Why is the rock beneath the Dome of the Rock sacred in Islamic tradition?

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The Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, Israel, features a large gold dome and ornate blue and gold exterior, set against a backdrop of densely packed stone buildings. — Dome of the Rock Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem.

In Islamic tradition, the rock beneath the Dome of the Rock is considered sacred because it is believed to be the site from which the Prophet Muhammad ascended into heaven to encounter God, an event known as the Miʿrāj.1