shouldnt they pray facing the moon?
2007-03-15 01:01:14 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
You are back with the same ignorant questions. Are you running out of insults?
2007-03-15 02:16:51 · answer #1 · answered by ♥ terry g ♥ 7 · 5⤊ 2⤋
Face Mecca while praying. (Sura 2:144). Face Jerusalem while praying. Originally Muhammad instructed Muslims to face Jerusalem when praying; probably because Solomon established the practice of praying while facing Jerusalem (1 Kings 8:29, 30, 44; 2 Chronicles 6:21; Daniel 6:10). Apparently, Muhammad believed at first that God wanted him to pray facing Jerusalem and he did so for nearly 16-17 months - at least while he thought the he could convert the Jews to his religion. However, later, when the Jews rebuffed him Muhammad preferred to pray towards the Ka'ba in Mecca which, during this point in time, contained 360 idols.
Sahih Bukhari Volume 1, Book 8, Number 392:
Narrated Bara' bin 'Azib:
Allah's Apostle prayed facing Baitul-Maqdis for sixteen or seventeen months but he loved to face the Ka'ba (at Mecca) so Allah revealed: "Verily, We have seen the turning of your face to the heaven!" (2:144) So the Prophet faced the Ka'ba and the fools amongst the people namely "the Jews" said, "What has turned them from their Qibla (Bait-ul-Maqdis) which they formerly observed"" (Allah revealed): "Say: 'To Allah belongs the East and the West. He guides whom he will to a straight path'." (2:142) A man prayed with the Prophet (facing the Ka'ba) and went out. He saw some of the Ansar praying the 'Asr prayer with their faces towards Bait-ul-Maqdis, he said, "I bear witness that I prayed with Allah's Apostle facing the Ka'ba." So all the people turned their faces towards the Ka'ba.
2007-03-16 00:54:35 · answer #2 · answered by djmantx 7 · 2⤊ 3⤋
Of course, it's obvious you're not looking for the answer, but I'll answer anyway just in case someone is interested.
-- Mecca is the CENTER of the world; ever knew that? Center of the ENTIRE world, honeys.
-- It's to do with unity; ALLLLLL Muslims pray in the DIRECTION of Mecca, not to Mecca or any stone in it, honeys. How do you think that feels? You're praying at the SAME time that many other Muslims around your region are praying, facing the exact same direction to the exact same God who created us all.
-- What's wrong with choosing one specific direction to pray in? :| Instead of having different times, different directions for the SAME group of people? I think it's quite an organized, united way of praying.
Oh, whatever about the moon thing. :) You're free to think as you please abt Muslims because we ourselves know Whom we worship, okie? :D
~ Peace and blessings of God be upon the world and all of its citizens. ~
2007-03-15 10:50:07 · answer #3 · answered by ♡♥ sHaNu ♥♡ 4 · 4⤊ 2⤋
you are right in saying that Mecca is very sacred to Muslims and they have to face "Kaaba" while offering salah(prayer).and along with all the other principles of Islam this principle also has a bulk of logic behind it .let us analise the logic behind it .
Kaaba is the Qibla i.e. the direction Muslims face during their prayers. It is
important to note that though Muslims face the Kaaba during prayers, they do
not worship the Kaaba. Muslims worship and bow to none but Allah.
It is mentioned in Surah Baqarah:
“We see the turning of thy face (for guidance) to the heavens: now shall We turn thee to a Qiblah that shall please thee. Turn then thy face in the direction of the Sacred Mosque:wherever ye are, turn your faces in that
direction.” [Al-Qur’an 2:144]
1. Islam believes in fostering unity
For instance, if Muslims want to offer Salaah (Prayer), it is possible that some may wish to face north, while some may wish to face south. In order to unite Muslims in their worship of the One True God, Muslims, wherever they may be,
are asked to face in only one direction i.e. towards the Kaaba.
If some Muslims live towards the west of the Kaaba they face the east. Similarly if they live towards the east of the Kaaba they face the west.
2. Kaaba is at the Centre of the World Map
The Muslims were the first people to draw the map of the world. They drew the map with the south facing upwards and north downwards. The Kaaba was at the centre. Later, western cartographers drew the map upside down with the
north facing upwards and south downwards. Yet,Alhamdullilah the Kaaba is at the centre of the world map.
3. Tawaf around Kaaba for indicating one God
When the Muslims go to Masjid-e-Haram in Makkah, they perform tawaf or circumambulation round the Kaaba. This act symbolizes the belief and worship of One God, since, just as every circle has one centre, so also there is only one
Allah (swt) worthy of worship.
4. Hadith of Umar (may Allah be pleased with him)
Regarding the black stone, hajr-e-aswad,
there is a hadith (tradition), attributed
to the illustrious companion of the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh), Umar (may Allah
be pleased with him).
According to Sahih Bukhari, Volume 2, book of Hajj, chapter 56, H.No. 675.
Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “I know that you are a stone and can neither benefit nor harm. Had I not seen the Prophet (pbuh) touching (and
kissing) you, I would never have touched (and kissed) you”.
5. People stood on Kaaba and gave the adhaan
At the time of the Prophet, people even stood on the Kaaba and gave the ‘adhaan’ or the call to prayer. One may ask those who allege that Muslims worship the Kaaba; which idol worshipper stands on the idol he worships?
Hope this clearifies why Muslims face Kaaba while praying.
May Peace Mercy and Blessings of Allah(swt) be on all of you.
2007-03-15 21:35:42 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
Well its symbolic to pray towards mecca...for the unity of muslims....secondly Mecca is in the center and it is easy for all the muslims to face it and pray towards it......Well in the beggining muslims were confused to where way they should pray so to make it easy they are ordered to face the mecca...he realy doe't care but muslim of that time asked for specific direction for their ease.This is called unity of muslim that they pray in one direction.
Quran 2:144
"Indeed We see the turning of your face to heaven, so We shall surely turn you to a qiblah which you shall like; turn then your face towards the Sacred Mosque, and wherever you are, turn your face towards it, and those who have been given the Book most surely know that it is the truth from their Lord; and Allah is not at all heedless of what they do
have a nice day !!!
2007-03-15 08:07:17 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 8⤊ 3⤋
Mecca is the holiest city in Islam. The city is revered by Muslims for containing the holiest site of Islam, the Masjid al-Haram, and a pilgrimage that involves an extended visit to the city is required of all able-bodied Muslims who can afford to go at least once in an individual's lifetime.
Why would they pray to the moon?
2007-03-15 08:04:57 · answer #6 · answered by stevies_girl2 2 · 8⤊ 5⤋
Mecca is meant to be a sacred city.
I don't believe it though. Its just what certain people want to do with their lives ..
have a good day sista!!
2007-03-15 08:04:47 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 5⤋
You do not want an honest answer to this question of yours. Your ignorance is obvious with your insulting 'moon' insinuence.
Get your ass into a library and learn something.
2007-03-15 08:11:04 · answer #8 · answered by cullentoons 2 · 9⤊ 4⤋
Mecca is where it all started for Muslims.
2007-03-15 08:05:11 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 5⤋
for the same reason jews face east when they pray. It's the direction of the holy land...duh
2007-03-15 08:03:47 · answer #10 · answered by steven c 2 · 9⤊ 5⤋