142- THE FOOLS AMONG PEOPLE WILL SAY: WHAT TURNED THEM AWAY FROM THE QIBLAH THEY USED TO FACE?  SAY: THE EAST AND THE WEST BELONG TO ALLAH, HE GUIDES WHOM HE WILLS TO THE STRAIGHT PATH.

143- WE HAVE MADE YOU INTO A MIDDLE (JUST) NATION, SO THAT YOU MAY BECOME WITNESSES OVER PEOPLE, AND THE MESSENGER A WITNESS OVER YOU.  WE DID NOT YOUR PREVIOUS QIBLAH FOR YOU EXCEPT TO KNOW THOSE WHO WILL FOLLOW THE MESSENGER FROM THOSE WHO WILL TURN BACK ON THEIR HEELS.  INDEED IT IS HARD, EXCEPT FOR THOSE ALLAH HAVE GUIDED, AND ALLAH WOULD NOT HAVE LET YOUR FAITH BE WASTED.  ALLAH IS MOST KIND AND MOST MERCIFUL TO MANKIND.

144- WE HAVE SEEN THE TURNING OF YOUR FACE FROM THE SKY, SO WE WILL DIRECT YOUR TOWARDS A QIBLAH THAT WILL PLEASE YOU, SO TURN YOUR FACE TOWARDS THE SACRED MOSQUE AND WHEREVER YOU ARE DIRECT YOUR FACES TOWARDS IT.  THOSE WHO WERE GIVEN THE BOOK KNOW THAT IT IS THE TRUTH FROM YOUR LORD, AND ALLAH IS NOT UNAWARE OF WHAT THEY DO.

 

These three Ayahs are about the change of Qibla from al-Aqsa to the Sacred Mosque.  First there is an explanation then a command of the change of Qibla.

While they Muslims were in Makah, they prayed towards Kabba and Al-Aqsa mosque at the same time.  However, after they migrated to Medina, this was not possible, as Al-Aqsa mosque was north while the Kabba was south of Medina.  Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him and the Muslims prayed towards Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. This went on for 17 month, which pleased the Jews in Medina, as it was their Qibla too. 

Mohamed prayer and peace upon him was not happy with this, and he often looked up to the sky hoping that this will changes, without saying any thing which might displease Allah the Highest.  Then Allah the Highest commanded the change of Qibla to the sacred mosque in Makah.

The Qibla of the Muslims to Al-Aqsa Mosque was a test of their faith and obedience.  This is because the Arabs knew that it was built by their fathers, Ibrahim and Ismail, and because it was held in a very high esteem by the Arabs.  The Change of the Qibla was also a test of faith and Obedience.  Some of the Jews and the hypocrites said to the Muslims that all the Salah of the past 17 month towards Al-Aqsa mosque was in vain, but Allah the Highest answered them saying: “AND ALLAH WOULD NOT HAVE LET YOUR FAITH BE WASTED”.  For the Muslims were following Allah’s command for the first Qibla and for the second Qibla, therefore their Salah could never have been wasted.

 

People chosen for great tasks are often tested and tried.  Allah the Highest made the Muslim nation a middle and just nation, to lead mankind in faith, and as we will bear witness of what other nations do.  Allah’s messenger prayer and peace  upon him said: “Whoever you praise will deserve the Paradise, and whoever you speak ill of will deserve the Hell-Fire”.  (B:Janaez;85 & T:Janaez;63 & N:Janaez;50 & Ma;Janaez;20 & A:2;261)

This test was indeed difficult, except for those who follow Allah’s Guidance and never doubt His messenger prayer and peace upon him.

It is of Allah’s messenger’s excellent character is that he did not ask Allah the Highest about the change of Qibla.  However, Allah the Highest could see his face and his desire to change the Qibla without having to speak.  Allah the Highest honored the wish of His messenger prayer and peace upon him by changing the Qibla, without being asked.

One of Allah’s messenger’s companions by the name of Abi Sael Ibn Al-Maeli said: “One day we (had others with him) were passing past the mosque, and we saw Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him sate on the member, they thought that something was going on and they sate in the mosque.  Then, Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him recited the Ayahs:” WE HAVE SEEN THE TURNING OF YOUR FACE FROM THE SKY, SO WE WILL DIRECT YOUR TOWARDS A QIBLAH THAT WILL PLEASE YOU, SO TURN YOUR FACE TOWARDS THE SACRED MOSQUE AND WHEREVER YOU ARE DIRECT YOUR FACES TOWARDS IT………”.  I said to my companion : “Let us pray two Rakaas before Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him steps down from the Member, so that we will be the first to have prayed towards Al-Kabba”.  We stood aside and prayed, then Allah’s messenger came down from the Member and prayed al-Zohr Salah” (Al-Nesae)

 

When the Muslims praying in another mosque were told about the change of Qibla while they were praying, they turned around facing south instead of north in the middle of their Salah.  This mosque is still there and is called the mosque of “Qiblateen”  ie. The mosque of the two Qibla.  It was reported that: “After the ‘WE HAVE SEEN THE TURNING OF YOUR FACE ………’ was sent down, a man from Bani Salamah passed by some people praying, they were prostrating.  He called to them to tell them about the Qibla changing to the Sacred Mosque, and they turned immediately towards the Kabba”.  (M:Masajid; 11-15 & D:Salah;200,205 & Ma:Eqamah,56 & N:Salah;22)

The People of the book know that the what the Kabba is and that it was the first house of Prayer that was ever built, and about it being rebuilt by Ibrahim, the father of the prophets and his son Ismail, peace be upon them. 

Allah the Highest called the Muslims “Omah Wasata”, which means middle, good and just nation.

Middle, is that it is moderate, no extremes, or excesses.

Good, in that it basis it’s life and rules on Allah’s commands.  In this way, the nation can not be any thing but good.

Just in it’s dealings in all relationships between people of the same faith and with those of other faith.

This is the Muslim nation, and how it should be.

 

 

B: Bukhari  M: Muslim    Mal: Malek   A: Ahmed   D: Abu Dawood     

 Da: Daremy       Ma: Ibn Magah            N: Nesae          T: Termezi