Where was the first Qibla of Islam?
The first Qibla of Islam was Al-Quds, also known as Jerusalem. Initially, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his followers prayed facing this direction for about sixteen to seventeen months after the migration to Medina. This practice was later changed when Allah commanded the Prophet to turn towards the Ka'bah in Mecca.
As narrated in Sahih Muslim, The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to pray facing Al-Quds, and then the verse was revealed: 'Indeed, We see the turning of your face toward the heaven, and We will surely turn you to a qibla with which you will be pleased. So turn your face toward al-Masjid al-Haram.' Then a man from Banu Salama passed by while they were bowing in the Fajr prayer, after having prayed one raka'ah, and he called out: Indeed, the qiblah has been changed. So they inclined, as they were, towards the new qiblah.
Sahih Muslim 5:20
This change was significant, as it marked a pivotal moment in the establishment of the Islamic identity and the direction of prayer for Muslims worldwide.
Sources
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Sahih Muslim 5:20
Sahih Muslim · Book 5, Hadith 20 · Narrated by Anas
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to pray facing Al-Quds, and then the verse was revealed: "Indeed, We see the turning of your face toward the heaven, and We will surely turn you to a qibla with which you will be pleased. So turn your face toward al-Masjid al-Haram." Then a man from Banu Salama passed by while they were bowing in the Fajr prayer, after having prayed one raka'ah, and he called out: Indeed, the qiblah has been changed. So they inclined, as they were, towards the new qiblah.
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