Saladin's Friday Prayer at the Dome of the Rock 1187

On October 2, 1187, Saladin entered Jerusalem and made history by reclaiming the city for Islam after 88 years of Crusader rule. But rather than a vengeful conqueror, he ordered restraint—sparing civilians, protecting churches, and personally leading Friday prayer at the Dome of the Rock. This episode dives into the careful planning behind that prayer: how Saladin's team restored the sacred site, cleansed it of Christian additions, and delivered a sermon that echoed across the Muslim world. We explore the logistics of converting the building back to a mosque, the symbolic choice of preacher, and the emotional aftermath for both Muslims and Franks. Drawing on Ibn al-Athir and Imad ad-Din al-Isfahani, we uncover a moment that was as political as it was spiritual—a pivot point in the Third Crusade. If you've ever wondered what it actually felt like to be in Jerusalem that day, this episode is for you. #Saladin #DomeOfTheRock #Jerusalem1187 #ThirdCrusade #Ayyubid #QubbatAlSakhra #AlAqsa #IbnAlAthir #ImadAdDin #Crusades #IslamicHistory #MedievalMiddleEast #BaytAlMaqdis #Hattin #FridayPrayer #History #FexingoHistory #MiddleEastHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo