Al Aqsa mosque is the third largest mosque in the world.
-Surface area of 144000 sqm
-Surface area equivalent to 17% of the old fortified city
-Capacity to accommodate 500000 worshipers
-Al Aqsa mosque was before 1995 the largest mosque in the world
-During years 1950-1960 Masjid Al Haram in Mecca and Masjid Nabawi in Madina have been extended
-Al Aqsa mosque surface area looks like an irregular polygon
-West side length is 491m east side is 462m north side 310m and south side is 281m
• Masjid Al Haram surface area: 400800 sqm
• Masjid Nabawi surface area: 235000 sqm
• Masjid Al Aqsa surface area: 144000 sqm
-Al Aqsa mosque is unique in the world by its quadrilateral shape and as well by its elements and outbuildings.
-It is the second mosque built on Earth after Masjid Al Haram in Mecca.
-Al Aqsa is the place of the Ascent (Al Miraj) of our beloved Prophet Muhammad.
-This mosque has a great religious importance in Islam.
-It is then very important to remind that geographical limits of Al Aqsa mosque didn’t change throughout centuries.
-Indeed Al Aqsa mosque has never had any extension since it has been built on Earth.
-In its heart more than two hundred edifices: fountains trees domes lodges schools basins minarets doors wells and libraries.
-The esplanade has also to be mentioned as it is an integral part of Al Aqsa mosque.
-The Dome of the Rock (Qubat Sakhra) is located in the heart of Al Aqsa.
-Masjid Al Qibli (The Dome of Lead) is also part of Al Aqsa. It is located on the south on Qibla side.
-Masjid Al Qibli is one part of Al Aqsa and it is often wrongly taken for being Al Aqsa on its own.
Masjid Al Aqsa is the name of the whole area enclosed by the 4 walls surrounding the two Masajid of Masjid-e-Qibly and Qubbat-As-Sakhrah (Dome of the Rock).
Both Masajid are in the compound of Masjid Al Aqsa which is the size of 13 football pitches (35 acres). Masjid-e-Qibly is the Masjid where the 5 daily Salaah is led.
In the compound there are 200 monuments including Masjid-e-Qibly and Qubbat-As-Sakhrah (Dome of the Rock) other prayer halls schools fountains and libraries.
The reward of praying anywhere in the compound of Masjid Al Aqsa is increased 500 times more than any (Masjid) elsewhere.
Abu Darda (ra) relates that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said “A prayer in Makkah (Ka’bah) is worth 100000 times (reward) a prayer in my Masjid (Madinah) is worth 1000 times and a prayer in Al-Aqsa Sanctuary is worth 500 times more reward than anywhere else”.
(MuslimTV Monde – Peace in the world)
