Changing of the Qibla
Summary
Whilst in Makkah and during the first couple months in Medina, the Muslims used to pray towards the Al-Aqsa Mosque and this command resulted in them being taunted by the Jews and the rest of the Ahl al-Kitab (People of the Book). In the 17th month after Hijra, whilst the Holy Prophet and the Muslims were in Masjid Bani Salim and the iqamah for the Dhuhr prayers were being read for the congregation, the verse stating the change in Qibla was revealed and the Holy Prophet and the Muslims faced Makkah during their prayers.
Al-Aqsa Mosque, the first Qibla of the Muslims
One of the important changes in Islamic history that caused a massive wave among the people was the issue of the changing of the Qibla. For thirteen years after becoming the Prophet in Makkah and a few months after Hijra, upon the command of Allah, the Holy Prophet used to read his prayers towards the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the birthplace of Prophet Isa and the Qibla of the Jews and Christians. There is a difference in view in regards to how long the Muslims used to pray towards the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Medina. Ibn Hisham is of the view that the most correct report regarding when the changing of the Qibla occurred was in the month of Rajab, the second year after Hijra; i.e. seventeen months after Hijra. [1] Allamah Tabatabai (exegete and contemporary Islamist) also accepts this report. [2]
The Jewish taunting of the Muslims
With the presence of the Holy Prophet in Medina and the carrying out of worship towards the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Muslims, and especially the Holy Prophet, were chastised by the Jews. They believed that the Muslims had no independence and that because their worship took place facing the Qibla of the Jews, this was proof of the rightfulness of Judaism. On one hand, the Holy Prophet and the Muslims were obedient to Allah’s command and, on the other hand, the taunts of the Jews wouldn’t stop and tolerating it was hard on them. Therefore, as mentioned at the beginning of verse 144 of Surah Baqarah, the Holy Prophet was looking at the sky for some time and waiting for the angel of revelation to descend until the command of the Qibla change was issued by Allah.
Changing of the Qibla
The Holy Prophet was offering two rakah (units) of the Dhuhr prayer in Masjid Bani Salim towards the Al-Aqsa Mosque when Gabriel was ordered, in order to implement Allah’s command, to take the hand of the Holy Prophet and face him towards the Kabah, the new Qibla of the Muslims. Subsequently, verse 144 of Surah Baqarah was revealed unto the Holy Prophet of Islam: “We certainly see you turning your face about in the sky. We will surely turn you to a qibla of your liking: so turn your face towards the Holy Mosque, and wherever you may be, turn your faces towards it! Indeed those who were given the Book surely know that it is the truth from their Lord. And Allah is not oblivious of what they do.” [3] Likewise, there is a difference of opinion in regards to the location in which the command of the changing of the Qibla was revealed. Most of the historians believe that this event took place in Masjid Bani Salim, Medina - whose name was changed to Dhu al-Qiblatayn (possessor of two Qiblas) after this event took place. After this event, the Jews became very uneasy and angry and the propaganda and reproach started in a different way and they stated: “What made the Muslims turn away from the Qibla of the previous Prophets? Either their former actions was invalid or their current actions is mistaken!” In response to the misplaced excuses and protests of the Jews, Allah answered their protests and obstructionism this way in verse 142 of Surah Baqarah: “The foolish among the people will say, ‘What has turned them away from the qibla they were following?’ Say, ‘To Allah belong the east and the west. He guides whomever He wishes to a straight path.’” [3] This was a concrete response and clear proof in opposition of those making excuses that used the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Kabah as pretext for causing controversy, when both the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Kabah are from Allah and no place possesses inherent honour without Allah’s favour. What is important is that you obey His command and pray in whatever direction He commands. Verses 142-144 of Surah Baqarah are renowned for being in regard to the changing of the Qibla, as acknowledged by most historians. [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13]
References
- ↑ ‘Al-Sīraḧ ‘al-Nabawīyyaḧ (‘Ibn Hishām), p. 439-440
- ↑ ‘Al-Mīzān, vol. 1, p. 325
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Translation by Ali Quli Qarai
- ↑ Tārīkh Ya’qūbī, vol. 2, p. 42
- ↑ Majma’ ‘al-Bayān, vol. 1, p. 223
- ↑ Kashshāf, vol. 1, p. 202
- ↑ ‘Al-Ṭabaqāt ‘al-Kubrá, vol. 1, p. 186
- ↑ Man Lā Yaḥḍarah ‘al-Faqīh, vol. 1, p. 275
- ↑ ‘Akhbār Makkah, vol. 2, p. 31
- ↑ Biḥār ‘al-‘Anwār, vol. 81, p. 33
- ↑ Tārīkh ‘al-‘Umam wa ‘al-Mulūk, vol. 2, p. 415-417
- ↑ ‘Al-Bidāyaḧ wa ‘al-Nihāyaḧ, vol. 2, p. 253
- ↑ ‘Al-Sīraḧ ‘al-Ḥalabīyyaḧ, vol. 2, p. 352-353