the Sun of Prophethood, had fled from the dayspring
of Batha (1) unto Yathrib, (2) He continued to
turn His face, while praying, unto Jerusalem, the
holy city, until the time when the Jews began to
utter unseemly words against Him--words which
if mentioned would ill befit these pages and would
weary the reader. Muhammad strongly resented
these words. Whilst, wrapt in meditation and wonder,
He was gazing toward heaven, He heard the
kindly Voice of Gabriel, saying: "We behold Thee
from above, turning Thy face to heaven; but We
will have Thee turn to a Qiblih which shall please
Thee." (3) On a subsequent day, when the Prophet,
together with His companions, was offering the
noontide prayer, and had already performed two
of the prescribed Rik'ats, (4) the Voice of Gabriel
was heard again: "Turn Thou Thy face towards
the sacred Mosque." (5) , (6) In the midst of that same
prayer, Muhammad suddenly turned His face
away from Jerusalem and faced the Ka'bih.
Whereupon, a profound dismay seized suddenly
the companions of the Prophet. Their faith was
1. Mecca.
2. Medina.
3. Qur'án 2:144.
4. Prostrations.
5. At Mecca.
6. Qur'án 2:149.