📜 The Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock

The question of whether Jews will build a Third Temple on the site currently occupied by the Dome of the Rock is one of the most sensitive religious and geopolitical issues in the world. The answer depends largely on religious beliefs, historical interpretations, and political realities, and there is no single agreed-upon outcome.

Below are the main perspectives.

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☘️ 1. Jewish Religious Expectation of a Third Temple

Many religious Jews believe that a Third Temple (Beit HaMikdash) will eventually be built in Jerusalem.

Historically:

• The First Temple was built by King Solomon around the 10th century BCE.

• It was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BCE.

• The Second Temple was rebuilt by returning Jewish exiles and later expanded by Herod the Great.

• It was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE.

Both temples stood on what Jews call the Temple Mount.

For this reason, many Jewish traditions hold that the Third Temple will also stand on that same sacred location.

However, Jewish views differ about how this temple will come:

• Some believe it will be built by the Messiah.

• Others believe it will descend miraculously from heaven.

• Some modern religious groups advocate actively preparing for its construction.

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🍃 2. The Dome of the Rock and the Islamic Position

The Dome of the Rock, built in 691 CE, stands on the same elevated platform known to Muslims as Al-Haram al-Sharif (the Noble Sanctuary).

For Muslims this site is sacred because:

• It includes Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site in Islam.

• It is associated with the Night Journey (Isra and Mi’raj) of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

Because of this:

• The entire complex is considered Islamic waqf (sacred trust).

• Muslims strongly reject any proposal to replace Islamic structures with a Jewish temple.

For this reason, building a temple where the Dome of the Rock currently stands would provoke enormous religious conflict.

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🍃3. Jewish–Christian Debate About the Exact Location of the Temple

Numerous Jewish and Christian Zionist scholars argue that the ancient temples were situated at the site currently occupied by the Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount. According to this traditional view, the sacred rock beneath the Dome marks the site of the Holy of Holies, the most sacred chamber of the Temple where the Divine Presence was believed to dwell.

However, this position is not accepted by some historians and researchers, particularly in certain Christian scholarly circles. They have proposed alternative theories suggesting that the Temple may have stood at a slightly different location within the Temple Mount complex.

Today, three main theories are often discussed in scholarly debates:

1️⃣ The Traditional Rock Theory

This view holds that the Holy of Holies stood directly over the exposed bedrock now enclosed within the Dome of the Rock. This has been the dominant Jewish tradition for centuries and remains the most widely accepted view among Jewish scholars.

2️⃣ The Northern Temple Theory

Some researchers suggest that the Temple may have been located slightly north of the Dome of the Rock, leaving the Dome itself outside the precise footprint of the ancient Temple complex.

3️⃣ The Southern Temple Theory

A smaller group of scholars proposes that the Temple stood farther south, closer to the area of the Al-Aqsa Mosque or even near the City of David, arguing that certain archaeological and topographical clues support this possibility.

Because archaeological excavation on the Temple Mount is extremely restricted due to the site’s profound religious and political sensitivity, definitive evidence remains difficult to obtain. As a result, the precise location of the ancient Temple continues to be a subject of ongoing historical and archaeological discussion.

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🪴 4. Modern Political Reality

At present:

• The Temple Mount is administered by the Islamic Waqf under Jordanian oversight.

• Israel controls security around the area.

• Jewish prayer on the mount has historically been restricted, though this has gradually changed.

Building a temple on the site would require:

• Removal of existing Islamic structures

• Major political changes

• A dramatic shift in regional dynamics

At present, there are some Jewish and Christian Zionist groups who hope that the construction of the Third Temple will be realized in the near future.

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🌴 5. Islamic Eschatological Perspective

From an Islamic viewpoint, the end-times events surrounding Jerusalem are connected to the appearance of:

• Al-Masih ad-Dajjal (the Antichrist)

• The return of Prophet Isa (Jesus) عليه السلام

Some Muslim scholars believe the Dajjal may exploit the Temple Mount issue to gain followers and provoke global turmoil.

However, Islamic sources do not explicitly state that a Third Temple must be built before the appearance of the Dajjal.

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✅ In summary

• Many Jews believe a Third Temple will one day be built in Jerusalem.

• The traditional temple site is widely associated with the Temple Mount, where the Dome of the Rock currently stands.

• However, there is no consensus among Christian scholars on the exact location, and the political and religious implications make such a project extraordinarily complex.

Dome of the Rock

🕌✨ 1. Is the Dome of the Rock a Mosque?

The Dome of the Rock (Qubbat al-Ṣakhrah) is technically not a mosque, but rather a shrine built over the Sacred Rock (al-Ṣakhrah) in the late 7th century (completed 691 CE under Caliph ʿAbd al-Malik).

• It is part of the Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Ḥaram al-Sharīf compound, which includes multiple structures.

• The actual congregational mosque is the Qibli Mosque (at the southern end with the grey dome), where Friday and daily prayers are held.

