Chapter on the Qiblah (Direction of Prayer)

Narrated from him from Wuhayb from Abu Basir from one of the two (Imams عليه السلام), peace be upon them: (Imam عليه السلام was asked) regarding the saying of the Exalted: ‘"The foolish among the people will say: What has turned them away from their qiblah, which they were upon? Say: To Allah سبحانه وتعالى belong the East and the West. He guides whom He wills to a straight path."’ (Surah Baqarah 2:142) I (Abu Basir) said to Him عليه السلام: "Did Allah سبحانه وتعالى command Him صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم to pray toward Bayt al-Maqdis (Jerusalem)?" Imam عليه السلام said: "Yes. Do you not see that Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Exalted, says: ‘'And We did not make the qiblah which you were upon except that We might know who follows the Messenger from those who turn back on their heels. And indeed, it was difficult except for those whom Allah سبحانه وتعالى has guided. And Allah سبحانه وتعالى would never let your faith go to waste. Indeed, Allah سبحانه وتعالى is Kind and Merciful to the people.'‘" (Surah Baqarah 2:143) Imam عليه السلام said: "The tribe of Banu Abd al-Ashhal came to them while they were in prayer and had already prayed two rak’ahs facing Bayt al-Maqdis. It was said to them, 'Indeed, your Prophet has now been directed toward the Ka’bah.' So the women switched places with the men, and the men switched places with the women, and they made the remaining two rak’ahs facing the Ka’bah. Thus, they prayed one prayer toward two qiblahs. For that reason, their mosque was named 'Masjid al-Qiblatayn' (the Mosque of the Two Qiblahs)."