The qibla change
From Jerusalem to the Kaaba.
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A historic mosque in north-west Medina where, Muslims believe, the Prophet received the command during the noon prayer to change the qibla, the direction of prayer, from Jerusalem to the Kaaba. Hence its name, the Mosque of the Two Qiblas. It was built by Sawad ibn Ghanam ibn Ka'b al-Ansari in the year 2 AH (623 CE) and is one of the oldest mosques in Medina. It was one of very few mosques in the world to have two mihrabs facing different ways. Its story goes with verse 144 of Surat al-Baqarah: «So turn your face towards the Sacred Mosque». The mosque was completely rebuilt in 1987 under King Fahd, with a modern design, new domes and minarets and larger prayer halls. The old mihrab facing Jerusalem was removed and the one facing the Kaaba kept. The white building and its two minarets stand out clearly from the road. Many pilgrims visit on a tour of Medina's sites. Entry is free and the mosque is open for prayers. Many combine it with the Seven Mosques, about two kilometres away.
From Jerusalem to the Kaaba.
Built in 2 AH.
One tour for both.
About 5 km north-west of the Prophet's Mosque, Medina
Because Muslims believe the Prophet received the command here, during the noon prayer, to change the qibla from Jerusalem to the Kaaba, so prayer here faced both directions.
