"...A mosque whose foundation was laid from the first day on piety is more worthy of your standing forth for prayer therein. In it, are men who loved to be purified; and God loves those who make themselves pure." (Qur'an 9:108)
The message of Islam gave birth to unparalleled artistic and architectural genius that can only be explained as little else than divine inspiration. Deep faith and love for the Almighty fueled the architects behind arguably the most remarkable and awe-inspiring monuments the world has ever seen. These unearthly masterpieces, although not all mosques, represent the best and some of the most sacred of the Islamic world. The monuments showcase the unyielding faith Muslim architects held within their hearts and their ultimate devotion and honor to God.
Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem --
Built 687 (finished 691). Dome of the Rock was built by Caliph Abdul Malik ibn Marwan to commemorate Prophet Muhammad’s ascension into the heavens. Inside the Dome of the Rock, in the middle of the mosque, is the rock from which Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) stood before he ascended to heaven. Prayers made in this mosque are equal to 500 prayers.
Read:The Dome of the Rock: the Atypical Mosque
Al-Aqsa Mosque, Jerusalem – In 693 construction of Al-Aqsa mosque begins by Caliph Abdul Malik bin Marwan, and is completed by his son Caliph Al Waleed in 705. The Al-Aqsa mosque was built forty years after the Al-Haram mosque in Mecca, making Al-Aqsa mosque the second mosque created on Earth. Prayers made in this mosque are equal to 500 prayers.
Ka’ba (the house of God), Mecca – The first of the three holiest sites in Islam, the direction of prayer for Muslims, and the center of the world. The mihrabs (the visual or architectural peak, arched niche) of all mosques are aligned with the Ka'ba so that all Muslims pray in the direction of Mecca. Tradition goes that the Kaaba was ordained by Allah to be built in the shape of the House in Heaven called Baitul Ma’amoor. The traditional belief that it was first laid by Adam and then built by Abraham and Ishmael was confirmed by the Qur’an. During the early years of Prophet Muhammad before he announced his prophecy, the Ka’aba was damaged by floods and it was rebuilt again.
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