Sakhra

Sakhra is a term derived from Arabic, meaning "rock" or "stone." It is most prominently associated with the Foundation Stone in Jerusalem, a sacred site in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. This large, roughly hewn rock is believed to be the spot where Abraham was to sacrifice his son, the place where Jacob dreamt of a ladder to heaven, and the foundation of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.

In Islamic tradition, the Sakhra is known as the Noble Rock (Al-Sakhra Al-Musharrafah) and is believed to be the point from which the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven during his miraculous night journey (Isra and Mi'raj). The Dome of the Rock, a celebrated Islamic shrine, was constructed directly over this rock.

The term "sakhra" itself can also refer to any significant rock or stone formation in a more general geographical or geological context. However, its religious and historical significance, particularly in Jerusalem, is its most widely recognized meaning. The sacredness attributed to the Sakhra has made it a focal point of pilgrimage and religious devotion for centuries, contributing to its profound cultural and spiritual importance.