Three Questions by a Christian and their Answers — Page 4
4 to doubt. 5 The verses which follow continue to deal with the same subject. Allah says: 6 That is: From wheresoever thou comest forth, turn thy face towards the Kaaba; for that indeed is the truth from thy Lord. It is obvious that these verses relate to the Kaaba and to nothing else. Since the commandment requiring worship- pers to turn towards the Kaaba in their prayers is a general injunction addressed to all believers—some of whom, due to their susceptible dispositions, may be prone to doubt and uncertainty—they have been told not to be troubled as to why they have turned their faces towards the Kaaba while they had previously been offering their prayers facing Jeru- salem. They were told that there is nothing new in the change, for, it had been ordained right from the beginning and had been foretold by the Prophets of God. They should, therefore, not be in any doubt about it. The other verse which the critic has quoted to support his claim is from S u rah Al-An‘ a m, which is given here with its accompanying verses: 5 This is a reference to earlier Scriptures, including the New Testament, which contain prophetic reference to the change of Qibla. For instance, it is written, "Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. "—John 4:21-24 [Author] 6 Al-Baqarah, 2:150 [Publishers]