questions to Muslims on the qibla (direction of prayer)?

Question

why was it first directed towards Jerusalem and then switched by Mohammed to Mecca?

The same with why the nature of why the Muslim day of fast was changed from that mirroring the Jewish day of atonement to the month of Ramadan.

Any constructive answers would be most appreciated

Answer 1

At one point the direction of the qibla was toward Baitul Muqaddas, Jerusalem (and it is therefore called the First of the Two Qiblas), however, this only lasted for seventeen months, after which the qibla became oriented towards the Kaaba in Mecca. According to accounts from Muhammad's companions, the change happened very suddenly during the noon prayer in Medina. Muhammad was leading the prayer when he received a revelation from Allah instructing him to take the Kaaba as the qibla (literally, "turn your face towards the Masjid al Haram"). According to the historical accounts, Muhammad, who had been facing Jerusalem, upon receiving this revelation, immediately turned around to face Mecca, and those praying behind him also did so.

The qibla, for any point of reference on the Earth, is the direction of the Kaaba. Some Muslims from North America determine this direction using a rhumb line, while most Muslims worldwide use a great circle. In Muslim religious practice, supplicants must face this direction in prayer. Muslims do not worship the Kaaba or its contents; the Kaaba is simply a focal point for prayer.

In ancient times, Muslims traveling abroad used an astrolabe to find the qibla.

Answer 2

Ramadan is determined by the lunar calender. It occurs at the ninth month of the Islamic calender. It was never changed.
Muslims believe that all revelations were send down during this month. So Ramamdan being changed from mirroring the Jewish Day Atonement is not accurate.
Yes, the direction of prayer was changed when God revelaed this to the Prophet. (Muslims believe):
Quran Chapter 2 ayats 142-145
2:142] The fools among the people would say, "Why did they change the direction of their Qiblah?"* Say, "To GOD belongs the east and the west; He guides whoever wills in a straight path."

[2:143] We thus made you an impartial community, that you may serve as witnesses among the people, and the messenger serves as a witness among you. We changed the direction of your original Qiblah only to distinguish those among you who readily follow the messenger from those who would turn back on their heels. It was a difficult test, but not for those who are guided by GOD. GOD never puts your worship to waste. GOD is Compassionate towards the people, Most Merciful.

Qiblah Restored to Mecca

[2:144] We have seen you turning your face about the sky (searching for the right direction). We now assign a Qiblah that is pleasing to you. Henceforth, you shall turn your face towards the Sacred Masjid. Wherever you may be, all of you shall turn your faces towards it. Those who received the previous scripture know that this is the truth from their Lord. GOD is never unaware of anything they do.

[2:145] Even if you show the followers of the scripture every kind of miracle, they will not follow your Qiblah. Nor shall you follow their Qiblah. They do not even follow each others' Qiblah. If you acquiesce to their wishes, after the knowledge that has come to you, you will belong with the transgressors.

I pray this answers your question.

Answer 3

Mohammad traveled to Palestine with his new religion and preached it to the Christians and Jews. They rejected him. He returned to Mecca and promptly changed the direction, most likely because he was bitter. This is reflected in the Qur'an as well. The Suras which were believed to have been written earlier speak highly of the Jews and Christians, and borrows many stories from the Tora. The parts which are believed to have been written later, i.e. after he conquered many Jewish settlements in Arabia have a much different tone, such as "don't make friends with a Jew or Christian" and "Jews pretend to listen to you, but use wordplay to insult you behind your back". It's pretty clear that many of Mohammad's decisions were politically motivated, and not instructions from God.

Answer 4

actually it was not switched by Prophet Mohammad PBUH-
every thing what has been tough or told to do..was ,by ALLAH...(what Muslim call GOD)
more detailed by hey..your first response..

and as for the fasting....we still fast the days for atonement...though we fast more than one day..we either fast 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 days...
the Ramadan..has always been there.....it has not been effected..

Answer 5

Yeah, it used to be that way. But Muslims are flip floppers as well as John Kerry. First when that school in Beslan ws bombed and 333 people died, mostly kids they didnt give a ****. But when a cartoon is made, there is almost world wide panic. They dont care about you, they figure the more westerners dead the better. They flip flop and will kill you if it gets them to heaven.

Answer 6

i don't really know the exact answer

but that guy "baghdad pete" is a moron. I go to a mosque every friday and see muslims condemning the terrorist attacts everyday. Every muslim in there. He is too stupid and arrogant to even realize that just because you don't see something, doesn't mean its not there.

Answer 7

Stand by for a lot of stupid religious quotes and loads of excuses from Muslims who will call you racist for asking the question - you should know by now - you cant ask them questions and expect to get a real & honest answer.

Answer 8

they were threatend with suicide belts if they didnt do what they were told to do. Oh wait, thats how they do things now. never mind

Answer 9

There you got the answer.

Answer 10

"HEY" got it correct.