English translation
7252. Narrated Al-Barā': When Allāh's Messenger ﷺ arrived at Al-Madīna, he offered Ṣalāt (prayer) facing Jerusalem for sixteen or seventeen months but he wished that he would be ordered to face the Ka'bah. So Allāh تعالى revealed: "Verily! We have seen the turning of your (Muhammad's ﷺ) face towards the heaven. Surely, We shall turn you to a Qiblah (prayer direction) that shall please you..." (V.2:144) Thus he was directed towards the Ka'bah. A man offered the Aṣr prayer with the Prophet ﷺ and then went out, and passing by some people from the Anṣār, he said, "I testify that I have offered Ṣalāt (prayer) with the Prophet ﷺ and he (the Prophet ﷺ) has offered prayers facing the Ka'bah." Thereupon, they, who were bowing in the Aṣr prayer, turned towards the Ka'bah.
