65/2.17. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 4491 — Fajr Prayer and the New Qibla
"Those to whom We gave the Scripture (Jews and Christians) recognise him (Muhammad or the Ka'bah at Makkah) as they recognise their sons..." (V.2:146).
Hadith About Fajr Prayer and the New Qibla
Sahih Bukhari : 4491
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 4491
حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ قَزَعَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا مَالِكٌ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ دِينَارٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ بَيْنَا النَّاسُ بِقُبَاءٍ فِي صَلاَةِ الصُّبْحِ إِذْ جَاءَهُمْ آتٍ فَقَالَ إِنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَدْ أُنْزِلَ عَلَيْهِ اللَّيْلَةَ قُرْآنٌ، وَقَدْ أُمِرَ أَنْ يَسْتَقْبِلَ الْكَعْبَةَ فَاسْتَقْبِلُوهَا. وَكَانَتْ وُجُوهُهُمْ إِلَى الشَّأْمِ فَاسْتَدَارُوا إِلَى الْكَعْبَةِ.
Ibn 'Umar Narrated from:
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 (ﷺ) 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).
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 4491In-book reference : Book 65, Hadith 18USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 6, Book 60, Hadith 18
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 4491
This hadith about Fajr prayer and the new Qibla again shows the people of Quba receiving the order during prayer. Someone came to them and said that Qur'anic verses had been revealed that night, and the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم had been ordered to face the Kaaba during prayers. They were told to turn their faces toward it. At that time, their faces were toward Sham, explained in the translation as Jerusalem, so they turned toward the Kaaba at Makkah. The report is simple and direct. It shows that the prayer direction was not a personal choice for them. When the instruction from revelation reached them, they followed it as part of their prayer.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Qibla command reached the people during Fajr prayer.
- The order was reported as Qur'anic revelation to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم.
- They changed direction from Jerusalem to the Kaaba.
- The hadith presents worship as following revealed instruction.
