Al-Aqsa Mosque

Al-Aqsa Mosque is a mosque in Jerusalem’s Old City, on the Haram al-Sharif (Temple Mount) compound.

Al-Aqsa Mosque is a mosque located in Jerusalem’s Old City, on the Haram al-Sharif (Temple Mount) compound. In Islam, it is associated with the Prophet Muhammad’s Night Journey and is among the religion’s holiest sites. The term is also often used more broadly for the whole sanctuary complex that includes the Dome of the Rock.

Religious significance

Al-Aqsa Mosque is one of the most important Islamic holy places and is associated in Islamic tradition with Muhammad’s night journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and ascent to heaven. It is commonly described as the third holiest site in Islam after Mecca and Medina.

Location and compound

Al-Aqsa Mosque stands within the Haram al-Sharif in Jerusalem’s Old City. In many sources, the term refers not only to the prayer building but to the broader sanctuary that includes the Dome of the Rock and other structures. The name Al-Aqsa means the “farthest mosque” in Arabic.

History

Historical accounts place the site’s early Islamic origins in the 7th century, with later rebuilding and expansion under Abbasid rulers after earthquake damage. The original construction dates to the early Islamic period, though traditions vary on the exact date and patron. The mosque was damaged by an earthquake in 746 and rebuilt under Abbasid rule, with further reconstruction after an earthquake in 758 and expansion in 780. The present structure reflects multiple phases of reconstruction over time.

Modern status

The site remains an important place of worship and a focal point in Jerusalem’s political and religious disputes. Access and administration have made it a recurring issue in Israeli–Palestinian tensions. The wider sanctuary is also known as the Noble Sanctuary and includes the Dome of the Rock.