The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 1) — Page 252
CH. 2 150. And from AL-BAQARAH thou comest forth, "turn thy face that is indeed the truth from thy Lord. And Allah is not PT. 2 وَمَا اللَّهُ بِغَافِلٍ عَمَّا تَعْمَلُوْنَ وَمِنْ حَيْثُ خَرَجْتَ فَوَلِ وَجْهَكَ شَطْرَ wheresoever الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ وَإِنَّهُ لَلْحَقُّ مِنْ رَّبِّكَ towards the Sacred Mosque; for وَمِنْ حَيْثُ خَرَجْتَ فَوَلِ وَجْهَكَ شَطْرَ And from wheresoever. 151 الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ وَحَيْثُ مَا كُنْتُمْ فَوَلَّوْا ;towards the Sacred Mosque وُجُوهَكُمْ شَطْرَهُ لِئَلَّا يَكُونَ لِلنَّاسِ unmindful of what you do. 156 thou comest forth, turn thy face and wherever you be, turn your faces towards it that people may "See 2:145. b2:145, 150. which he turns his face. In both these senses the underlying idea is that of engrossment and devotion. 156. Important Words: (thou comest forth) is from which means: (1) he came forth; (2) he went forth; (3) he came forth or went forth for a battle (Aqrab). Commentary: Now when the Ka'bah had been appointed the Qiblah of Muslims, it became necessary that Mecca should come under their control. The verse under comment suitably refers to that matter. Muslims are bidden henceforward to direct all their energies to the conquest of Mecca. In all his campaigns, the Holy Prophet was commanded to keep in view the taking of Mecca, which had now become the centre of Islam. This is borne out by the expression (thou comest forth) which also means "thou goest forth for a battle". The word "thou comest forth or goest forth" has thus nothing to do with the turning of the face to the Ka'bah, at the time of Prayers; for Prayers are not performed walking. Obviously the commandment cannot mean that one should, while walking, pray with one's face turned toward the Ka'bah. The words, for that is indeed the truth from thy Lord, evidently imply that Mecca was sure to fall one day into the hands of the Holy Prophet. As considering the then helpless condition of the Muslims, such an achievement appeared to be almost impossible, So God gave His Messenger the assurance that the promise was a true one and its fulfilment was absolutely certain. The expression, and Allah is not unmindful of what you do, provides a reason for the above promise. God was well aware of the deeds of the Muslims, knowing full well how they were striving to win His favour; so He could not let their labours go unrewarded. Just as He had established their connection with the Ka'bah spiritually, so would He make them its masters physically. 252