s resilience.

The sacred stories of Masjid al-Aqsa are preserved in the Qur’an and Prophetic traditions. To truly grasp their depth, many seek knowledgeable instruction in the Qur’anic text and Islamic history. Al Quran Companion offers certified, one-on-one Qur’an courses (Tajwīd, Tafsīr, Ḥifẓ, Arabic Foundation, etc.) where students can explore these topics under expert guidance. For example, a Tajwīd course at Al Quran Companion teaches the proper articulation of Arabic letters so that a student can recite verses like 17:1 accurately. Their Tafsīr course provides verse-by-verse explanations and historical context, enabling learners to understand the background of passages about Al-Aqsa. Instructors with ijāzah credentials explain linguistic nuances and classical scholarly interpretations.

Al Quran Companion’s platform includes modern learning tools to support students’ journeys: progress tracking, recorded sessions, a mobile app, certificates, free trial sessions, family discounts, and 24/7 student support. These features make it easier for learners worldwide to deepen their connection to the Qur’an and to historic sites like Masjid al-Aqsa through guided study and practice.

In this spirit, understanding Al-Aqsa’s story becomes part of our ongoing learning. Whether by memorizing Surah al-Isra, reflecting on the Prophetic ḥadīth about the three masājid, or by studying with a qualified teacher, each effort is an act of faith. Through guided study—with, for example, a certified teacher from Al Quran Companion—the lessons of Masjid al-Aqsa continue to inspire and educate generations of Muslims.

Sources: The above summary is drawn from the Qur’an (e.g., 17:1; 2:144), authentic Hadith collections (e.g., Sahih Muslim), and well-documented Islamic historical accounts.