On the Temple Mount in Jerusalem are two Muslim holy places, Masjid Al-Aqsa and the Dome of the Rock.
The Dome of the Rock holds a high interest because of its inscriptions which stem from very early times of Islam.
INSCRIPTIONS
South Side (outer)
"In the name of God, the Merciful the Compassionate. There is no god but God. He is One. He has no associate." "Muhammad is the Messenger of God" [shahadah complete]. "Lo! God and His angels shower blessing on the Pro//phet. O ye who believe! Ask blessings on him and salute him with a worthy salutation" [33:56 complete].
"In the name of God, the Merciful the Compassionate. There is no god but God. He is One" [beginning of the shahadah]. "Pra//ise be to God, Who hath not taken unto Himself a son, and Who hath no partner in the Sovereignty, nor hath He any protecting friend through dependence. And magnify Him with all magnificance" [17:111 complete except for the initial "And say"]. "Muhammad is the Messenger of G//od" [completion of the shahadah], "the blessing of God be on him and the angels and His prophets, and peace be on him, and may God have mercy" [blessing].
"In the name of God, the Merciful and Compassionate. There is no god but God. He is One. He has no associate" [beginning of the shahadah]. "Unto // Him belongeth sovereignty and unto Him belongeth praise. He quickeneth and He giveth death; and He is Able to do all things" [conflation of 64:1 and 57:2]. "Muhammad is the Messenger of God" [completion of the shahadah]., "the blessing of God be on him. May He accept his intercession on the Day of Judgement on behalf of his people" [blessing and prayer].//
"In the name of God, the Merciful the Compassionate. There is no god but God. He is One. He has no associate." "Muhammad is the Messenger of God" [shahadah complete]. "the blessing of God be on him" [blessing].
"The servant of God, 'A//bd [Allah the Imam al-Ma'mun, Commander] of the Faithful, built this dome in the year two and seventy. May God accept from him and be content with him. Amen, Lord of the worlds, praise be to God" [foundation notice].
Eastern entrance
Northern Portal
Source: Forgotten Witness: Evidence for the Early Codification of the Qur'an, Estelle Whelan, Journal of the American Oriental Society 118. I (1998), pp. 4-8.
Further reading: