The Forty Precious Sacred Hadiths
Al-Aqsa Mosque: The First Qiblah of the Muslims
On the authority of Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both), who said:
While in Makkah, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to pray facing toward Jerusalem,
with the Ka'bah positioned directly in front of him.
After he migrated to Madinah, he continued to do so for sixteen months,
and then he was directed to face the Ka'bah.
Reported by Imam Ahmad and authenticated by al-Albani.
Vocabulary of the Hadith
"Toward Jerusalem"
Meaning: He performed his prayers facing in the direction of Jerusalem.
"With the Ka'bah positioned directly in front of him"
Meaning: He prayed in such a manner that the Ka'bah stood between him and Jerusalem.
"Then he was directed to face the Ka'bah"
Meaning: He was commanded to face the Ka'bah in Makkah al-Mukarramah,
after the Qiblah was redirected away from Jerusalem in Palestine.
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) remained in Makkah for thirteen years,
offering his prayers while facing toward Jerusalem,
placing the Ka'bah between himself and al-Aqsa Mosque.
He continued this practice after the Migration to Madinah for approximately one year and five months.
Then he was divinely commanded to change the Qiblah to the Ka'bah—may Allah honor it—
and it thus became the permanent Qiblah of the Muslims.
The fact that Jerusalem was the first Qiblah for Muslims
is proof of its virtue, high status,
sanctity, honor, and blessing.
The Qiblah serves as a unifying bond for the Ummah,
embodying interconnectedness, brotherhood, mutual support, and unity;
it is a symbol of presence and strength.
This reflects the deep-seated spirit of Islamic loyalty to Jerusalem cultivated in the hearts of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them)
from the very beginning of the Prophet's (peace be upon him) mission.
The Forty Sacred Hadiths on Jerusalem