Milel ve Nihal, 14 (2), 2017 doi:10.17131/milel.377618 Sacred Architecture of the Rock : An Inno- vative Design Concept and Iconography in Al-Aqsa Mosque Haithem F. AL-RATROUT ∗ Citation/©: Al- Ratrout, Haithem (2017). Sacred Architecture of the Rock: An Innovative Design Concept and Iconography in Al-Aqsa Mosque, Milel ve Nihal, 14 (2), 49-73. Abstract: The religious sanctity and symbolisms of the Sacred Rock in Islam has been a frame of reference for inspiration of the architect who established a building over it in the early Islamic period. His challenging task was to generate an architectural archetype based on idea and concept in architec- ture vivid with sacredness and reflecting the religious symbolism of the place. Nowhere can this be true as Qubbet al-Sakhrah (the Dome of the Rock); an Islamic masterpiece which is considered to be the utmost achievement of the Umayyad Islamic religious art and architecture in the late seventh century C.E. It is evident that the architect of the Sacred Rock was very successful in dealing with the site when establishing an attracta- ble mature building that is dominating the skyline of the al-Aqsa mosque and the city of Islamicjerusalem alike. In addition to the Umayyad reli- gious objective in establishing this sacred building, another important goal was achieved which reinforced their political power and Islamic sover- eignty over the city. Indeed, Qubbet al-Sakhrah is a memorable building that commemorates the Sacred Rock and is full of religious feelings. It has, visually, strong impact on observers as its form and function recalls both of the archetype of Makkah and Islamicjerusalem and their religious experience. Key Words: Islamic sacred art and architecture, the sanctity of the rock, Islamic religious symbolism, Islamic Iconography, Islamic memorial archetype. ∗ Dr., An-Najah National University (Nablus-Palestine), Faculty of Engineering & IT, Department of Architecture [ratrout@najah.edu]