2/24/2011

Topics covered

- Early Islamic Jerusalem

- The End of Byzantine Jerusalem

- After Muhammad

- Sectarian Division

- Islamic terms for Jerusalem

- Jerusalem in Islam

- The Kaaba in Mecca

- The 5 Pillars of Islam

- Umayyad Jerusalem

- Early Islamic Palaces and Administrative buildings

- History of the Dome of the Rock

- DotR’s model: Byzantine Martyria

- Traditions about the Dome of the Rock

- Muhammad;s Night Journey

- Domes of the Chain

- Al-Aqsa Mosque

The Dome of the Rock was commissioned in 687 CE and was completed in 691 CE. When the crusaders came and conquered Jerusalem, they converted it into a church and put a cross on the top of it, however, when Saladin re-conquered Jerusalem in 1187, he restored the Dome of the Rock. Today, however, it is not a mosque and just a shrine. It is believed, that under the Dome of Rock is the rock upon which Abraham was going to sacrifice Isaac (or Ishmael in the Muslim tradition). It is also believed, that the rock is where the Holy of Holies stood during the time of the Temples. Another tradition is that this was a stop on Muhammad’s night journey and from the rock, he leapt to heaven on the back of his winged horse. It is also thought to be the place of final judgment.

When the religion of Islam first began, there were immediately sectarian divisions based on support and followers. The supporters of Ali formed the “Shi’atu Ali” who became the “Shi’ites.” Those who supported Mu’awiya formed “the People of Tradition” or the Sunna. They became the “Sunnis.” Under Muslim rule in Jerusalem, the Jews were not allowed to settle. Eventually Jews were allowed to move back into the city,   and when they did, the population began to grow.