Volume 1, Book 2, Number 39:
Narrated Al-Bara’ (bin ‘Azib):
When the Prophet came to Medina, he stayed first with his grandfathers or maternal uncles from
Ansar. He offered his prayers facing Baitul-Maqdis (Jerusalem) for sixteen or seventeen months, but
he wished that he could pray facing the Ka’ba (at Mecca). The first prayer which he offered facing
the Ka’ba was the ‘Asr prayer in the company of some people. Then one of those who had offered that
prayer with him came out and passed by some people in a mosque who were bowing during their
prayers (facing Jerusalem). He said addressing them, “By Allah, I testify that I have prayed with Al –
lah’s Apostle facing Mecca (Ka’ba).’ Hearing that, those people changed their direction towards the
Ka’ba immediately. Jews and the people of the scriptures used to be pleased to see the Prophet facing
Jerusalem in prayers but when he changed his direction towards the Ka’ba, during the prayers, they
disapproved of it.
Al-Bara’ added, “Before we changed our direction towards the Ka’ba (Mecca) in prayers, some
Muslims had died or had been killed and we did not know what to say about them (regarding their
prayers.) Allah then revealed: And Allah would never make your faith (prayers) to be lost (i.e. the
prayers of those Muslims were valid).’ ” (2:143).