The Qur`an exegesis, which began at the end of the first century of the Hijra (seventh century CE), related to Jerusalem various names and titles mentioned in the Qur`an, among which is Al-Aqsa, literally 'the farthest'. This early exegesis of the Qur`an is in fact a corpus of traditions (Hadiths), organized according to relationship to specific verses in the Qur`an.

The Qur`an relates that Muhammad had traveled by night (Al-Isra`) from the holy Mosque (Mecca) to the farthest Mosque (Al-Aqsa). Later traditions added more details, providing a description of Muhammad's legendary beast (Al-Buraq), which the angel Gabriel tied to the Western Wall (Hait al-Buraq), and of Muhammad's ascent (Mi`raj) to seventh heaven, where he initiated the five daily prayers; from there he returned to Jerusalem and then to Mecca, all in one night.