🏛️ Haram al-Sharif: The Noble Sanctuary in Islam

Haram al-Sharif: Definition, Meaning, and Significance

Definition

Haram al-Sharif (Arabic: الحرم الشريف , pronounced Al-Haram ash-Sharīf), or the Noble Sanctuary, refers to the sacred precinct on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem. It houses two of the most significant Islamic structures: the al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock.

Etymology and Translations

• Arabic: الحرم الشريف (al-Haram ash-Sharīf)
• Turkish: Harem-i Şerif / Harem-i Mukaddes
• Urdu: حرم الشریف‎ (Harīm al-Sharīf)
• Persian: حرم شریف (Harām-e Sharīf)
• Indonesian: Baitul Maqdis / Al-Haram Asy-Syarif
• Bengali: হারাম আল-শরীফ (Haram al-Sharīf)

Historical Background

Haram al-Sharif holds immense historical and religious significance:

1. Biblical Era: Originally, it was the site of the First and Second Jewish Temples.

   • First Temple: Built by Solomon (circa 957 B.C.E.), destroyed by the Babylonians (586 B.C.E.).
   • Second Temple: Rebuilt (circa 516 B.C.E.), significantly renovated by Herod the Great (20 B.C.E.), and destroyed by the Romans (70 C.E.).

2. Islamic Era:

   • Dome of the Rock was constructed by the Umayyad Caliphate in 691–692 C.E.
   • Al-Aqsa Mosque was completed in 705 C.E., making it one of the earliest major Islamic architectural achievements.

3. Modern Context:

   • Presently, it is administrated under a Muslim authority (the Waqf) but lies under Israeli control since the capture of East Jerusalem during the Six-Day War of 1967.
   • It remains a focal point of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict due to its importance for both Jewish and Muslim communities.

Cultural Differences and Similarities

• Islam: Considered the third holiest site after Mecca and Medina. It is a revered place of pilgrimage for Muslims.
• Judaism: Referred to as the Temple Mount, it is the holiest site in Judaism, believed to be the location of the Foundation Stone upon which the world was created.
• Christianity: Holds historical significance due to its Biblical connections and the life of Jesus Christ.

Synonyms and Related Terms

• Temple Mount: The Jewish term for this sacred area.
• Al-Aqsa Mosque: The “Farthest Mosque,” that carries great religious significance in Islam.
• Dome of the Rock: The iconic Islamic structure encompassing the rock from which Prophet Muhammad is believed to have ascended to Heaven.

Quotations

• Karen Armstrong: “Jerusalem: One City, Three Faiths”, quoting:
  “Jerusalem. A city that continuously unites and divides. It is a symbol of faith, love, and sacrifice for many, yet remains a center of historical and contemporary conflict."

Exciting Facts

• It is a pivotal point where the three Abrahamic faiths converge.
• The architecture of the Dome of the Rock is an amalgamation of Byzantine and early Islamic art.
• Haram al-Sharif has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1981.

Related Literature

• Books:

  • “Jerusalem: One City, Three Faiths” by Karen Armstrong.
  • “Islam: A Short History” by Karen Armstrong.
  • “The Dome of the Rock” by Oleg Grabar.

• Academic Papers:

  • “History and the Politics of Haram al-Sharif” by Rashid Khalidi.
  • “Cultural Significance of Haram al-Sharif in Islamic Architecture” by Khaled Abou El Fadl.

Inspirational Farewell

“To discover Haram al-Sharif is to traverse through time where faiths intersect and history converges. May its storied past inspire your journey of knowledge and understanding.” – Fatima Siddiqui