Masjid Al-Qiblatain – The Mosque of Two Qiblas

Masjid Al-Qiblatain (the Mosque of Two Qiblas) is a historic mosque in Madinah. It is located in the area of Banu Salama, on the edge of the western volcanic land (Harrah) of Al-Wabara.

This mosque is famous because it is where the direction of prayer (qibla) was changed during a prayer. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his companions were originally praying toward Jerusalem, but during one prayer, a verse from the Quran was revealed telling them to face the Kaaba in Makkah instead. So they turned while still in prayer.

The Prophet had prayed toward Al-Aqsa for 16 or 17 months before this change. After the revelation of Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:144, he turned toward the Kaaba. One of the companions told other Muslims about it, and they too changed their direction while praying.

The mosque was first rebuilt by order of King Abdulaziz Al Saud in 1931 CE (1350 AH), and it was later expanded during the time of King Fahd bin Abdulaziz in 1988 CE (1408 AH).