Answering Questions Through The Holy Qur'an: Why was the direction of prayer (Qibla) changed?

Why was the direction of prayer (Qibla) changed?

2:144 Indeed, We see the turning of your face towards the heaven. So surely We will turn you to the direction of prayer that pleases you. So turn your face towards the direction of Al-Masjid Al-Haraam. And wherever you are, turn your faces towards its direction. And indeed, those who were given the Book, surely know that it is the truth from their Lord. And Allah is not unaware of what they do.

(The direction of prayer pleases the Messenger, but this fact does not mean that it was “changed” because of him, nor did he choose that direction)(Another point is that, before turning his face towards the direction of Al-Masjid Al-Haraam, Muhammad used to turn his face towards heaven, rather than towards a location on earth, so a location on earth was not changed for another location)(Allah knows best)

2:143 And thus We made you a community of the middle way so that you will be witnesses over mankind, and the Messenger will be a witness over you. And We didn’t make the direction of prayer which you were used to except that We make evident (he) who follows the Messenger from (he) who turns back on his heels. And indeed, it was certainly a great (test) except for those whom Allah guided. And Allah will not let go waste your faith. Indeed, Allah is Full of Kindness towards mankind, the Most Merciful.

(According to Verse 2:143, the previous direction of prayer was a test to the people, to make evident who follows the Messenger)(The “new” direction is in fact the “oldest” one (3:96))(Allah knows best)

6:161 Say, "Indeed (as for) me, my Lord has guided me to a straight path – a right religion, the religion of Abraham - a true monotheist. And he was not of the polytheists.

(Muslims follow the religion of Abraham, so the direction of prayer is the first House set up for mankind (3:96), that is, the standing place of Abraham (3:97))(Allah knows best)

16:123 Then We revealed to you to follow the religion of Abraham, upright; and he was not of those who associate."

3:95 Say, Allah has told the truth, then follow the religion of Abraham, upright; and he was not of the polytheists. 3:96 Indeed, the first House set up for mankind was that at Bakkah, blessed and a guidance for the worlds. 3:97 In it are clear signs, the standing place of Abraham. And whoever enters it - is safe. And to Allah upon the people is a pilgrimage to the House – for whoever is able to it a way. And whoever disbelieves - then indeed, Allah is free from need of the worlds.

(Bakkah (3:96) refers to the Kaaba and its surroundings, while Mecca is the name of the city in which the Kaaba and its surroundings are located)(This place of pilgrimage, for mankind, is confirmed in the Bible: Psalm 84:4-7 “Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion”)(Non-Muslims object that Zion is Jerusalem, as if pilgrimage were to Jerusalem according that verse, but Zion is not Jerusalem; it is confirmed by Isaiah 2:3, in which the two places are differentiated: “The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem”. In that sense, the Law is “from Mecca” (but it is called Zion in Isaiah 2:3), and Muslims follow the religion of Abraham (4:125, 16:123) - Abraham and Ishmael built the House in Mecca (2:127). The two places, Zion and Jerusalem, are also differentiated in Amos 1:2 and Micah 3:12)(According to the “dictionary of the Old Testament” by “Tremper Longman”, “the etymology of the word Zion is uncertain”, the word “Zion” might refer to “castle”, or “dry land”; in that sense, Mecca is a dry land; or “Zion” might be derived from the Arabic “sana” (protect or citadel); in that sense, the House in Mecca is a safe place (3:97))(Another interpretation is that Zion is in the Hereafter, because Psalms says that that’s where they appear before God; people would also appear before God in the Hereafter (34:31, 6:30, 11:18, 32:11-12); and believers are also “protected” in the Hereafter from the fire (2:201, 3:16). And Joel 2:1 confirms that Zion is in the Hereafter: “blow the trumpet in Zion … for the day of the Lord is coming”; in that sense, the Qur’an confirms that the trumpet is blown on “that Day” (23:101, 69:13-15)(e.g. Day of Resurrection). In addition, Joel 3:21 says, “the Lord dwells in Zion”; according to the Qur’an God’s Throne extends over the heavens and the earth (2:255), but “earth” is in the context of “matter” (space contains matter), rather than referring to a certain location on planet earth. On the other hand, Zephaniah 3:16 says, “On that day they will say to Jerusalem, “Do not fear, Zion”, as if Jerusalem and Zion were the same place, but notice that the context is “on that day” (Zephaniah 3:15-16), so, there is a distinction between this world and the Hereafter. Why using different words for the same place in the same sentence, unless they are different places?)(The Gospel might confirm that Jews falsely invented that Jerusalem is the main or only place of worship; they were the only ones claiming so, in addition, there is a prediction of a place other than that: John 4:20-21 says, “Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem. Woman, Jesus replied, believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem”. Another point is that, according to John 4:22, the woman, opposing Jerusalem, is Samaritan. The origin of Samaritans is traced back to the time of Moses; in other words, an older source says that the main or only city to worship is not Jerusalem. See the article below “Samaritans existing in ancient Egypt?”)(Another point is that, even if the Torah were to contradict the Qur’an: the Torah is not a reliable source because it is said that it had multiple authors and that its composition took place over centuries. See the links below: “How the Qur’an corrects Judaism?” and “Is the Bible corrupted?”)(Allah knows best)

2:142 The foolish [ones] from/(among) the people will say, "What (has) turned them from their direction of prayer which they [were] used to (face) [on it]." Say, "For Allah (is) the east and the west. He guides whom He wills to a straight path."

See also: Samaritans existing in ancient Egypt?

http://aqtthq.blogspot.com.es/2017/01/samaritans-existing-in-ancient-egypt.html

See also: How the Qur’an corrects Judaism?

https://aqtthq.blogspot.com.es/2016/08/how-quran-corrects-judaism.html

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Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Why was the direction of prayer (Qibla) changed?

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