Philosophy in changing the direction of worship - Quran Chapter 2- 143b (Pt-2, Stg-1) (L-169) - درس قرآن

Quran Chapter 2- 143b (Pt-2, Stg-1) (L-169) - درس قرآن

Philosophy in changing the direction of worship

Surah ‘Al-Baqarah (The Cow) – Chapter – 2)

‘A-‘uu-zu  Billaahi minash-Shay-taanir- Rajiim. 
(I seek refuge in God from Satan the outcast.)

Bis-Millaahir-Rah-maanir-Rahiim.
(In the name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful.)

وَمَا جَعَلْنَا ٱلْقِبْلَةَ ٱلَّتِى كُنتَ عَلَيْهَآ إِلَّا لِنَعْلَمَ مَن يَتَّبِعُٱلرَّسُولَ مِمَّن يَنقَلِبُ عَلَىٰ عَقِبَيْهِ  (143  b

143b.  And We appointed the qiblah which ye formerly observed only that We might know him who followeth the Messenger, from him who turneth on his heels.

143b.  Wa maa ja-‘alnal-Qiblatal-latii kunta ‘alayhaaa ‘illaa li-Na’-lama many-yattabi-‘ur-Rasuula  mim-many-yanqalibu ‘alaa ‘aqibayh.

Commentary

Li-Na’-lama – (that We might know) the word “‘ilm”  (knowledge) is used here only for distinction, identification and recognition.

It was the blessed habit of the Messenger of God Almighty Muhammad (glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him) that in which matter there was no instruction from God Almighty, in that matter, He (glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him) used to choose the manner of former Prophets (peace be upon Them), for instance; the prayer had become duty to offer, but there was no clear command available regarding Qiblah. Messenger of Allah Almighty used to offer prayers by turning towards the Temple of Jerusalem, which was the Qiblah of the Children of Israel. It is known clearly from the words of this verse also ‘Wa maa ja-‘alNaa’ that in the beginning to face unto the former Qiblah was with the sanction of God Almighty. When He (glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him) flew from Makkah to Madina, even then, the Temple of Jerusalem (Bayt ul Muqaddas) remained Qiblah too. But after a period of nearly sixteen months, God Almighty commanded to change the Qiblah and Ka’-bah (The Square Building at Makkah) was appointed as Qiblah of the Muslims.

God Almighty commands in this verse: The purpose to keep the Qiblah to Bayt ul Muqaddas (the Temple of Jerusalem) was temporarily for a short time so that the Obedient and the Violent may be separated”. 

The Idolaters of Makkah were not convinced for reverence of the Qiblah as the Temple of Jerusalem. So it was a clear sign of embracing Islam in Makkah that every individual has to offer his prayers turning towards the Temple of Jerusalem. Near to the Jews and the Christians of Madinah, the Temple of Makkah had no honor. So in Madinah it became the sign of embracing Islam that the prayer should be offered facing towards the BaytUllaah (Ka’-ba), the Temple at Mecca. Here upon, it became easy to make a distinction among the Muslims and the Non-Muslims.

If the Temple of Makkah were Qiblah (BaytUllaah) instead of the Temple of Jerusalem (Bayt ul Muqaddas) during the life in Makkah then probably, the people of Makkah might consider it as a kind of flattery and they might embrace Islam due to their own country’s Qiblah instead of taking this religion as the Order of God Almighty. Thus Islam is pure from all these objects. Teaching of the religion is not for favor of any particular nation or race. Islam has come for the entire world and its teachings are for the entire nations forever.

Transliterated Holy Qur’an in Roman Script & Translated from Arabic to English by Marmaduke Pickthall, Published by Paak Company, 17-Urdu Bazaar, Lahore, Lesson collected from Dars e Qur’aan published By Idara Islaah wa Tableegh, Lahore (translated Urdu to English by Muhammad Sharif). https://youtu.be/lSwuyTdRSKM