DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.10357#0085
62
PICTURESQUE PALESTINE.
south-east corner of the rock ; a flight of steps passes under an archway and leads down
to the chamber. The average height of the cave is six feet. In the roof is a circular
opening which pierces the rock; the floor is paved with marble, and the sides are
covered with plaster and whitewash. The floor, when stamped upon, gives out a hollow
sound, indicating the presence of a lower chamber, possibly a well, the " Well of Spirits."
The sides, too, when tapped give forth a hollow sound, which the Moslem guardian
brings forward as a proof that the Sakhra is, in accordance with the legend, suspended
in the air.
Many curious traditions are attached to the Dome of the Rock. Immediately within
the "Gate of Paradise" is the "Sepulchre of Solomon." A small piece of marble, called
the " Flagstone of Paradise," is let into the pavement above the tomb. Into this marble
Mohammed drove nails, which at certain intervals drop through to the tomb below; when
they have all disappeared the prophet will come to judge the faithful. Three nails now
remain perfect, and one has sunk some depth. The place has a weird interest to the
Moslem pilgrim, who approaches it with cautious step, mindful of the grave advice of the
attendant sheikh, " Take heed to thy footsteps, O pilgrim ! lest thou shake a nail through
and hasten the day of judgment." Near the west side of the rock is preserved the shield
of Hamzeh, the uncle of Omar. The shield is of very beautiful workmanship, and is, perhaps,
of Persian manufacture. Its face is highly ornamented with figures of birds and animals
in low relief, the peacock being most prominent; but it has been flattened in and turned
towards the wall to conceal the forbidden figures from devout eyes. It is, however, round
the mysterious rock that the legends gather most thickly. On the Sakhra, if we are to
believe certain traditions, Melchizedek offered sacrifice ; there Abraham was about to offer
Isaac; there Jacob saw the ladder leading up into heaven ; and there, too, was the
threshing-floor of Araunah the Jebusite, by which the angel stood when he stretched out
his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it; the site of the " altar of the burnt-offering for
Israel," upon which David sacrificed; the altar of the Temples of Solomon, Zerubbabel,
and Herod. Here Mohammed prayed, declaring that one prayer by the sacred rock was
better than a thousand elsewhere, and hence he passed heavenward on his mysterious
steed, Al Borak. At the south-west corner of the rock may still be seen the " Footprint
of Mohammed," covered by a rude shrine, which contains, carefully screened from vulgar
eyes, an object of the deepest veneration, a single hair of the prophet's head. Here, too,
are the banners of Omar, which were carried before him when he captured Jerusalem ;
they are now covered with cases which do not seem to have been removed for years.
When the Crusaders converted the Dome of the Rock into their Templum Domini
they formed a choir in the centre, which was probably co-extensive with the inner circle
of piers and columns, and placed the high altar on the Sakhra, which was covered with
marble slabs and decorated with sculptured figures in marble. The principal entrance was
at that time by the western door, on passing through which the visitor had in front of
PICTURESQUE PALESTINE.
south-east corner of the rock ; a flight of steps passes under an archway and leads down
to the chamber. The average height of the cave is six feet. In the roof is a circular
opening which pierces the rock; the floor is paved with marble, and the sides are
covered with plaster and whitewash. The floor, when stamped upon, gives out a hollow
sound, indicating the presence of a lower chamber, possibly a well, the " Well of Spirits."
The sides, too, when tapped give forth a hollow sound, which the Moslem guardian
brings forward as a proof that the Sakhra is, in accordance with the legend, suspended
in the air.
Many curious traditions are attached to the Dome of the Rock. Immediately within
the "Gate of Paradise" is the "Sepulchre of Solomon." A small piece of marble, called
the " Flagstone of Paradise," is let into the pavement above the tomb. Into this marble
Mohammed drove nails, which at certain intervals drop through to the tomb below; when
they have all disappeared the prophet will come to judge the faithful. Three nails now
remain perfect, and one has sunk some depth. The place has a weird interest to the
Moslem pilgrim, who approaches it with cautious step, mindful of the grave advice of the
attendant sheikh, " Take heed to thy footsteps, O pilgrim ! lest thou shake a nail through
and hasten the day of judgment." Near the west side of the rock is preserved the shield
of Hamzeh, the uncle of Omar. The shield is of very beautiful workmanship, and is, perhaps,
of Persian manufacture. Its face is highly ornamented with figures of birds and animals
in low relief, the peacock being most prominent; but it has been flattened in and turned
towards the wall to conceal the forbidden figures from devout eyes. It is, however, round
the mysterious rock that the legends gather most thickly. On the Sakhra, if we are to
believe certain traditions, Melchizedek offered sacrifice ; there Abraham was about to offer
Isaac; there Jacob saw the ladder leading up into heaven ; and there, too, was the
threshing-floor of Araunah the Jebusite, by which the angel stood when he stretched out
his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it; the site of the " altar of the burnt-offering for
Israel," upon which David sacrificed; the altar of the Temples of Solomon, Zerubbabel,
and Herod. Here Mohammed prayed, declaring that one prayer by the sacred rock was
better than a thousand elsewhere, and hence he passed heavenward on his mysterious
steed, Al Borak. At the south-west corner of the rock may still be seen the " Footprint
of Mohammed," covered by a rude shrine, which contains, carefully screened from vulgar
eyes, an object of the deepest veneration, a single hair of the prophet's head. Here, too,
are the banners of Omar, which were carried before him when he captured Jerusalem ;
they are now covered with cases which do not seem to have been removed for years.
When the Crusaders converted the Dome of the Rock into their Templum Domini
they formed a choir in the centre, which was probably co-extensive with the inner circle
of piers and columns, and placed the high altar on the Sakhra, which was covered with
marble slabs and decorated with sculptured figures in marble. The principal entrance was
at that time by the western door, on passing through which the visitor had in front of