CHAPTER 57: THE CHANGING OF THE QIBLAH IN THE SECOND YEAR OF HIJRAH PRIOR TO THE BATTLE OF BADR
Some of them have said: that it occurred in the month of Rajab, the second year of Hijrah. This is the opinion of Qatadah, Zaid Ibn Aslam and an opinion related from Muhammad Ibn Is’haaq. Imam Ahmad has also reported something to that effect from Ibn Abbas. It is also the apparent import of the Hadith of Al-Bara’ Ibn ‘Azib as shall be mentioned shortly. However some others believe it occurred in the month of Sha’ban of the same year.
Al-Bukhari related from Al-Bara’ Ibn ‘Azib that: The Prophet performed prayer facing Bait-Al-Maqdis (i.e. Jerusalem) for sixteen or seventeen months but he wished that his Qiblah would be the Ka’bahh (at Makkah). (So Allah Revealed [Al-Baqarah [2]:144] and he offered Asr prayers (in his Mosque facing Ka’bahh at Makkah) and some people prayed with him. A man from among those who had prayed with him went out and passed by some people offering prayer in another mosque and they were in the state of bowing. He said, “I, (swearing by Allah,) testify that I have prayed with the Prophet facing Makkah.” Hearing that, they turned their faces to the Ka’bah while they were still bowing. Some men had died before the Qiblah was changed toward the Ka’bah. They had been killed and we did not know what to say about them (i.e. whether their prayers toward Jerusalem were accepted or not). So Allah revealed: “And Allah would never make your faith (prayers) to be lost (i.e. your prayers offered toward Jerusalem). Truly, Allah is full of kindness, the Most Merciful toward mankind.” (Al-Baqarah [2]:143)
The summary of the whole affairs is that Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) used to pray in Makkah toward Jerusalem while the Ka’bah was right there in his presence as related by Imam Ahmad from Ibn Abbas, Allah be pleased with him. When he migrated to Madinah, it was impossible for him to combined the two so he prayed while facing Jerusalem and backing the Ka’bah at the outset of his arrival at Madinah. This continued for sixteen or seventeen months with the effect that it continued till Rajab of the second year. And Allah knows best. All the while, the Prophet had wished that the Qiblah would be changed to the Ka’bah which was the Qiblah of Ibrahim. He used to call profusely, humble himself and supplicate to Allah. He would also raise his hands and his glance to the sky in earnest request for that. Then Allah revealed:
“Verily! We have seen the turning of your (Muhammad’s) face toward the heaven. Surely, We shall turn you to a Qiblah (prayer direction) that shall please you, so turn your face in the direction of Al-Masjid- Al-Haram (at Makkah).” (Al-Baqarah [2]:144)
When the command to change the Qiblah was revealed, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) addressed the Muslims and taught them the new command as related by An-Nasa’i from Abu Sa’eed Ibn Al-Mu’alla and that occurred at the time of Zuhr. Some people, however, said that the command for the redirection of the Qiblah occurred in between the two Salats. This is the view of Mujahid and other than him and the proof for that is what is recorded in the two saheehs from Al-Bara’
that the first prayer that Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) offered in Madinah while facing the Ka’bah was the Asr prayer.
Strangely, that information did not reach the people of Quba until the time of Subh prayer the next day when someone came to them and said: “The Qur’an has been revealed to Allah’s Messenger and he has been commanded to face the Ka’bah, so turn toward it. Prior to that time, they were facing Shaam so they turned (while still in prayer) to face Ka’bah.”
The import of this is that when the command for the redirection of the Qiblah toward Ka’bah was revealed, that constitutes an abrogation of praying toward Jerusalem.
