Why is the term Al-Aqsa Mosque sometimes used for the whole plaza containing the Dome of the Rock?

The term Al-Aqsa Mosque is frequently used to refer to the entire plaza in Jerusalem that contains both the mosque itself and the Dome of the Rock. While the plaza is formally known as Al-Haram al-Sharif ("the Noble Sanctuary"), the name of the mosque is often extended to encompass the whole compound.12

This usage reflects the deep religious significance of the site, which is associated with the Prophet Muhammad’s miraculous night journey (Isra) from Mecca to the "farther place of worship" (al-masjid al-aqsa) in Jerusalem. Because the entire plaza is considered a sacred space, the name of the specific mosque located at its southern end is commonly applied to the broader area, including the shrine of the Dome of the Rock.12