'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) disapproving of facing the Rock.

The questioner : Therefore, it is mentioned in the biographies, and I do not know its authenticity, that when 'Umar ibn al-Khattab consulted the Companions about where to place the mosque, some Muslims wanted...

The Shaykh : to face the Rock.

The questioner : to face the Rock.

The Shaykh: Correct.

The questioner : So 'Umar disapproved of this.

The Shaykh : So he disapproved, yes, but from the old politics, it was 'Abd al-Malik who spread its sanctity!

Another questioner : I say, regarding prayer in the Haram, meaning if a person visits this place... he prays in it, whether it is a rawatib or a nafilah, but in the place where the Rock is, is there a specific prayer there?

The Shaykh : If the visit is merely for inspection and knowledge, there is no harm in that. But going there with the intention of seeking blessing, as the majority do, unfortunately, this is not what should be done!
Abu Layla : Our Shaykh, of course, if he prays there, its reward is the reward of any prayer. And as for going to al-Aqsa Mosque, the reward is two hundred and fifty?

The Shaykh : Yes, exactly.