The changing of Qiblah from Bayt al-Maqdis (Masjid al-Aqsa) to the Holy Ka’bah displeased the Jews, munafiqun (hypocrites) and the mushrikun (polytheists). They said: “What made them change their previous Qiblah? What is the reason for them facing once one Qiblah, and then another?”

As an answer to them, Allâh Ta’âlâ revealed the 142nd Verse of Surah al-Baqarah: “…Say: To Allah belongs the east and the west. He guides whom He wills to a straight path.” In other words, this verse is telling us: Our obligation is holding firmly on the commands of Allâh Ta’âlâ and nothing else. We turn towards wherever Allah Almighty commands us to do. Obedience is to comply with the command of Allâh Subhânahû.

After Qiblah was changed to the Holy Ka’bah, some Muslims raised their concerns, saying: “What about our Salah when we prayed facing the Bayt al-Maqdis until now? And some of our fellow brothers passed on before performing their Salah facing towards the Holy Ka’bah. What will their situations be like?” Then Allâh Ta’âlâ sent down the 143rd Ayah of Surah al-Baqara, which says: “He would not cause your (Salah Which are the sign and emblem of your) faith to be in vain…”

After Qiblah was changed towards the Ka’bah Muazzama, the Jews began to talk saying, “Muhammad has missed the city of his father, he wants to please his people too. That is why he turned toward the Ka’bah. If he were steadfast on our Qiblah, we would say he is the promised Prophet that we read about in our book.”

Upon that, Allâh Ta’âlâ revealed: “…Those to whom the scriptures were given know this (the command of changing the Qiblah) to be the truth from their Rabb (Lord). And Allah is not unaware of what they do.” (Surah al-Baqarah, verse 144)

Besides, the previous prophets informed their ummahs (communities) that the Last Prophet Sallallâhu Alayhi Wa Sallam would be Sahibu’l-Qiblahtain (Owner of two Qiblahs). This fact was written in their Scriptures. The Ulama (Scholars) of People of the Book knew about that fact but made this an excuse to deny it.