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The Dome of the Rock is one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. It houses the sacred rock from where the Prophet (ﷺ) ascended to heaven (Mi’raj).
What's less known are some of the special design features in the interior.
We'll cover them in this thread (cont'd):
What's less known are some of the special design features in the interior.
We'll cover them in this thread (cont'd):
The building was commissioned by Caliph Abd al-Malik and completed in 692 CE.
The two planners were Raja ibn Haywah, a Muslim scholar and Yazid ibn Salam, a non-Arab Muslim native of Jerusalem.
A lot of thought went into how the interior was formed.
The two planners were Raja ibn Haywah, a Muslim scholar and Yazid ibn Salam, a non-Arab Muslim native of Jerusalem.
A lot of thought went into how the interior was formed.
There are 8 large pillars holding up the building on each internal corner.
These are akin to the 8 angels holding up the throne of Allah (ﷻ) as mentioned in Surah al-Haqqah of the Quran:
“…And there will bear the Throne of your Lord above them, that Day, eight (of them).”
These are akin to the 8 angels holding up the throne of Allah (ﷻ) as mentioned in Surah al-Haqqah of the Quran:
“…And there will bear the Throne of your Lord above them, that Day, eight (of them).”
Ayatul Kursi [2:255], meaning the ‘Verse of the Throne’ (referring to the throne of Allah) is written in the interior of the dome.
The whole ceiling structure is held up by the 8 supporting pillars shown above.
The whole ceiling structure is held up by the 8 supporting pillars shown above.
There are 4 large supporting pillars (like the one on the left) around the neck of the dome.
These represent the 4 seasons in the year, Spring, Summer, Autumn (Fall) and Winter.
These represent the 4 seasons in the year, Spring, Summer, Autumn (Fall) and Winter.
There are 12 slimmer columns in total around the neck of the dome.
These represent the 12 months in the year.
These represent the 12 months in the year.
There are 52 windows in total in the building, representing the 52 weeks in the year.
(These are some of the windows below the dome)
(These are some of the windows below the dome)
There are 7 mehrabs (prayer niches) situated together close to the northern entrance.
They represent the 7 days of the week.
They represent the 7 days of the week.
5 slim columns can be seen from any entrance, representing the 5 salahs. 2 are closer to the entrances making them lighter than the 3 at the back.
This reflects the timings of salah; Zohar & Asar are prayed during light hours, Fajr, Maghrib & Isha are prayed during darkness.
This reflects the timings of salah; Zohar & Asar are prayed during light hours, Fajr, Maghrib & Isha are prayed during darkness.
Also situated inside the Dome of the Rock are 3 mehrabs together.
They represent the 3 holiest places in Islam, the Ka’bah, Masjid-e-Nabwi and Masjid al-Aqsa.
They represent the 3 holiest places in Islam, the Ka’bah, Masjid-e-Nabwi and Masjid al-Aqsa.
Learn more about the Dome of the Rock and other places of Islamic heritage on our website: islamiclandmarks.com
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And follow us to get daily tweets @IslamicLandmark