• The Dome of the Rock is more of a commemorative and symbolic building, marking the spot associated with:

• The Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ ascension during the Miʿrāj (Night Journey) in Islamic tradition.

• The Foundation Stone in Jewish tradition, connected to the Temple of Solomon and the Holy of Holies.

So, while many people casually call it a “mosque,” strictly speaking it is a shrine within the Al-Aqsa sanctuary.

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🙏 2. Do People Pray Inside the Dome of the Rock?

Yes — prayer does take place inside the Dome of the Rock.

• It has a prayer area, and Muslims sometimes perform nafl (voluntary prayers) or even daily prayers inside.

• However, it is not the main site for Friday (Jumuʿah) congregational prayer — that role belongs to the Masjid al-Qibli.

• The Dome also functions as a space of spiritual reflection, and worshippers frequently recite Qur’an and supplicate inside.

Thus, while its primary role is as a shrine, it also serves as a functioning prayer space.

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✅ In summary:

• The Dome of the Rock is a shrine, not the main mosque.

• But yes, Muslims do pray inside it, though the primary congregational prayers are held at the Qibli Mosque.

🕌 Masjid Qibli

This is an image of Masjid Qibli, one of the main structures within the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem.

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📍 What is Masjid Qibli?

• Masjid Qibli (sometimes called the “Qibli Mosque”) is the large mosque building with the gray dome located on the southern side of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.

• It is often mistakenly referred to as “Al-Aqsa Mosque” itself, but in reality, Al-Aqsa refers to the entire sacred compound (also called Al-Haram Al-Sharif or Temple Mount), which includes:

• The Dome of the Rock (with the golden dome),

• Masjid Qibli (with the gray dome),

• Several other smaller mosques, domes, and religious sites.

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🕌 Why is it called Masjid Qibli?

• The word “Qibli” comes from “Qibla”, which means the direction of prayer for Muslims (towards the Kaaba in Makkah).

• This mosque is located on the southern side of the compound, closest to the Qibla direction, hence it is called Masjid Qibli.

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🕌 Architectural Features

• The mosque is identifiable by its large lead-colored dome (greyish-silver).

• Its structure is rectangular with multiple arched entrances and windows.

• Unlike the Dome of the Rock’s golden dome, Masjid Qibli’s dome is more modest and darker, making it distinguishable.

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🌍 Religious Importance

The Al-Aqsa compound itself, also known as the Haram al-Sharif (Noble Sanctuary), is the third holiest site in Islam. It's the place where the Prophet Muhammad is believed to have been miraculously transported from Mecca during the Isra and Mi'raj (Night Journey and Ascension). The compound is also revered in Judaism as the Temple Mount, the site of the First and Second Temples. The Masjid Qibli, along with the Dome of the Rock, is a central and highly visible part of this historic and religiously significant area.

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✅ In summary:

Masjid Qibli is the main prayer hall inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, located on its southern side, with a gray dome. The entire compound is known as Al-Aqsa Mosque, but Masjid Qibli is the largest indoor mosque within it.

🌍 Sham and Mecca: Two Sacred Landscapes in the Abrahamic Tradition

Sham (الـشـام) refers to the blessed region of the Levant—including Palestine, Syria, Jordan, and parts of Lebanon

✨ Across the sacred history of the Abrahamic religions, two regions stand out with profound spiritual significance: Sham (the Holy Land) and Mecca (Makkah). While both are deeply revered, their sanctity emerges through distinct theological pathways—one through direct divine declaration, and the other through prophetic supplication and fulfillment.

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📜 Source of Blessing: Declaration vs. Supplication

🌿 The land of Sham (the Holy Land) is described in the Qur’an as a region directly blessed by God Himself. In Surah 21:71, it is referred to as “the land We have blessed for all nations”, indicating an immediate and universal divine designation.

🕋 In contrast, Mecca (Makkah) becomes a blessed sanctuary through the prayer of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham). As recorded in Surah 2:126 and 14:35–37, Ibrahim دعا (supplicated) for the land to be made secure and provided with sustenance. Thus, Mecca’s blessing is not initially declared, but invoked and realized through prophetic intercession.

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⏳ Timing of Blessing: Pre-existing vs. Emergent

🌄 The Holy Land was already blessed when prophets like Abraham and Lot arrived. Its sanctity precedes their presence, suggesting a primordial sacredness embedded within the land itself.

🏜️ Mecca, however, becomes blessed after Abraham’s settlement and prayer. The transformation of a barren valley into a sacred sanctuary reflects a historical unfolding of sanctity, tied directly to prophetic action and divine response.

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🕊️ Nature of Sanctity: Inherent vs. Earned

🌍 The sanctity of Sham is inherent and universal. It is portrayed as a land blessed “for all nations,” indicating a natural, all-encompassing holiness that transcends a single people or ritual.

🕋 Mecca’s sanctity, on the other hand, is earned and cultivated. It arises through prophetic devotion, the establishment of the Kaʿbah (House of God), and the development of sacred rites such as Hajj. Its holiness is thus ritual-centered and covenantal, deeply tied to acts of worship and obedience.

