Basic
Madani Rulings
Surah: Al-Baqarah (144)
The Change of Qiblah to the Kaabah — Al-Baqarah 144
قَدۡ نَرَىٰ تَقَلُّبَ وَجۡهِكَ فِي ٱلسَّمَآءِ ۖ فَلَنُوَلِّيَنَّكَ قِبۡلَةٗ تَرۡضَىٰهَا
— البقرة الآية 144
Occasion of Revelation (Sahih — Agreed Upon):
The Prophet ﷺ prayed toward Jerusalem after arriving in Medina, but longed for the Kaabah — the qiblah of his ancestor Ibrahim ﷺ — and would often look up at the sky. Allah then revealed: "We see the turning of your face toward the sky; We will turn you toward a qiblah that pleases you. Turn your face toward the Sacred Mosque." The Prophet turned mid-prayer (after two rak'ahs), and that mosque was called "Masjid Al-Qiblatayn."
Significance:
The Prophet ﷺ prayed toward Jerusalem after arriving in Medina, but longed for the Kaabah — the qiblah of his ancestor Ibrahim ﷺ — and would often look up at the sky. Allah then revealed: "We see the turning of your face toward the sky; We will turn you toward a qiblah that pleases you. Turn your face toward the Sacred Mosque." The Prophet turned mid-prayer (after two rak'ahs), and that mosque was called "Masjid Al-Qiblatayn."
Significance:
- The Kaabah as Islam's distinctive symbol, different from Judaism and Christianity
- The Prophet yearned, and Allah revealed exactly what his heart desired — a great honor
Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari (399), Sahih Muslim (527) — Agreed Upon; Al-Wahidi, Asbab Al-Nuzul
Test Yourself
What was the first qiblah of Muslims before it was changed to the Kaabah?
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