God made Mecca sacred by placing His shrine there, and He already decided that all believers worldwide face Mecca in prayer.1, 2
Changing the Qiblah was a test from God to distinguish those who follow the messenger from those who turn back on their heels.1, 2, 3
Some early Muslims disobeyed the order about the prayer direction because their tribal prejudices were stronger than their belief in God, so it was a tough test requiring complete submission.1, 2, 3, 4
God sends inspiration, such as a dream shown to a believer during the qiblah debate, to set believers on the right path and direction.1, 2, 3
The command to face the qiblah is repeated, first to Muhammad and then to us.1
The shortest distance to Mecca is a straight line through the earth, which from Tucson is east, not the northeast route over the North Pole.1, 2, 3
The temporary prayer direction toward Jerusalem was a test to distinguish those who follow the messenger from those who turn back.1, 2, 3
Facing the Qiblah is a wonderful commandment because it lets believers stand in one line facing the same direction instead of a hundred different directions.1, 2, 3, 4
God commands believers to face the Qiblah in Mecca when they pray, and this commandment is very important and cannot be taken lightly.1, 2, 3
The repetition in the verses about turning toward the Sacred Mosque shows how important the commandment to face Mecca is.1, 2, 3
Facing the direction of Mecca is a Quranic commandment whose only significance is organizational, so worshipers do not face different directions; in the United States it is roughly southeast.1, 2, 3
During the Friday sermon the congregation should face the prayer direction as if in prayer, and one may stay on a chair as long as one faces that direction.1
The changing of the qiblah in Muhammad's time was a test, and the true qiblah is racing towards righteousness.1, 2, 3