The construction of the Dome of the Rock and al-Aqsa mosque, the rituals instituted by the Umayyads on the Temple Mount and the dissemination of Islamic-oriented Traditions regarding the sanctity of the site, all point to the political motives which underlay the glorification of Jerusalem among the Muslims.

The simple fact soon emerged that al-Quds was not essential to the security of an empire based in Egypt or Syria. Accordingly, in times of political or military crisis, the city proved to be expendable. In particular, in 1219, when the Europeans attacked Egypt in the Fifth Crusade, a grandson of Saladin named al-Mu‘azzam decided to raze the walls around Jerusalem, fearing that were the Franks to take the city with walls, they will kill all whom they find there and will have the fate of Damascus and lands of Islam in their hands. Pulling down Jerusalem's fortifications had the effect of prompting a mass exodus from the city and its steep decline.

Also at this time, the Muslim ruler of Egypt and Syria (ovdje se nalazi Jeruzalem), al-Kamil (another of Saladin's grandsons and the brother of al-Mu‘azzam), offered to trade Jerusalem to the Europeans if only the latter would leave Egypt, but he had no takers. Ten years later, in 1229, just such a deal was reached when al-Kamil did cede Jerusalem to Emperor Friedrich II; in return, the German leader promised military aid to al-Kamil against al-Mu‘azzam, now a rival king. Al-Kamil insisted that the Temple Mount remain in Muslim hands and "all the practices of Islam" continued to be exercised there, a condition Friedrich complied with. Referring to his deal with Frederick, al-Kamil wrote in a remarkably revealing description of Jerusalem, "I conceded to the Franks only ruined churches and houses." In other words, the city that had been heroically regained by Saladin in 1187 was voluntarily traded away by his grandson just forty-two years later.

If the Crusaders threaten you in Cairo, and they demand from you the coast of Syria and Jerusalem, give these places to them without delay on condition they have no foothold in Egypt.

...that Christian knights traveled from distant lands to make Jerusalem their capital made the city more valuable in Muslim eyes too. It was a city strongly coveted by the enemies of the faith, and thus became, in a sort of mirror-image syndrome, dear to Muslim hearts. And so fractured opinions coalesced into a powerful sensibility; political exigency caused Muslims ever after to see Jerusalem as the third most holy city of Islam (thalith al-masajid).

The Fools among the people will say: "What has turned them [the Muslims] from the qibla to which they were always used?" We appointed the qibla that to which you was used, only to test those who followed the Messenger [Muhammad] from those who would turn on their heels [on Islam]. Now shall we turn you to a qibla that shall please you. Then turn your face in the direction of the Sacred Mosque [in Mecca].Wherever you are, turn your faces in that direction. Even if you were to bring all the signs to the people of the Book [i.e., Jews], they would not follow your qibla.

He chose the Holy House in Jerusalem in order that the People of the Book [i.e., Jews] would be conciliated, and the Jews were glad.