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The Qiblah

Muslims pray Salaah facing the Ka'bah. The Qiblah is an Arabic term which refers to the direction towards which Muslims pray. Mosques are generally built facing the Qiblah. Any buildings converted to Mosques are clothed with Musallahs (prayer mats) which are laid out facing in that direction.

Allah Ta'ala says in the Qur'an:

We see the turning of thy face (for guidance to the heavens: now Shall We turn thee to a Qiblah that shall please thee. Turn then Thy face in the direction of the sacred Mosque: Wherever ye are, turn your faces in that direction. The people of the Book know well that that is the truth from their Lord. Nor is Allah unmindful of what they do. (2:144)

Back in the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), it was relatively easy to find the direction of the Qiblah within the city of Makkah. Leaving Makkah, the Qiblah could have been guessed through the relative directions etc. But for people from other countries, it was difficult to find the exact direction of Makkah, nevermind the Holy Mosque or the Ka'bah itself. Yet through revalation, Allah instructed the Prophet (peace be upon him) to ask his companions to build Mosques using landmarks facing towards the exact location of the Ka'bah.

Take a look at the video below for more information:

 

 
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