Fi Rihabi (In the Shade of) ayat 2: 142-144]: The Change of the Qibla

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Fi Rihabi (In the Shade of) ayat 2: 142-144]
The Change of the Qibla

[2:142]
The fools among the people will say, 'What has turned them from the direction they were facing in their prayers formerly?' Say: 'To God belong the East and the West. He guides whomever He will to a straight path'.

[2:143]
Thus, We appointed you a midmost community that you might be witnesses to the people; and that the Messenger might be a witness to you, and We did not appoint the direction you were facing, except that We might know, who followed the Messenger from him who turned on his heels - though it were a grave thing, save for those whom God has guided; but God would never cause your faith to be wasted; truly, God is Gentle with people, Merciful.

[2:144]
We have indeed seen you turning your face about in the heaven; now We will surely turn you to a direction that shall satisfy you. Turn your face towards the Sacred Mosque, and wherever you are turn your faces towards it. Those who have been given the Scripture know that it is the truth from their Lord; God is not heedless of what you do.

Commentary

The foolish of the people were the ignorant among the Jews and Arab idolaters. They would say, "what hath turned made them change from the Qiblah which they formerly observed except that they want to revert to the religion of their ancestors. It is also said that this means: there was no reason to turn from the direction in which they prayed, i.e. Jerusalem. (Say) O Muhammad! Unto Allah belong the East (praying to the Ka'bah) and the West (the prayer that you prayed in the direction of Jerusalem) - both are with Allah's command. He confirms whom He wills on a straight Religion and direction of prayer.

(Thus) i.e. Just as we have honoured you with the Religion of Abraham (Islam) and his direction of prayer, We have appointed you as a middlemost community that you be witnesses for the Prophets over mankind, and that the Messenger Muhammad (pbuh) may be a witness over you, that you are upright and follow the straight path.

(And We changed the Qiblah which ye formerly observed for months only that We might see and distinguish him who followeth the Messenger concerning the Qiblah from him who reverts on his heels to his direction of prayer. (In truth it) the changing of the Qiblah was a hard test save for those whose hearts Allah had protected. But it was not Allah's purpose that He thwarts your faith as it was prior to the abrogation of legal rulings. It is also said that this means: it is not Allah's purpose to thwart your faith but rather His purpose is to abrogate the legal rulings which conduct your faith. It is also said that this means: Allah did not thwart your prayers towards Jerusalem, but He has abrogated the ruling which required you to pray towards Jerusalem for Allah is full of pity and is Merciful.

Allah then mentions the supplication of His Prophet regarding the changing of the Qiblah towards Mecca, saying: (We have seen the turning of thy face to heaven (for guidance, O Muhammad)) turning your sight to heaven in anticipation of Gabriel coming down to announce the change of the Qiblah. (And now surely We shall make thee turn (in prayer) toward a Qiblah that is dear to thee) that you like, namely, the Qiblah of Abraham. (So turn thy face) when in prayer (towards the Inviolable Place of Worship, and ye (O Muslims), wheresoever ye may be) whether on land or in the sea, (turn your faces (when ye pray)) in prayer (towards it. (Lo! Those who have received the Scripture know that) the Sacred Precinct (is the Truth from their Lord) is the Qiblah of Abraham but they conceal this fact. (And Allah is not unaware) heedless (of what they do) of what they conceal.

Time and Reason for Change

The change of the direction of Qiblah from Jerusalem to the Ka'bah (Makkah) was in the middle of the month of Rajab in the second year after migration (A.H.) according to the most correct opinion; this is the view of the majority of the scholars and the view of Ibn Hajar.

The reason for the change of the direction of Qiblah is that the Prophet used to perform the prayer to the direction of Jerusalem, but he wished to perform the prayer towards the Qiblah of Ibraaheem (Abraham) . Al-Baraa’ narrated: "When the Prophet came to Madeenah, he performed the prayer towards Jerusalem for a period of sixteen or seventeen months but he wished to turn towards the Ka’bah, so Allaah revealed (which means): {Verily, we have seen the turning of your (Mohammad’s ) face towards the heaven. Surely, We shall turn you to a Qiblah (prayer direction) that shall please you.}[Qur’an 2]." [A-Bukhaari] Thereupon, he was instructed to turn towards the Ka’bah when performing the prayer.

Other Related Hadiths

Sahih Muslim

Chapter: CHANGE OF QIBLA FROM BAIT-UL-MAQDIS TO KA'BA

1071. Al-Bara' b. 'Azib reported: I said prayer with the Apostle (may peace be upon him) turning towards Bait-ul-Maqdis for sixteen months till this verse of Surah Baqara wis revealed:" And wherever you are turn your faces towards it" (ii. 144). This verse was revealed when the Apostle (may peace be upon him) had said prayer. A person amongst his people passed by the people of Ansar as they were engaged in prayer. He narrated to them (this command of Allah) and they turned their faces towards the Ka'ba.

1072. Abu Ishaq reported: I heard al-Bara' saying: We prayed with the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) (with our faces) towards Bait-ul-Maqdis for sixteen months or seventeen months. Then we were made to change (our direction) towards the Ka'ba.

1073. Ibn 'Umar reported: As the people were praying at Quba' a man came to them and said: It has been revealed to file Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) during the night and he has been directed to turn towards the Ka'ba. So turn towards it. Their faces were towards Syria and they turned round towards Ka'ba.

1074. Ibn 'Umar reported: As the people were engaged in the morning prayer a man came to them. The rest of the hadith is the same.

1075. Anas reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) used to pray towards Bait-ul-Maqdis, that it was revealed (to him):" Indeed We see the turning of the face to heaven, wherefore We shall assuredly cause thee to turn towards Qibla which shall please thee. So turn thy face towards the sacred Mosque (Ka'ba)" (ii. 144). A person from Banu Salama was going; (he found the people) in ruk'u (while) praying the dawn prayer and they had said one rak'ah. He said in a loud voice: Listen! the Qibla has been changed and they turned towards (the new) Qibla (Ka'ba) in that very state.

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