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yourselves, and that is what is meant by the Statement of Allah "Thus We have made of you a just and the best nation that you may be witnesses over mankind and the Apostle (Muhammad) will be a witness over yourselves."

    (2.143)

Volume 6, Book 60, Number 15:

    Narrated Ibn 'Umar:

    While some people were offering Fajr prayer in the Quba' mosque, some-one came and said, "Allah has revealed to the Prophet Qur'anic instructions that you should face the Ka'ba (while praying) so you too, should face it." Those people then turned towards the Ka'ba.

Volume 6, Book 60, Number 16:

    Narrated Anas:

    None remains of those who prayed facing both Qiblas (that is, Jerusalem and Mecca) except myself.

Volume 6, Book 60, Number 17:

    Narrated Ibn 'Umar:

    While some people were offering morning prayer at Quba' a man came to them and said, "A Quranic Order has been revealed to Allah's Apostle tonight that he should face the Ka'ba at Mecca (in prayer), so you too should turn your faces towards it." At that moment their faces were towards Sham (i.e. Jerusalem) (and on hearing that) they turned towards the Ka'ba (at Mecca).

Volume 6, Book 60, Number 18:

    Narrated Ibn Umar:

    While some people were offering Fajr prayer at Quba' (mosque), some-one came to them and said, "Tonight some Qur'anic Verses have been revealed to the Prophet and he has been ordered to face the Ka'ba (at Mecca) (during prayers), so you too should turn your faces towards it." At that time their faces were towards Sham (Jerusalem) so they turned towards the Ka'ba (at Mecca).

Volume 6, Book 60, Number 19:

    Narrated Al-Bara:

    We prayed along with the Prophet facing Jerusalem for sixteen or seventeen months. Then Allah ordered him to turn his face towards the Qibla (in Mecca):--

    "And from whence-so-ever you start forth (for prayers) turn your face in the direction of (the Sacred Mosque of Mecca) Al-Masjid-ul Haram.." (2.149)

Volume 6, Book 60, Number 20:

    Narrated Ibn Umar:

    While some people were at Quba (offering) morning prayer, a man came to them and said, "Last night Quranic Verses have been revealed whereby the Prophet has been ordered to face the Ka'ba (at Mecca), so you too should face it." So they, keeping their postures, turned towards the Ka'ba. Formerly the people were facing Sham (Jerusalem) (Allah said):--

    "And from whence-so-ever you start forth (for prayers), turn your face in the direction of the Sacred Mosque of Mecca (Al-Masjid-ul-Haram), and whence-so-ever you are, turn your face towards it (when you pray)" (2.150)

Volume 6, Book 60, Number 21:

    Narrated Ibn 'Umar:

    While some people were offering Fajr prayer at Quba mosque, someone came to them and said, "Quranic literature" has been revealed to Allah's Apostle tonight, and he has been ordered to face the Ka'ba (of Mecca) so you too, should turn your faces towards it. Their faces were then towards Sham (Jerusalem), so they turned towards the Qibla (i.e. Ka'ba of Mecca)."

Volume 6, Book 60, Number 22:

    Narrated Urwa:

    I said to 'Aisha, the wife of the Prophet, and I was at that time a young boy, "How do you interpret the Statement of Allah:

    "Verily, Safa and Marwa (i.e. two mountains at Mecca) are among the Symbols of Allah."

    So it is not harmful of those who perform the Hajj to the House of Allah) or perform the Umra, to ambulate (Tawaf) between them. In my opinion it is not sinful for one not to ambulate (Tawaf) between them." 'Aisha said, "Your interpretation is wrong for as you say, the Verse should have been: "So it is not harmful of those who perform the Hajj or Umra to the House, not to ambulate (Tawaf) between them.' This Verse was revealed in connection with the Ansar who (during the Pre-Islamic Period) used to visit Manat (i.e. an idol) after assuming their Ihram, and it was situated near Qudaid (i.e. a place at Mecca), and they used to regard it sinful to ambulate between Safa and
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