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According to tradition, the Dome was built to honor the Lord, while some claim the caliph also wanted to build a shrine to rival Mecca. Located in what Muslims call the Noble Sanctuary -- which Jews call the Temple Mount -- it remains one of the best known landmarks of Jerusalem.
The rock in the center of the dome is believed by Muslims to be the spot from which Muhammad was brought by night and from which he ascended through the heavens to God (See Miraj). Accompanied by the angel Gabriel, he was consulted by MosesMusa is the Arabic name for the Biblical prophet Moses. According to the Quran, Musa is one of the prophets of Islam. Early Years According to the Quran, Musa was born into a family of Israelites that lived in Egypt. At this time, the Pharaoh was a tyrant and given the obligatory Islamic prayers before returning to earth. It is a holy place to Muslims. The Jews believe this place to be the location where AbrahamAbraham "Father/Leader of many", Standard Hebrew Avraham Tiberian Hebrew Arhm Arabic Ibrhim is the patriarch of Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. His story is told in the Book of Genesis. Islam also regards him as the ancestor of the Bedouins, through Ish almost sacrificed his son IsaacIsaac or Yitzhak "He will laugh. Standard Hebrew Yiaq Tiberian Hebrew Yiq Arabic Isq is a biblical patriarch, the son and heir of Abraham and the father of Jacob and Esau. His story is told in the Book of Genesis. Isaac was so called because when his moth at the command of the Lord, where JacobAngel Gustave Dore, 1855 Jacob or Ya'akov "Holder of the heel", Standard Hebrew Yaaqov Tiberian Hebrew Yaaqo Arabic Yaqub , later known as Israel "Prince with God", Standard Hebrew Yisrael Tiberian Hebrew Yisrel Arabic Isril is a biblical patriarch. His s saw the ladder to heaven, and within the boundaries of the innermost chamber of the Jewish TempleThe Jerusalem Temple ( Hebrew: beit ha-mikdash was the center of Israelite and Jewish worship, primarily for the offering of sacrifices known as the korbanot''. It was located on Jerusalem's Temple Mount. According to the Bible, the First Temple was built. Other Jewish traditions say it is the spot where the first stone was laid in the building of the world.
Essentially unchanged for more than thirteen centuries, the Dome of the Rock remains one of the world's most beautiful and enduring architectural treasures. The gold covered dome stretches 20 metres across the Noble Rock, rising to an apex more than 35 metres above it. The Qur'anThe Qur'an ( Arabic al-qurn also transliterated as Quran Koran and less commonly Alcoran is the holy book of Islam. Muslims believe that the Qur'an is the literal word of God and culmination of God's revelation to mankind, revealed to the Prophet Muhammadic verse 'Ya Sin' is inscribed across the top in the dazzling tile work commissioned in the 16th century15th century 16th century 17th century more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 16th century was that century which lasted from 1501 to 1600. Events Beginning of the " Little Ice Age" a cooling period that resulted in lower crop yi by Suleiman the Magnificent. The sura al-Ikhlas (Purity)] which denounces what Muslims regard as the principle Christian errors is also inscribed there. In 1993, the golden dome covering was replaced due to rust and wear.
During the Crusades, Knights Templar had their spiritual headquarters in it. It was thought to be a remnant of the Temple of Jerusalem. As such, it appeared in one of the seals of the Knights and was a model for Templar churches across Europe.
According to Martin Gray, it is:
The Temple Mount and Eretz Yisrael Faithful Movement wish to relocate the Dome to Mecca and replace it with a Third Temple. Since the Dome is built around the Rock where Muslims believe the Prophet rose to heaven, its purpose would be defeated if moved. To Muslims, such an act would be equivalent to razing the structure to the ground and they therefore oppose it.