What is the reward for praying in Al-Aqsa Mosque?

According to some sources, a prayer in the Al-Aqsa Mosque is worth 500 prayers prayed elsewhere. However, it is important to note that the reward of prayer is not measured in quantity but in quality. The reward of prayer is based on the sincerity and devotion of the worshipper.

The name “Al-Aqsa” means “the farthest mosque” and comes from a story in the Quran called “The Night Journey”. In the story, Prophet Muhammad travels from Mecca to Jerusalem, where he ascends to heaven and meets with other prophets before returning to Mecca.

The English term “Al-Aqsa Mosque” is the translation of both “al-Masjid al-Aqṣā” and “Jāmiʿ al-Aqṣā,” which have distinct meanings in Arabic. “Al-Masjid al-Aqṣā” refers to the entire compound known as the Temple Mount or Haram al-Sharif, encompassing the mosque itself.

The history of Al-Aqsa Mosque is a testament to the endurance of faith and architectural innovation. The mosque’s foundations date back to the Second Jewish Temple, expanded by King Herod the Great in 20 BCE.

However, the present-day mosque, with its distinctive silver dome, was likely built by the Umayyad caliph Abd al-Malik or his successor al-Walid I. These two structures, Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock, were designed to form an architecturally coherent ensemble.

The mosque is situated on the Temple Mount, which is also known as Haram al-Sharif. The compound contains several other important religious sites, including the Dome of the Rock, which is believed to be the spot where Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven.