Caliph Abd–Al–Malika had the Dome of the Rock built on the same place where the Temple of Jerusalem had stood.The temple, stood in the centre of the sacred site on Mount Moraih.

According to tradition, Muhammad first selected Jerusalem as the qibla, the direction the faithful should face during prayer.

Later, the prophet redirected his followers to face the city of Mecca when praying, to symbolize Islam's independence from the other monotheistic religions that had chosen Jerusalem as their most holy city.

In the late seventh century, however, Chaliph Abd El-Malik wanted to discourage his followers from making the pilgrimage to Mecca because he feared that they might fall under the influence of one of his Muslim rivals. He, therefore, constructed the Dome in the hopes of establishing Jerusalem as the major Muslim pilgrimage destination, so that he could keep his followers and attract new ones.

• Above the surrounding stone-paved platform.

• It is supported by a circular arcade of four piers and twelve columns.

• Surrounding this circle is an octagonal arcade of eight piers and sixteen columns, which help support the dome. • The outer wall repeats this octagon, each of the eight sides being about 18 meters wide and 8 meters high.

• Both the dome and the exterior walls contain many windows.

• The central octagonal plan is 54m in diameter• The Cuppola, rises to height of 30m. • The facades of the octagon, facing the four cardinal points have doors with porches. • The largest facing south, has a porch supported by 8 paired columns, in 2 rows on either side of the entrance • Dominating the sacred rock, and supported on a drum, is the DOME- Suggestive of the horseshoe arch, rises high above. • Inside there is a Double Ambulatory, used for ritual circumambulation . These ring like spaces are bounded by concentric porches. • The outré most is Octagonal and runs parallel to the walls of the buildings. • On each wall of the Octagon, there are two columns between the corner and pillar. • Portico – comprises of 8 pillars and 16 columns. • Interior Portico – Circular, having 4 pillars – Between which there are 3 columns supporting 4 arches on either side.

PLANNING N

• Thus there 12 shafts, along with pillars, supporting 16 arches surrounding the rock. • Above this arcade is the high cylindrical drum on which the dome rests. • It has been noted that the concentric arcades are laid out in the figure of an external circles with radius – 26.87m, Inside which are inscribed 2 square set at 45° angles. • The intersecting point of these squares describes the Inner Circle with radius-20.56m. • By connecting them vertically and horizontally, new intersection are made describing a circle, which corresponds to the outlines of the inner arcade with radius-11.13.

• Through the ritual of circumambulation, the pilgrim experiences the squaring of the circle, the union of body & soul.

• On top of the cylindrical drum, which emerges from the octagon, rises the proud dome Gilded copper roofing • Dome was made with two wooden frames, one inside the other. • Prophet rose from the rock to the heavens, leaving an imprint of his foot in the central row. • The outer shell, slightly raised and salient.• Constrains an inner shelf which is strictly hemispherical

• Use of wood other than stone comes from the Syrian builder. • This allows creation of light structures, which is span large spaces.• Is supported by an arcade with alternating black and white arch stones.

THE DOME

• The exterior of the octagon was redone in Polychrome Tiles-blue Colour dominates. • Coloured Marbles columns rest on Cube – Shaped Bases. • Walls and arcades - mosaics depicting vines and branches on a gold background. • Floral compositions are abundant, only Plant Motifs, no human figures.

• Reused ancient columns capitals with blossoming corbeils• Instead, the shrine conveys its own message through color and shape.• In Islamic art, blue, the color of the sky, suggests infinity, while gold represents the color of the knowledge of God. • The shape of the dome itself is a powerful symbol of the soaring ascent to heaven, its circle representing the wholeness and balance essential to the Muslim faith.

Elements Of Decoration

• Extensive decoration from a variety of periods, including mosaics, painted wood, marble, multi-colored tiles, carpets, and carved stone, covers most of the exterior and interior of the building.

• Many of the 45,000 blue and gold exterior tiles were installed in the 1500s.

• Inside, 1,280 square meters of elaborate mosaics cover the walls that enshrine the mystical rock under the dome.

WALLS • Veneer of polished marble in geometric patterns. • Sparsely decorated Mirhab.

WINDOWS• Of the octagon were originally lined with finely carved marble screens (CLAUSTRA). • Later polychromes, stained – glass set in plaster lattice work.