Qiblah (old & new)
The word Qiblah is understood by Muslims to mean the direction one should face when observing the prayer. In a more general understanding, it is meant as the focal point of the religion and thus it is the direction for prayer as well as the focal point of the Hajj (pilgrimage). We read in verse 143 of Sura 2 that God has changed the Qiblah to one that is more pleasing to prophet Muhammad and also to test the followers of the messenger:
We did not appoint the Qiblah that you were on except to distinguish the ones who follow the messenger from the ones who would turn back on their heels. 2:143
The words "the Qiblah that you were on" assert that there was an old Qiblah and that God had changed it to test the believers. The Quranic words do not specify the direction of the old Qiblah, although Muslim scholars tend to agree that it was Jerusalem. In any case, for all followers of the Quran, the knowledge of the old direction does not have any legislative value, it is only of historical value.
We are also told in the Quran that this Qiblah was changed to the Sacred Masjid in Mecca (this Qiblah has remained unchanged until the present day):
From wherever you set off, turn your face towards the Masjid Al-Haram. This is the truth from your Lord, and God is not unaware of what you do. 2:149
We read that before the revelation of the Quran there were in fact multiple Qiblahs. Each people had their own Qiblah, and it seems that in the early years when prophet Muhammad received the command to observe the Salat, he was uncertain as to which Qiblah to follow. This will all become apparent when we study the following verses:
1- If you were to bring to those who have been given the Scripture every sign, they will not follow your Qiblah, nor will you follow their Qiblah, nor do they follow each other's Qiblahs. 2:145
This verse confirms that at the time of the prophet there was more than one Qiblah. Different people had their own Qiblah. This is evident from the words: 'they do not follow each other's Qiblahs.'
2- For every one there is a direction that he faces. 2:148
This verse once again confirms that there was more than one Qiblah.
3- We inspired Moses and his brother: "Appoint for your people homes in Egypt and make of your homes a Qiblah, and observe the Salat, and give good news to the believers. 10:87
In 10:87 we also see the word 'Qiblah'. We also see the word 'Salat' in the same verse which sets the connection between the Qiblah and the Salat.
4- We have seen your face (O Muhammad) turning about the sky, and so We will direct you towards a Qiblah that you are content with. So turn your face towards the Masjid Al-Haram. 2:144
This verse gives us the impression of a person who is not able to make up his mind as to which direction (Qiblah) to face. The indecision indicates the plurality of the choice (Qiblahs). If there were only one Qiblah there would be no indecision. The verse also indicates that the indecision was more of a reluctance to follow other people's Qiblah rather than being a problem of establishing one's positional direction. This is confirmed by the words: 'a Qiblah that you are content with.' The words 'content with' indicate that prior to that there was something that was displeasing the prophet. In view of the fact that by then the revelation had started coming to the prophet, it seems understandable that he would want to disassociate himself from the practices of those around him, one of which would be their Qiblah.
So to summarize, here is the sequence of events:
1- In pre-Quranic times and during the early years of the revelation, there were multiple Qiblahs. Each people had their own Qiblah.
2- Sometime during the revelation to Muhammad God changed the Qiblah to the Sacred Masjid where it remained fixed up to our present day.
Biblical reference to Qiblah
The Quranic reference to pre-Quranic Qiblahs can be confirmed in Old Testament verses that speak of prayers observed towards specific physical locations:
1- In Daniel 6:10 we read about Daniel (messenger to Israel), who observed three daily prayers. We read how his prayers were observed towards the direction of Jerusalem:
"When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem; and he got down upon his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously"
Biblical evidence indicates that this ritual (Qiblah to Jerusalem) started at the time of Solomon and his father David.
2- In 1 Kings we read how Solomon and his people prayed in the direction of the Temple that he built for God in Jerusalem (1 Kings 8:22-44). In these verses Solomon states repeatedly that the servants of God, the people of Israel and foreigners, should pray towards the city God has chosen (Jerusalem) and in the direction of the temple he has built there for God's Name; thus the concept of Qiblah.
[1Kgs 8:22] Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven;
Then in later verses we read Solomon saying:
[1Kgs 8:28] Yet have regard to the prayer of thy servant and to his supplication, O Lord my God, hearkening to the cry and to the prayer which thy servant prays before thee this day;
[1Kgs 8:29] that thy eyes may be open night and day toward this house, the place of which thou hast said, `My name shall be there,' that thou mayest hearken to the prayer which thy servant offers toward this place.
[1Kgs 8:30] And hearken thou to the supplication of thy servant and of thy people Israel, when they pray toward this place; yea, hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place; and when thou hearest, forgive.
And once again:
[1Kgs 8:35] "When heaven is shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against thee, if they pray toward this place, and acknowledge thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou dost afflict them,
And,
[Kgs 8:38] whatever prayer, whatever supplication is made by any man or by all thy people Israel, each knowing the affliction of his own heart and stretching out his hands toward this house;
And,
[1Kgs 8:42] (for they shall hear of thy great name, and thy mighty hand, and of thy outstretched arm), when he comes and prays toward this house,
[1Kgs 8:43] hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to thee; in order that all the peoples of the earth may know thy name and fear thee, as do thy people Israel, and that they may know that this house which I have built is called by thy name.
[1Kgs 8:44] "If thy people go out to battle against their enemy, by whatever way thou shalt send them, and they pray to the Lord toward the city which thou hast chosen and the house which I have built for thy name,