An Islamic Structure, That Should Be Free

Everybody should have known the three most sacred places in Islam. Yes, if you're a Muslim. Those are Mecca, Medina, and the third is a place which mentioned in one of Qur'an Ayah as the place where Rasulullah had done "The Night Journey" or known as “Isra Mi’raj”, Al Aqsa Mosque in Old City of Jerusalem.

            المسجد الاقصى is translated into English as “The Farthest Mosque” also known as Bayt Al Muqaddas. The mosque was originally a small prayer house built by the Rashidun caliph Umar, but was rebuilt and expanded by the Umayyad caliph Abd al-Malik and finished by his son al-Wadid. Some re-constructions had done caused by earthquakes and occupation. Today the Old City is under Israeli control, but the mosque remains under the administration of the Jordanian/Palestinian-led Islamic waqf.

            It is known that the current construction of the al-Aqsa Mosque is dated to early Umayyad period of rule in Palestine and is believed there was a possibility that the second caliph of the Rashidun Caliphate, Umar ibn al-Khattab had begun the construction as a small mosque only for 3,000 worshipers somewhere on the Haram ash-Sharif. Then the mosque was being reconstructed and expanded by the caliph Abd al-Malik in 690 CE along with the Dome of the Rock.

                The rectangular al-Aqsa Mosque and it precincts are 144,000 square metres, although the mosque itself is about 35,000 square metres and could hold up to 5,000 worshipers. It is 272 feet long and 184 feet wide.

                Unlike the Dome of the Rock which reflects classical Byzantine architecture, the al-Aqsa Mosque is characteristic of early Islamic architecture. The dome is totally changed from the original dome built by Abd al-Malik since it was being reconstructed for several times. The dome that was built by az-Zahir consists of wood plated with lead enamelwork. Then, in 1969 the dome was reconstructed in concrete and covered with anodized aluminum instead of the original ribbed lead enamel work sheeting. In 1983 th aluminum outer covering was replaced with lead to match the original design by az-Zahir.

                The mosque has four minarets on the southern, northern and western sides. The first one known as al-Fakhariyya Minaret was built in 1278 on the western corner of the mosque. It named after the father of Sharif al-Din Abd al-Rahman, Fakhr al-Di al-Khalili. It was built in traditional Syrian style, with a square shaped base divede by molding into three floors which two lines of muqarnas decorated the muezzin’s balcony. The niche is surrounded by a square chamber that ends a lead-covered stone dome.

                The second, known as the Ghawanima minaret, was built at the northwestern corner which has six stories high, it is the tallest minaret of the Noble Sanctuary. It almost entirely made of stone. Its firm structure made it nearly untouched by earthquakes. It divided into several stories. The stairway is externally located in the first two floors but then become internal spiral structure from the third floor until it reaches the muezzin’s balcony.

                The third minaret called the Bab al-SIlsila Minaret located in the western border of the al-Aqsa Mosque. It is built in the traditional Syrian square tower type and made entirely out of stone that possibly replacing an earlier Umayyad minaret. Since 16^th-century, it has been tradition that the best muezzin is assigned to this minaret.

                Then, the last and the most notable minaret was built in 1367 is known as Minarat al-Asbat. It is composed of a cylindrical stone shaft. The shaft narrows above the muezzin’s balcony and is dotted with circular windows and ended with bulbous dome.

                The facade of the mosque was crowned with a balustrade consisting of arcades and small columns. The facade’s was covering with tiles. There are fourteen stone arches along he facade, most of them are Romanesque style. The entrance to the mosque is through the facade’s central arch.

                The al-Aqsa Mosque has seven aisles with several additional small halls to the west and east of the southern section of the building. There are 121 stained glass windows. The interior is supported by 45 columns, 33 of which are white marble and 12 of stone. The ceiling of the mosque was painted with funding by King Farouk of Egypt. The minbar was made of ivory and carefully crafted wood with Arabic calligraphy, geometrical and floral designs in its woodwork.

                The mosque’s main ablution fountain known as al-Kas that means the cup is located north of the mosque between it and the Dome of the Rock. It is used by worshipers to perform wudu before entry into the mosque.

                Al-Aqsa Mosque is totally amazing structure of Islamic architecture. But unfortunately, now it is being occupied by Israeli and the Palestinians are trying to keep it with all of theirs. It is such an amazing Islamic structure that should be free.

                Free Palestine. Free al-Aqsa! 

source : 

http://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masjid_Al-Aqsa
http://spacetimefactor.wordpress.com/
http://malai-ur.blogspot.com/2010/12/al-masjidul-aqsa-site-plan.html