Al-Baqarah 2: 143
Say: “To Allah belong the East and the West; He guides whomsoever He wills onto a Straight Way.” (143) And it is thus that We appointed you to be the community of the middle way44 so that you might be witnesses to all mankind and the Messenger might be a witness to you.45
We appointed the direction which you formerly observed so that We might distinguish those who follow the Messenger from those who turn on their heels. For it was indeed burdensome except for those whom Allah guided. ▶
and seventeen months. Subsequently, he received the injunction to pray in the direction of the Ka[bah.
44 The Arabic expression which we have translated as “the community of the middle way” is too rich in meaning to find an adequate equivalent in any other language. It signifies that distinguished group of people which follows the path of justice and equity, of balance and moderation, a group which occupies a central position among the nations of the world so that its relationship with all is based on righteousness and justice and none receives its support in wrong and injustice.
45 What this means is that when the whole of mankind is called to account, the Prophet (peace be on him), as God’s representative, will stand witness to the fact that he had communicated to the Muslims and had put into practice the teachings which expound sound beliefs, righteous conduct and a balanced system of life which he had received from on high. The Muslims, acting on behalf of the Prophet (peace be on him) after the latter’s return to God’s mercy, will be asked to bear the same witness before the rest of mankind, confirming that they had spared no effort in either communicating to mankind what the Prophet (peace be on him) had communicated to them, or in exemplifying in their own lives what the Prophet (peace be on him) by his own conduct, had translated into actual practice.
40
Al-Baqarah 2: 144–5
And Allah will never leave your faith to waste. Allah is full of gentleness and mercy to mankind.
(144) We see you oft turning your face towards the sky; now We are turning you to the direction that will satisfy you. Turn your face towards the Holy Mosque, and wherever you are, turn your faces towards it in Prayer.46
Those who have been grant- ed the Scripture certainly know that this (injunction to change the direction of Prayer) is right and is from their Lord. Allah is not heedless of what they do. (145) And yet no matter what proofs you bring before the People of the Book they will not follow your direction of Prayer; ▶
46 This is the injunction concerning the change in the direction of Prayer which was revealed in Rajab or Sha[ban 2 A.H. According to a tradition in the Tabaqat of Ibn Sa[d, the Prophet (peace be on him) was at the house of a Companion where he had been invited to a meal. When the time of Zuhr Prayer came, the Prophet (peace be on him) rose to lead it. He had completed two rak[at and was in the third when this verse was suddenly revealed. Soon after the revelation of this verse everybody, following the Prophet’s action, turned the direction of Prayer away from Jerusalem to the Ka[bah. A public proclamation of the new injunction was then made throughout Madinah and its suburbs. The words, “We see you oft turning your face towards the sky,” and “We are turning you to the direction that will satisfy you,” clearly show that even before the revelation of this injunction the Prophet (peace be on him) was looking forward to receiving an injunction of this kind.
41
Al-Baqarah 2: 146–8
nor will you follow their direction of Prayer. None is prepared to follow the other’s direction of Prayer. Were you to follow their desires in disregard of the knowledge which has come to you, you will surely be reckoned among the wrong- doers. (146) Those to whom We have given the Scripture recognize the place (towards which one must turn in Prayer) as fully as they recognize their own sons,47 this even though a group of them knowingly conceals the Truth. (147) This is a definite Truth from your Lord; be not, then, among the doubters.
(148) Everyone has a direct- ion towards which he turns; so excel one another in good works. Allah will bring you all together wherever you might be, for nothing is beyond His power.
47 “To recognize something as fully as one recognizes one’s sons” is an Arabic idiom. It is used with regard to things which one knows without the least shadow of a doubt. The Jewish and Christian scholars were well aware that the Ka[bah had been constructed by Abraham and that Jerusalem had been built by Solomon some thirteen hundred years after that, and that in the latter’s time it was made the qiblah. This is an unquestionable historical fact and they knew it to be so.
42
Al-Baqarah 2: 149–51
(149) From wheresoever you might come forth turn your face towards the Holy Mosque; for that indeed is the Truth from your Lord, and Allah is not heedless of what you do. (150) From wheresoever you come forth turn your faces towards the Holy Mosque, and wheresoever you may be, turn your faces towards it in Prayer so that none may have an argument against you,48 unless they be those immersed in wrong-doing. Do not fear them, but fear only Me so that I may complete My favour49 upon you; perhaps you will be guided to the Right Way. (151) Just as when We sent among you a Messenger of yourselves, who recites to you Our Signs, purifies your lives, instructs you in the Book and in Wisdom, ▶
48 Any lapse in this matter on the part of Muslims would give their opponents a weapon to use against them in their polemics. They would be able to hold Muslims up to ridicule on the grounds that they had violated what they themselves claimed to be from their Lord.
49 The “favour” here refers to the position of world leadership and guidance from which God later removed the Children of Israel and which was then conferred upon this ummah. The Muslims should follow the directives of God if for no other reason than that ingratitude and disobedience might divest them of the honour that has been bestowed upon them.
43
Al-Baqarah 2: 152–8
and instructs you what you did not know. (152) So remember Me and I shall remember you; give thanks to Me and do not be ungrateful to Me for My favours.
(153) Believers! Seek help in patience and in Prayer; Allah is with those that are patient. (154) And do not say of those who are killed in the way of Allah that they are dead; they are alive even though you have no knowledge of their life. (155) We shall certainly test you by afflicting you with fear, hunger, loss of properties and lives and fruits. Give glad tidings, then, to those who remain patient; (156) those
