It is reported that when Umar marched into Jerusalem with an army, he asked Ka‘b: "Where do you advise me to build a place of worship?" Ka‘b indicated the Temple Rock, now a gigantic heap of ruins from the temple of Jupiter. The Jews, Ka‘b explained, had briefly won back their old capital a quarter of a century before (when Persians overran Syria), but they had not had time to clear the site of the Temple, for the Byzantines (Rūm) had recaptured the city.
It is reported that when Umar led his army into Jerusalem, he asked Ka‘b: "Where do you suggest I establish a place of worship?" Ka‘b pointed to the Temple Rock, which was now an enormous pile of rubble from the temple of Jupiter. The Jews, Ka‘b explained, had briefly regained their old capital about twenty-five years prior (when Persians conquered Syria), but they did not have enough time to clear the site for the Temple, as the Byzantines (Rūm) recaptured the city.