The Dome of the Rock is considered the second most sacred site in the Islamic World second to the Kaaba at Mecca. The Dome of the rock is actually not considered. Muslims believe the Dome of the Rock is the location of the miracle of Mi’raj and Isra. The buildings construction was completed in 691 CE and is believed to take it’s octagonal shape from Byzantine architecture of the time period. Located at the center of the Temple Mount, it was constructed on top of the site of the Second Jewish Temple. Access to the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock is extremely restricted especially to non-Muslims.
The Dome of the Rock covers the Foundation Stone which is believed to be the location where Mohammed traveled in the Night Journey. The Foundation Stone is also believed by Jews to be the spiritual confluence of Heaven and Earth. The stone is believed by Jews to be the site of the Holiest of Holies of the Jewish Temple.
Inside the Dome of the Rock are various Qur’anic inscriptions on both the outer and inner octagonal arcade. The inscriptions depict various verses of the Qur’an, specifically those explaining the fallacy of christianity and assuaging beliefs that Jesus was the son of God.
Quranic Inscriptions on the Outer and Inner Octagonal Arcade of the Dome of the Rock:
The inscriptions are selection of the Qur’an as well as pious phrases, supplications, and references to the construction of the Dome of the Rock. These combinations reflect the different schools of opinion on how to translate the Qur’an itself.
Outer Arcade:
“In the name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful…”
“No god exists but God alone, indivisible without peer. Say, God is one, God is central- birthing no child, nor birthed in turn- nothing and no one is comparable.”
“Muhammed is a messenger of God, the Lord God bless him.”
“In the name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful… No God exists but God alone, indivisible without peer. Muhammed is a messenger of God. Angels and Allah, all praise the Prophet. So you who consider yourself a believer, go ahead, honor and pray for him too.”
“In the name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful… No god exists but God alone, indivisible. Praise be to God who never fathered a child. No peer exists in all of creation, nor has God need of counsel. In every way elevate and magnify God.”
“Muhammad is a messenger of God; The Lord God bless him, and God’s angels and all the messengers bless and invoke peace upon him, by the grace of God.”
“In the name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful…. No god exists but God alone, indivisible without peer. All things unto God and unto God all praise. The Lord giveth life, giveth death- the power of all things made possible.”
“Muhammed is a messenger of God. May the Lord God bless him and, come the Day of Resurrection, accept his intercession on behalf of his own community.”
“In the name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful…. No god exist but God alone, indivisible and without peer. Muhammed is a messenger of God. The Lord God bless him.”
“The servant of God And [Allah the Imam Al-Ma’ mun], commander of the Faithful, built this dome in the year seventy-two. May God accept it from him and be satisfied with him. Amen.”
“Lord of the two worlds- All praise goes to God.”
Inner Arcade:
“In the name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful…. No god exists but God alone, indivisible and without peer. All things unto God and unto God all praise. The Lord giveth life, giveth death- the power of all things made possible.”
Muhammed is a servant and messenger too! Angels and Allah, all praise the Prophet. So you who consider yourself a believer, go ahead, honor and pray for him too. God has prayed for the Prophet Muhammad, so peace and God’s blessings be upon him, by the grace of God.
“O people of the Book! Don’t be excessive in the name of your faith! Do not say things about God but the truth! The Messiah Jesus, son of Mary, is indeed a messenger go God: The Almighty extended a world to Mary, and a spirit too. “
“So believe in God and all the messengers, and stop talking about a Trinity. Cease in your own best interests! Verily God is the God of Unity. Lord Almighty! that God would beget a child? either in the Heavens or on the Earth?”
“God alone is the best protector.”
“Neither Christ nor the angels in heaven scorn servitude and worship of God. Whosoever looks down upon worship, considering it something beneath him… they will be swept unto God in the end.”
“O God, bless your messenger and servant, Jesus son of Mary. Peace be upon him the day he was born, the day he dies, and the day he is raised again. Say only the truth about Jesus over whom you dispute: he is the son of Mary! It is not fitting that God should beget or father a child. Glory be unto God!”
“When God ordains a matter God merely says to it, ‘BE’, and it is.”
“God is indeed my Lord as well as your Lord. So serve and worship your Lord: this is the straight path of righteousness.
“Verily God witnessed: there is no god but God! The angels and those endowed with knowledge of fairness declare: No god exists but God alone, all-cherished, all wise!”
“The religion before God is Surrender: the people who were given the Books did not argue about this until after receiving knowledge and the became envious of one another.”
“Whosoever denies the signs of God…God is swift in judgement.”
The combination of Qur’anic verses as well as other sayings particularly politically charged words shows the way in which the revelation is viewed through a geographical, political and historical context.
Other Resources:
THE REVELATION IN ARCHITECTURE 