Qiblah (Direction)

The foolish among the people say, 'What turned them from the sacred direction they once faced?' Say: ‘To Allah belong the East and the West.

2:142The foolish of the people will say: What hath turned them from the qiblah which they formerly observed? Say: Unto Allah belong the East and the West. He guideth whom He will unto a straight path.

Say, 'We believe in Allah and in what was revealed to us, and in what was sent to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the tribes, and in what was given to Moses and Jesus, and in what was given to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between them, and to Him we submit.'

2:143Thus We have appointed you a middle nation, that ye may be witnesses against mankind, and that the messenger may be a witness against you. And We appointed the qiblah which ye formerly observed only that We might know him who followeth the messenger, from him who turneth on his heels. In truth it was a hard (test) save for those whom Allah guided. But it was not Allah's purpose that your faith should be in vain, for Allah is Full of Pity, Merciful toward mankind.

We have seen you, O Prophet, turning your face toward the heavens in anticipation. Now, We will direct you toward a prayer direction that pleases you. So, turn your face toward the Sacred Mosque, and wherever you are, turn your faces toward it. Those who were given the Scripture know that this is the truth from their Lord.

2:144We have seen the turning of thy face to heaven (for guidance, O Muhammad). And now verily We shall make thee turn (in prayer) toward a qiblah which is dear to thee. So turn thy face toward the Inviolable Place of Worship, and ye (O Muslims), wheresoever ye may be, turn your faces (when ye pray) toward it. Lo! Those who have received the Scripture know that (this revelation) is the Truth from their Lord. And Allah is not unaware of what they do.

Righteousness is not merely turning your faces toward the east or west. True righteousness is in one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets, and who gives wealth, despite loving it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, travellers, and those who ask for help, and for freeing slaves. It is in those who establish prayer, give charity, fulfil their promises, and remain patient in hardship and adversity. These are the truthful ones, and they are the truly righteous.

2:177It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces to the East and the West; but righteous is he who believeth in Allah and the Last Day and the angels and the Scripture and the prophets; and giveth wealth, for love of Him, to kinsfolk and to orphans and the needy and the wayfarer and to those who ask, and to set slaves free; and observeth proper worship and payeth the poor-due. And those who keep their treaty when they make one, and the patient in tribulation and adversity and time of stress. Such are they who are sincere. Such are the Allah-fearing.

Even if you bring every proof to those who were given the Scripture, they will not follow your direction of prayer, nor will you follow theirs. Neither will they follow one another’s direction. If you were to follow their desires after knowledge has come to you, you would surely be among the wrongdoers.

2:145And even if thou broughtest unto those who have received the Scripture all kinds of portents, they would not follow thy qiblah, nor canst thou be a follower of their qiblah; nor are some of them followers of the qiblah of others. And if thou shouldst follow their desires after the knowledge which hath come unto thee, then surely wert thou of the evil-doers.

Those to whom We have given the Scripture recognize this truth as they recognize their own children. Yet some knowingly conceal the truth.

2:146Those unto whom We gave the Scripture recognise (this revelation) as they recognise their sons. But lo! a party of them knowingly conceal the truth.

Each community has its own direction toward which it turns; so race one another in acts of goodness. Wherever you may be, God will gather you all together—surely God has power over everything.

2:148And each one hath a goal toward which he turneth; so vie with one another in good works. Wheresoever ye may be, Allah will bring you all together. Lo! Allah is Able to do all things.

Wherever you go, turn your face toward the Sacred Mosque. This is the truth from your Lord, and Allah is never unaware of what you do.

2:149And whencesoever thou comest forth (for prayer, O Muhammad) turn thy face toward the Inviolable Place of Worship. Lo! it is the Truth from thy Lord. Allah is not unaware of what ye do.

Wherever you go, turn toward the Sacred Mosque so that people will have no argument against you, except those who act unjustly. Do not fear them; fear Me, so that I may complete My favour upon you and guide you.

2:150Whencesoever thou comest forth turn thy face toward the Inviolable Place of Worship; and wheresoever ye may be (O Muslims) turn your faces toward it (when ye pray) so that men may have no argument against you, save such of them as do injustice - Fear them not, but fear Me! - and so that I may complete My grace upon you, and that ye may be guided.

We inspired Moses and his brother: “Settle your people in Egypt and make your homes places of worship. Establish prayer and give good news to the believers.”

10:87And We inspired Moses and his brother, (saying): Appoint houses for your people in Egypt and make your houses oratories, and establish worship. And give good news to the believers.

In houses Allah has permitted to be raised and where His name is remembered, there, morning and evening

24:36(This lamp is found) in houses which Allah hath allowed to be exalted and that His name shall be remembered therein. Therein do offer praise to Him at morn and evening.