Slanderous, foolish, ignorant and dim-witted fellows taunted: “What has turned them (Muslims) from their Qiblah [prayer direction (toward Jerusalem)] to which they were used to face in prayer.” (Al-Baqarah [2]:142)
This and the disbelievers of the People of the Book knew that it is from Allah owing to what they had found in their Books concerning the description of Muhammad and concerning the fact Madinah would eventually be the place of his migration and that he would be commanded to face the Ka’bah as Allah says:
“Certainly, the people who were given the Scriptures (i.e. Jews and the
Christians) know well that, that (your turning toward the direction of
the Ka’bah at Makkah in prayers) is the truth from their Lord.” (Al-
Baqarah [2]:144)
Along with this, Allah also responded to all their questions and obduracies. Allah says: “The fools (pagans, hypocrites, and Jews) among the people will say, “What has turned them (Muslims) from their Qiblah [prayer direction (toward Jerusalem)] to which they
were used to face in prayer.” Say, (O Muhammad) “to Allah belong both, East and the West. He guides whom He wills to a Straight Way.” (Al-Baqarah [2]:142) i.e. He is the Sovereign, the Director, the Judge Whose judgment cannot be interdicted. He legislates whatever He wishes in His Shari’ah. He guides whom He wills to a Straight Way and leads astray whomever He wills away from the Correct Path and in doing that He has Wisdom with which we must be pleased and to which we must submit.
Then Allah says: “Thus We have made you [true Muslims – real believers of Islamic Monotheism, true followers of Prophet Muhammad and his Sunnah (legal ways)], a Wasat (just) nation.” (Al-Baqarah [2]:143) i.e. the best of nations. “…that you be witnesses over mankind and the Messenger (Muhammad) be a witness over you.” (Al-Baqarah [2]:143) i.e. just as We have chosen for you the best of direction for your Salat and guided you to the Qiblah of your father Ibrahim, the father of all the Prophets; to which Moosa and those who came before him among the Messengers used to face in their prayers. Thus have We made you the best of nations and quintessence of the worlds, the most noble group of both the ancient and recent times so that you may be witnesses over mankind on the Day of Judgment owing to their unanimity on your preference and their reference to you with superiority as established in saheeh Al- Bukhari from the Hadith of Abu Sa’eed in a marfoo’ form regarding Nooh’s choice of this Ummah as his witness on the day of Judgment. If Nooh has chosen them inspite of his time preceding theirs, then how much more those who came after him.
Thereafter, Allah clarifies His Wisdom while informing of the advent of His indignation and wrath for the one who doubts and is hesitant concerning this incident and the advent of His munificence for those who believes and follows this being. Allah says: “And We made the Qiblah (prayer direction toward Jerusalem) which you used to face, only to test those who followed the Messenger (Muhammad).” (Al-Baqarah [2]:143)
Ibn Abbas explains: i.e. so that We may distinguish between those who would follow the Messenger of Allah “…from those who would turn on their heels (i.e. disobey the Messenger). Indeed it was great (heavy)…” (Al-Baqarah [2]:143) i.e. even though the implication of this incident is great and hard “except for those whom Allah guided.” (Al-Baqarah [2]:143) i.e. those who believe in it, accepts its reality without entertaining doubt but are pleased and submit to it. They believe and act for there are true worshippers of the Great Law-Giver, the Able and Omnipotent, the All-Aware, the Most Kind andCourteous and the All-Knowing.
Allah says: “Allah would never make your faith (prayers) to be lost (i.e. your prayers offered toward Jerusalem).” i.e. the legislation of praying toward Jerusalem. “Truly, Allah is full of kindness, the Most Merciful toward mankind.” Ahadeeth and narrations concerning this are quite copious indeed more than could be enumerated (here). However, they have been extensively discussed in the Tafseer. Nevertheless, further explanation shall be provided in our book Al-Ahkam Al-Kabeer.
Imam Ahmad has related that ‘A’ishah narrated that Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) said concerning the People of the Book: “They are not envious of us over anything as much as they are envy us over Friday to which Allah guided us and which they missed. They are envious of us over the direction of prayer which they missed and our saying “Ameen,” behind the Imam.”
By Ibn Katheer
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