Why do Muslims face the Kaaba when praying?
The qiblah was not always the Kaaba. For the first year and a half after the Hijrah, Muslims faced Jerusalem. The change — and the reason for the change — is recorded in Sūrat al-Baqarah.
10 passages from 5 books in the library
Muslims face the Kaaba because Allah directed them to it, though it was not always the qiblah. Al-Ghazali, in his Fear and Hope, records that the qiblah was initially toward Jerusalem and changed to the Kaaba after sixteen or seventeen months — a change rooted in Sūrat al-Baqarah. The passages also show the reverence the direction carries: al-Ghazali notes in Patience and Gratitude that spitting toward the qiblah is disrespectful, and Ibn Battuta describes the honoured Kaaba itself, paved with variegated stone, as the focal point of the believers' worship.
Drawn from the classical sources below — in the scholars' own words.
The classical approach.
These passages are drawn from 5 books by Ibn Kathir and Imam al-Ghazali — part of the classical Sunni tradition that carries over a thousand years of reflection on the Qurʾān, the authentic Sunnah, and the consensus of the early community. Nothing below is a paraphrase. The words are the scholars' own, translated from the original Arabic manuscripts.
14th century · Bosra, Syria
Monumental history Al-Bidāyah wa al-Nihāyah, the world's most widely read Qurʾanic commentary, and the classical Stories of the Prophets.
More on Ibn Kathir →
· Provenance →
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"or 17 months turning his back to the Kaaba. This continued until Rajab of the second year and Allah knows best. The Prophet peace be upon him longed to face the Kaaba the Qibla of Abraham and frequently supplicated to Allah for this change. Allah then revealed indeed we see your face turning in the heaven so we will surely turn you to a Qibla with which you will be pleased so turn your face toward Al-Masjid Al-Haram. When the command to change the Qibla was revealed the Prophet informed the Muslims during the Dhuhr prayer. Some say the change occurred between two prayers. The first prayer towards the Kaaba in"
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"the change occurred between two prayers. The first prayer towards the Kaaba in Medina was the Asr prayer. The people of Kuba learned of this change the next morning during their prayer and they turned towards the Kaaba upon receiving the news. In Sahih Muslim Anas ibn Malik narrates a similar account. When the command to change the Qibla to the Kaaba was revealed some mocked questioning the change. However the disbelievers among the people of the book knew this was from Allah as it was described in their scriptures that Muhammad peace be upon him would migrate to Medina and be commanded. In facing the Kaaba Allah says"
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"So turn your face toward al-Masjid al-Haram. Also from Surah al-Baqarah. Al-Baqarah. When the Qibla was changed the Jews questioned what has turned them away from their Qibla which they used to face. Allah responded say to Allah belongs the east and the west he guides whom he wills to a straight path. The Prophet peace be upon him initially prayed in Mecca towards Al-Aqsa with the Kaaba in front of him. After migrating to Medina he prayed towards Al-Aqsa for 16 or 17 months turning his back to the Kaaba. This continued until Rajab of the second year and Allah knows best. The Prophet peace be upon him longed to face"
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
· Provenance →
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"The blind person must rely on imitation, following someone known for their piety and insight, especially if that person is diligent in matters like determining the qiblah, the direction of prayer. If the qiblah is clear, they can trust the word of any just person who informs them, whether at home or while traveling. The blind and the ignorant should avoid traveling in a caravan where no one can identify the qiblah when needed, just as a layperson should not live in a town without a knowledgeable scholar to teach them the details of the shariah."
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"Twilight also helps determine the Qibla for the late night prayer, and sunrise identifies the Qibla for the dawn prayer. The sun indicates the Qibla during the five prayers, though this varies in winter and summer. The sunrise and sunset points are many but confined to two directions, so this must be learned. If one prays Maghrib and 'Isha after twilight fades and can't use it to determine the Qibla, they must observe the pole star."
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"If a rider is in a place where full bowing and prostrating are possible, they should do so. Facing the Qiblah is not obligatory at the start or during the prayer, as the path's direction indicates the Qiblah. Throughout the prayer, one should either face the Qiblah or follow the path's direction. If the mount is intentionally diverted from the path, the prayer becomes invalid, unless it's towards the Qiblah."
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"As this varies by country, it's not possible to detail it exhaustively. At sunset, the Qibla can be determined by the sun's setting place. Note whether the sun sets to the right of someone facing the Qibla or inclines towards their face or back. Twilight also helps determine the Qibla for the late night prayer, and sunrise identifies the Qibla for the dawn prayer."
14th century · Bosra, Syria
Monumental history Al-Bidāyah wa al-Nihāyah, the world's most widely read Qurʾanic commentary, and the classical Stories of the Prophets.
More on Ibn Kathir →
· Provenance →
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"placing the Kaaba between himself and it. After emigrating, he was commanded to pray towards Jerusalem for 16 or 17 months. Then, the Qibla was changed to the Kaaba, the Qibla of Abraham, during Shabban in the second year, at the time of the Asr prayer, or it is said, the Dhuhr prayer. This is elaborated in the commentary on the verse."
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"jamrah start with the first jamrah which is the furthest from mecca near the mosque of khaif place it on your left and face the qibla after throwing move slightly forward to avoid being hit by others pebbles and stand there supplicating to allah for the duration it takes to recite surah al-baqarah if possible then throw the middle jamrah placing it on your right and facing the qibla and supplicate as before finally throw the last jamrah jamrat al-aqaba placing it on your right descending into the valley facing the qibla without standing there repeat this on the second and third days if you wish to hasten and not throw on the third day bury the remaining pebbles there"
14th century · Bosra, Syria
Monumental history Al-Bidāyah wa al-Nihāyah, the world's most widely read Qurʾanic commentary, and the classical Stories of the Prophets.
More on Ibn Kathir →
· Provenance →
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"his hand, claiming he was involved in the theft. At that time, a ship belonging to a Roman merchant was wrecked at Jeddah. The Quraysh took its wood to use for roofing the Kaaba. Al-Umari mentioned that this ship belonged to Caesar, the Roman king, and was carrying construction materials for a church that the Persians had burned. Allah sent a wind that wrecked it at Jeddah. In Mecca, there was a Coptic carpenter who helped with improvements for the Kaaba. A snake lived in the well of the Kaaba, where offerings were thrown. It would rise above the wall, frightening people. One day, Allah sent a bird that snatched the snake away. The"
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