✿ Answer by: Shaykh Abdul Wakeel Nasir ḥafiẓahullāh
According to the statement of the Prophet ﷺ, the first mosque ever built was Al-Masjid al-Ḥarām (the Ka‘bah). The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The first mosque built was Al-Masjid al-Ḥarām, and forty years later, Al-Masjid al-Aqṣā was built.”
This clearly establishes that Baytullāh (Ka‘bah) is the original Qiblah and the first mosque ever constructed.
When the Prophet ﷺ migrated to Madinah, he prayed facing Bayt al-Maqdis (Al-Masjid al-Aqṣā) for 16 or 17 months.
In reality, the true and permanent Qiblah is Baytullāh (Al-Masjid al-Ḥarām). This is clearly stated in the Qur’an:
«فَوَلِّ وَجْهَكَ شَطْرَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ»
(Al-Baqarah: 144)
“So turn your face in the direction of Al-Masjid al-Ḥarām.”
This verse affirms the command to face the Ka‘bah during prayer and establishes its position as the primary Qiblah.
✔ True Qiblah:
The Ka‘bah (Baytullāh, Al-Masjid al-Ḥarām) is the actual Qiblah and the first mosque built.
✔ The Term "First Qiblah":
Al-Masjid al-Aqṣā became known as "Qiblah Awwal" (First Qiblah) because the Muslims faced it during the early period in Madinah for 16–17 months, before the command came to turn toward the Ka‘bah.
✔ Sharʿī Reality:
The original and enduring Qiblah is Baytullāh; the term "First Qiblah" in reference to Al-Aqṣā is correct only within the context of the early Madinan period, but not in absolute Sharʿī terms.
❖ Historical Background of Al-Masjid al-Ḥarām and Al-Masjid al-Aqṣā
According to the statement of the Prophet ﷺ, the first mosque ever built was Al-Masjid al-Ḥarām (the Ka‘bah). The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The first mosque built was Al-Masjid al-Ḥarām, and forty years later, Al-Masjid al-Aqṣā was built.”
This clearly establishes that Baytullāh (Ka‘bah) is the original Qiblah and the first mosque ever constructed.
❖ Migration to Madinah and the Change of Qiblah
When the Prophet ﷺ migrated to Madinah, he prayed facing Bayt al-Maqdis (Al-Masjid al-Aqṣā) for 16 or 17 months.
- During this period, Bayt al-Maqdis was the Qiblah of the Muslims,
- Which led to the widespread popular notion that Al-Masjid al-Aqṣā is the "First Qiblah".
❖ The Real and Permanent Qiblah
In reality, the true and permanent Qiblah is Baytullāh (Al-Masjid al-Ḥarām). This is clearly stated in the Qur’an:
«فَوَلِّ وَجْهَكَ شَطْرَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ»
(Al-Baqarah: 144)
“So turn your face in the direction of Al-Masjid al-Ḥarām.”
This verse affirms the command to face the Ka‘bah during prayer and establishes its position as the primary Qiblah.
❖ Summary
✔ True Qiblah:
The Ka‘bah (Baytullāh, Al-Masjid al-Ḥarām) is the actual Qiblah and the first mosque built.
✔ The Term "First Qiblah":
Al-Masjid al-Aqṣā became known as "Qiblah Awwal" (First Qiblah) because the Muslims faced it during the early period in Madinah for 16–17 months, before the command came to turn toward the Ka‘bah.
✔ Sharʿī Reality:
The original and enduring Qiblah is Baytullāh; the term "First Qiblah" in reference to Al-Aqṣā is correct only within the context of the early Madinan period, but not in absolute Sharʿī terms.
