Why was the roofed Al-Aqsa Mosque built in that particular spot, and is everything within the walls considered part of the Mosque?

We have not found a conclusive reason for the exclusive construction of Al-Aqsa Mosque on a specific spot within the wall. The reason may be due to the needs of the worshippers or financial constraints, as was the case with the construction of the Kaaba. Scholars have differed on whether everything located within the walls of the Mosque takes on the ruling of the Mosque or not. Some are of the view that the harim (sacred precinct) of the Mosque does not take on its ruling, while some believe that the courtyard of the Mosque is not part of it, and others believe that it is part of it if it is enclosed.