What does Al-Masjid al-Aqsa mean?
The Farthest Mosque in Jerusalem: the first qibla and the third holiest site.
Al-Masjid al-Aqsa explained
The Quran names it in the opening verse of Surah al-Isra, the destination of the Night Journey, whose surroundings Allah has blessed. It was the first qibla of the Muslims, and the whole compound is the mosque.
Related terms
- Isra and Mi'rajالإِسْرَاء وَالمِعْرَاج
The Prophet's ﷺ night journey from Makkah to Jerusalem and his ascent through the heavens.
- Qiblaقِبْلَة
The direction of the Ka'bah in Makkah, faced in every prayer.
- Al-Masjid al-Haramالمَسْجِد الحَرَام
The Sacred Mosque around the Ka'bah in Makkah, the largest mosque on earth.
Questions about Al-Masjid al-Aqsa
What does Al-Masjid al-Aqsa mean?
Al-Masjid al-Aqsa (المَسْجِد الأَقْصَى, Al-Masjid al-Aqsa) means: The Farthest Mosque in Jerusalem: the first qibla and the third holiest site.
How is Al-Masjid al-Aqsa written and pronounced in Arabic?
It is written المَسْجِد الأَقْصَى and pronounced Al-Masjid al-Aqsa. It is also spelled Al-Aqsa, Bayt al-Maqdis.
Where does Al-Masjid al-Aqsa come from in the Quran or hadith?
The Quran names it in the opening verse of Surah al-Isra, the destination of the Night Journey, whose surroundings Allah has blessed. It was the first qibla of the Muslims, and the whole compound is the mosque. Source: Al-Isra 17:1; Sahih al-Bukhari 1189.
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