Changes of the Direction of Praying (Kiblat)??

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swariffin

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Dear all Muslims in this Forum,

I watched the National Geographic Society film. The title was “Inside Jerusalem”. In the film, the narator said that the direction of the praying (Kiblat, forgive me if I am wrong spelling the word) was to Jerusalem, i.e. the Al-Aqsa mosque. Later, the Kiblat was changed to Mecca (the Ka’ Bah, to be exact). Why was the change? and what reason? who decided? Just to know more about Islam.
 
Qiblah? Originally prayers were directed toward Jerusalem (traditionally, the early Christians also prayed toward the East, as did the Jews), but Muhammad received a message from GOD telling him to change the direction to Makkah (Mecca) during his noon prayers, specifically the Ka’aba. He received this message at the Masjid al-Qiblatain. The prayers toward Jerusalen lasted seventeen months, then Muhammad changed directions…

Prayers and petitions,
Alexius:cool:
 
Dear Alexius and Abdul,

Thanks for the info.

To Abdul, why the change has something to do with the People of the Scriptures? We the Catholics do not have to face a certain direction when praying (the qiblah), anyway. I never hear that the Jew has to face to a certain direction either.
 
swariffin said:
Dear Alexius and Abdul,

Thanks for the info.

To Abdul, why the change has something to do with the People of the Scriptures? We the Catholics do not have to face a certain direction when praying (the qiblah), anyway. I never hear that the Jew has to face to a certain direction either.
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The Jews from at least 200 AD prayed toward the Temple Mount, or simply in an Eastern direction (Western/Wailing Wall…I Kings 8:35-36 implies prayer direction). This is known as mizrah (“east”). Traditionally, Christians prayed toward the East, specifically Jerusalem, because 1) the Son will come from the East and 2) it is an established tradition carried over from Judaism. I pray toward the East, as do many Orthodox and Eastern Catholics. In fact, if one saw me praying, one might think I am a Muslim. Also, churches were build with the altar facing East. Many, especially Western Christian churches, are no longer build with this direstional orientation. An icon corner in ones’ house is also supposed to face East.

Prayers and petitions,
Alexius:cool:
 
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