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Why was Jerusalem important to Muslims after the Arab conquest?
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Palestine
View from a small valley with a stream between large hills of olive groves.
Following the Arab conquest of Jerusalem in 638 CE, the city gained profound religious significance for Muslims, eventually becoming revered as the third holiest site in Islam.1
The city's importance is centered on the Al-Ḥaram al-Sharīf (the Noble Sanctuary), which holds two primary Islamic landmarks:
- Al-Aqṣā Mosque: According to Islamic tradition, the Prophet Muhammad was miraculously transported here from Mecca during his Isrāʾ (night journey), where he led other prophets in prayer.23
- Dome of the Rock: Built by the Umayyad caliph ʿAbd al-Malik ibn Marwān in the late 7th century, this shrine marks the site from which Muslims believe Muhammad ascended to heaven during the Miʿrāj (ascension).23
Beyond these specific events, the construction of the Dome of the Rock served to establish Islam as the successor to the Abrahamic tradition, with its architecture and inscriptions emphasizing the unity of God and challenging competing theological doctrines. Consequently, Jerusalem became a destination for individual pilgrimage, serving as an optional complement to the hajj.21