IMAM ABU AL-FIDA' ISMA~L IBN KATH~R 247Ahmad related, from Ibn 'Abbs, evidence supporting this and that is what is
clearly implied by the account of al-Bar2 b. 'Azib, as will be shown. But God
knows best. It is also said to date from Sha'bzn in that year.
Ibn Is&q stated, after his account of the raid conducted by 'Abd All& b.
J&sh, "It is said that the change in the direction of the prayer occurred in
Sha'bitn, at the beginning of the 18th month following the arrival of the
Messenger of God (SAAS) in Medina."
Ibn Jarir related this through al-Suddi with a chain of authorities from Ibn
'Abbits, Ibn Masciid and various Companions.
The great majority of scholars maintain that it was changed in fact in the
middle of Sha'bm, at the start of the 18th month following the hegira.
It was also related from Muhammad b. Sag, on the authority of al-Witqidi to
the effect that it was changed on a Tuesday in midSha'ban, though there is
some dispute about this. God knows best.
We argued against this, with evidence, in the Tafiir (Exegesrs) regarding the
words of the Almighty, 'LWe see you turning your face about in the sky and we
shall provide you with a qrbla that will please you. Turn your face towards the
Sacred Mosque; wherever you may be, turn your face towards it. Those to whom
the Book has been brought know that it is the truth from their Lord. And God
is not unaware of what they do" (siirat al-Baqara; 11, v.144). 11
(My commentary also examines) the objections made both before and after
the change by foolish Jews, hypocrites and low-down ignorant people, and their
criticisms were because this was the first abrogation that occurred in Islam.
Regarding this, God had previously stated in the course of the Qur'm the per-
missibility of making abrogation. He had stated, "Whatsoever verse we may can-
cel or cause to be forgotten we replace with one better or similar. Do you not
know that God is capable of all things?" (siirat a&Baqara; 11, v.106).
Al-Bukhari had stated, "Abn Nu'aym related to us, (that he had) heard
Zuhayr (say) from Aba Ishnq, from al-Bara', who said that the Prophet (SAAS)
prayed towards Jerusalem for 16 or 17 months, though it would have pleased
him to have faced towards the kacba. He also said that the first time he wor-
shipped towards it was during the al-'ay (late afternoon) prayer. Others were
praying along with him at that time. Afterwards a man who had been with him
there passed by some people in a mosque prostrated in prayer. He told them, 'I
swear by God, I have prayed with the Prophet (SAAS) in the direction of
Mecca.' They turned right then and there towards the kacba. We didn't know
what to say about people who had died or been killed before the direction for
prayer was changed. And so God sent down, 'God is not one to consider your
prayer as valueless; God is merciful and kind towards people"' (siirat al-Baqara;
11, v. 143).
Muslim related this from another path.
Ibn Aba H%im stated, "Aha Zur'a related to us, quoting al-Hasan b. 'Auyya
quoting Isra'il, from Aba Ishsq, from al-Bar%", who said, 'The Messenger of