REFORMS OF ABDUL MALIK With the restoration of internal order, Abdul Malik | introduced a number of reforms and administrative measures for the ! convenience of administration For long Makkah remained in the possession of Ibn al Zubayr. In order to divert the attention of the Muslims from the Hijaz to Syria, a rival sanctuary was constructed at Jerusalem the holy city of the Jews and the Christians. Mu’awiya had failed in his attempt to transfer the staff of the Prophet (PBUH) from Medina to Jerusalem the place where he had been proclaimed as Caliph. In the matter where Mu’awiya failed, Abdul’ Malik succeeded. In 72 A.H./691-2 the latter constructed the Dome of the Rock (Qabbat al-Sakhrah) as an octagonal building round the rock from which the Prophet (FBUH) ascended the seventh heaven, as a rival to Ka’bah, in order to divert thither pilgrims from Makkah which was in occupation of his rival Ibn al-Zubayr. A mosque known as Masjid Aqsa was also constructed near the Dome of the Rock in the south.
