Q: Which is the Al-Aqsa Mosque?

A: Neither. It is the area edged in red (above) and comprises nearly one sixth of the walled old city of Jerusalem. 'Al-Aqsa' is the name that is used to describe the whole area surrounded by the wall at the southern-eastern end of walled old Jerusalem. The Al-Aqsa Mosque encloses over 35 acres and encompasses more than 200 buildings, domes, schools, wells, etc. The mosque with the golden dome, Masjid Qubbah Al-Sakhrah (the Dome of the Rock) and the mosque with the grey lead dome, Al Masjid Al Qibli are both part of the walled Al-Aqsa Mosque. Even if you pray under a tree or anywhere within the area edged in red shown above, you are deemed to have prayed at the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Q: What does the name 'Al-Aqsa' Mosque mean?

A: The name translates to 'the farthest' mosque, although some scholars have translated it to 'the remote' mosque. According to a verse in the Qur'an, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) took the journey in a single night from 'the sacred mosque' (in Makkah) to 'the farthest mosque' (in Jerusalem).

Q: How many gates does the Al-Aqsa Mosque have?

A: The Al-Aqsa Mosque has 5 closed gates and 10 open gates. The latter are: Asbat, Hitta, Prophets (Faisal), Ghawaima (Al Khalil), Al-Nazir, Hadeed, Qattaneen, Mutawadaa (Mutahara), Silsila and Magharibah.