What Qibla Did the Prophet Face at Masjid al-Aqsa?

Answered by Shaykh Yusuf Weltch

Question

When the Prophet (peace be upon him) led the other Prophets in prayer at Masjid al-Aqsa, what direction were they facing?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

Before the Medinan stage of the Prophetic biography, the direction of prayer was Bayt al-Maqdis, the Holy House in Jerusalem. [Amiri, Bahja al-Mahafil]

Being that the events of the Night Journey and Ascension occurred before the migration to Madina al-Munawwara, it seems clear that the direction faced when the Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) led the remaining prophets in prayer was Bayt al-Maqdis itself. [Ibid.]

However, scholars of the Prophetic biography do mention that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), when in Mecca, would align his prayer such that he would be facing the Holy Ka‘ba and the direction of Bayt al-Maqdis at the same time. [Razi, Mafatih al-Ghayb]

This is also in line with the Quranic verses alluding to the Prophet’s love for the Ka‘ba and his later desire to have it as the direction of prayer.

Allah Most High says,

“Indeed, We see you (O Prophet) turning your face towards heaven. Now We will make you turn towards a direction (of prayer) that will please you. So turn your face towards the Sacred Mosque (in Mecca)—wherever you are, turn your faces towards it. Those who were given the Scripture certainly know this to be the truth from their Lord. And Allah is never unaware of what they do.” [Quran; 2:144]

It is hypothetically possible that while leading the prophets in prayer inside Bayt al-Maqdis, the Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) also faced the Holy Ka‘ba; however, I have not seen clear evidence to support this.

Hope this helps
Allah knows best
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a teacher of Arabic, Islamic law, and spirituality. After accepting Islam in 2008, he went on to study at Darul Uloom Seminary in New York and completed his studies at Darul Mustafa in Tarim, Yemen.

There, he completed the memorization of the Quran and his study of Islamic Sciences. Throughout his years of study, he was blessed to learn from many great scholars: Habib Umar bin Hafiz, Habib Kazhim al-Saqqaf, Shaykh ‘Umar bin Husayn al-Khatib, and others.

Upon returning, he joined the SeekersGuidance faculty in the summer of 2019.