Jerusalem from Muslim Influence to the Crucades

This is the part of Jerusalem's history which I am better familiar with. From studying history of the Arabs, the Jahilliya, and MuHammad's first waHee, I can say I had a better handle on what was going on with the Arabs at this time than with the Judeo-Christian perspective from before.

I was familiar with when MuHammad received his first inspiration from the angle Gabriel in the cave in Northern Saudi Arabia; however, I was unfamiliar with the night journey. I mean I had heard about it, but I did not know that he is said to have ridden the horse Burqaa2. From this reading, I can better understand the meaning of Jerusalem to the Muslim tradition.

I did not know/understand why that city was important to the Muslims. I mean I had heard of the Caliph who built the Dome of the Rock. But I did not know that the khulafaa2 al rashideen had goings on in Jerusalem. I guess I had thought that they were just hanging out in Damascus or Baghdad, like the Ummayids or Abbassids, respectively! But it was interesting to have their history cemented in my mind with respect to Jerusalem. I think I can have better grip on what they did there.

Those Caliphs really did interact with the ancient holy sites! For instance Armstrong does mention how the Caliphs 'Umar and 'Uthman respected the temple mount area, that is why there is masjid al 'aqsaa and qubbat al sakhra there now. I was not awar of the term "dhimmis," which is apparently a term which means non-muslims (jews and christians) living in and around Jerusalem who had to pay taxes to the Muslim regimes. I did not know that that the the Muslim Caliphs controlled Jerusalem. This was a good learning experience.