Al-Mawazin

Eight freestanding archways called al-Mawazin (see names below) are located at the top of the staircases leading to the platform (maṣṭaba) of the Dome of the Rock from the surrounding courtyard (ṣaḥn) below.

Each archway consists of open arches supported by 2 to 4 columns, set between two pilasters.

One of the reasons mentioned for these doors is that the beauty of the Dome of the Rock should not appear right away, marking a separation between the city and the sacred place.

People also call them bā’ika (بائكة) and bawā’ik (بوائك) – also meaning "arcade".

In particular, it is thought that the four arcades facing the four entrances were built at the same time as the dome.