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📖 Historical Role: A Land of Many Prophets vs. Final Fulfillment

🌿 Sham serves as the historical stage for numerous prophets, including Moses, Jesus, and Abraham. It is a continuum of revelation, where divine messages were repeatedly delivered to different communities.

🕋 Mecca, however, holds a unique place as the site of the Kaʿbah and the mission of the final prophet, Muhammad ﷺ. It represents the culmination of prophetic history, where the final revelation of the Qur’an was delivered.

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🔍 A Theological Reflection: Complementary, Not Contradictory

🧭 Rather than viewing Sham and Mecca in competition, a deeper theological reading suggests that they are complementary expressions of divine wisdom:

• 🌿 Sham represents divine initiative—a land chosen and blessed from the outset.

• 🕋 Mecca represents prophetic response—a land transformed through faith, prayer, and obedience.

Together, they illustrate a profound truth: God’s blessing can be both given and sought, both inherent and realized through human devotion.

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✨ Conclusion

🌙 The distinction between Sham and Mecca enriches our understanding of sacred geography in Islam. One is a land of ancient, universal blessing, while the other is a sanctuary of fulfilled prayer and final revelation. Both, however, ultimately point to the same divine source—guiding humanity across time through lands, prophets, and sacred acts.

A Qur’an-Only Analysis: What Is the Status of Sham Compared to Medina Without Hadith?

Sham (الـشـام) refers to the blessed region of the Levant—including Palestine, Syria, Jordan, and parts of Lebanon

🌍 The Blessed Land of Sham and Its Relation to Medina — A Qur’anic Perspective

To answer this properly based solely on the Qur’an (without reference to Hadith), we must distinguish between:

• 🌿 Sham (the Blessed Land) — explicitly described and repeatedly emphasized

• 🕌 Medina — not named directly, but indirectly referenced in context (as the city of the Prophet)

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🌿 1. Sham: A Land Explicitly Declared Blessed

The Qur’an clearly and repeatedly identifies Sham as a blessed region:

• Surah 21:71 — “the land We have blessed for all nations”

• Surah 21:81 — “…to the land which We had blessed…” (referring to the destination of Prophet Solomon’s wind)

• Surah 7:137 — inheritance of “the eastern and western parts of the land which We have blessed”

• Surah 17:1 — surroundings of Al-Aqsa Mosque described as “blessed”

• Surah 34:18 — blessed towns placed in continuity

✨ Key Qur’anic Features of Sham:

• 🌍 Universally blessed (for all nations, not one people)

• 🕊️ A land of prophetic history (Abraham, Moses, Jesus)

• 🌱 A place of settlement, inheritance, and continuity

• 🔄 A recurring stage of divine activity

👉 In Qur’anic terms, Sham is a divinely designated sacred geography—its blessedness is direct, inherent, and repeatedly affirmed.

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🕌 2. Medina: A City of Mission, Not Declared Blessed by Name

Unlike Sham, Medina is not explicitly named in the Qur’an as a “blessed land.”

Instead, it appears indirectly as:

• “al-Madinah” (the City) — Surah 9:101, 9:120

• The place of Hijrah (migration)

• The center of the Prophet’s community and governance

✨ Key Qur’anic Features of Medina:

• 🧭 A place of struggle (jihad, trials, hypocrisy, sincerity)

• 🏛️ A political and spiritual center of the early Muslim community

• 📖 A location of revelation and law (many Medinan surahs)

• ⚖️ A testing ground for faith

👉 Medina is functionally central, but its sanctity is not described in the Qur’an in the same explicit, geographical, or universal terms as Sham.

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⚖️ 3. The Qur’anic Relationship: Sacred Land vs. Sacred Mission

From a strictly Qur’anic lens:

🌿 Sham

• Divine initiative

• Blessed in itself

• A land of inheritance and prophecy

• Universal in scope

🕌 Medina

• Prophetic mission

• Not described as inherently blessed land

• A center of struggle, law, and community formation

• Historical rather than geographical sanctity

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🔍 4. A Deeper Theological Insight

The Qur’an seems to present two complementary dimensions of sacred history:

• 🌍 Sham → The Geography of Divine Blessing

• 🕌 Medina → The History of Divine Implementation

In other words:

🌿 Sham represents where God’s blessing is placed

🕌 Medina represents where God’s message is established and lived

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✨ Conclusion

📖 Based on the Qur’an alone:

• Sham holds a higher status in terms of explicit, inherent, and universal blessing

• Medina holds a central role in the unfolding of the final prophetic mission, but without the same explicit geographical designation of “blessed land”

🧭 Thus, the distinction is not one of superiority in faith, but of different divine functions:

• 🌿 Sham = Sacred Land (Blessed by God directly)

• 🕌 Medina = Sacred Community (Shaped through prophetic mission)

— Azahari Hassim

Founder, The World of Abrahamic Theology