Dual Significance of the Dome of the Rock
The Dome of the Rock, located in the Muslim Quarter in the Old City of Jerusalem, is one of the world’s most famous and recognizable holy sites. Its golden dome is a beacon to everyone in Jerusalem, and it holds significant religious importance for Muslims, Jews, and Christians alike. Today it is only really seen as a religious pilgrimage site for Muslims, but at the time of its construction, it served two purposes, one religious and one political.
Constructed between 695-691 CE by Abd al-Malik ibn Marwān(Britannica 1), the Dome of the Rock is located on top of the Noble Rock. The Noble Rock is the spot where Muslims believe the Prophet Muhammad ascended into the Heavens on the night of Ascension(Adam 4). Islam is not the only religion that has a connection to this site though. In Judaism, the Noble Rock is also known as the Foundation Stone, where Jews believe the creation of the world began. Both Jews and Christians believe that this is also the site where Abraham was going to sacrifice his son Issac(Adam 6), in addition to being the site of the former Temple of Jerusalem. Given all of this religious importance, it is not surprising that Abd al-Malik chose this to be the spot of the Dome of the Rock and why he chose to have it built, but this religious importance is not the only reason for its construction. The Dome of the Rock also served as a symbol of power and domination for the Umayyad Caliphate and the Islamic faith in general. Abd al-Malik recognized how important the site was to the other two religions and decided that a religious monument at this spot would show “ Islam’s power and sophistication and mak[e] an implicit case for its superiority as a result”(Roller 2).
So, the Dome of the Rock was constructed for two main reasons, first as a site of genuine religious importance to the Islamic faith and a sign of its strength, and the second a statement of power and superiority to the Jewish and Christian faiths.
Image Source:
https://www.historyhit.com/locations/dome-of-the-rock/
Citations:
Adam, Aisha. “Three Reasons Why the Dome of the Rock Is so Significant.” Muslim Hands South Africa, 4 Mar. 2021, muslimhands.org.za/latest/2021/03/three-reasons-why-the-dome-of-the-rock-is-so-significant.
Britannica. “Dome of the Rock Summary.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., www.britannica.com/summary/Dome-of-the-Rock. Accessed 28 Feb. 2024.
Constructed between 695-691 CE by Abd al-Malik ibn Marwān(Britannica 1), the Dome of the Rock is located on top of the Noble Rock. The Noble Rock is the spot where Muslims believe the Prophet Muhammad ascended into the Heavens on the night of Ascension(Adam 4). Islam is not the only religion that has a connection to this site though. In Judaism, the Noble Rock is also known as the Foundation Stone, where Jews believe the creation of the world began. Both Jews and Christians believe that this is also the site where Abraham was going to sacrifice his son Issac(Adam 6), in addition to being the site of the former Temple of Jerusalem. Given all of this religious importance, it is not surprising that Abd al-Malik chose this to be the spot of the Dome of the Rock and why he chose to have it built, but this religious importance is not the only reason for its construction. The Dome of the Rock also served as a symbol of power and domination for the Umayyad Caliphate and the Islamic faith in general. Abd al-Malik recognized how important the site was to the other two religions and decided that a religious monument at this spot would show “ Islam’s power and sophistication and mak[e] an implicit case for its superiority as a result”(Roller 2).
So, the Dome of the Rock was constructed for two main reasons, first as a site of genuine religious importance to the Islamic faith and a sign of its strength, and the second a statement of power and superiority to the Jewish and Christian faiths.
Image Source:
https://www.historyhit.com/locations/dome-of-the-rock/
Citations:
Adam, Aisha. “Three Reasons Why the Dome of the Rock Is so Significant.” Muslim Hands South Africa, 4 Mar. 2021, muslimhands.org.za/latest/2021/03/three-reasons-why-the-dome-of-the-rock-is-so-significant.
Britannica. “Dome of the Rock Summary.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., www.britannica.com/summary/Dome-of-the-Rock. Accessed 28 Feb. 2024.
Roller, Sarah. “Dome of the Rock: Why Its Location Is Central to Muslims and Jews.” History Hit, History Hit, 24 Nov. 2020, www.historyhit.com/locations/dome-of-the-rock/.
Nice post about how sacred space and politics have long been connected.
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