Transliteration:( Wa min haisu kharajta fawalli wajhaka shatral Masjidil Haraam; wa innahoo lalhaqqu mir Rabbik; wa mallaahu bighaafilin 'ammaa ta'maloon )
"So from whichever direction you come forth [312], turn your face towards the Sacred Mosque, and surely, it is the truth from your Lord, and Allah is not unmindful of what you do [313]."
This verse emphasizes that no matter where you are, whether:
In any part of a city
In a village or a desert
Whether settled or traveling
📌 You must turn your face toward the Ka'bah in every prayer.
This instruction is:
Universal in its application
Unchanging, irrespective of your position or situation
A sign of the unity and discipline of the Muslim Ummah
This verse also indirectly refutes the objections of the People of the Book by pointing to a major prophecy found in their scriptures:
📌 One of the clear signs of the Final Prophet ﷺ was that:
He would be the Prophet of the two Harams:
Makkah (al-Masjid al-Haram)
Madina (al-Masjid an-Nabawi)
And the Prophet of the two Qiblas:
First Jerusalem, then Makkah
The migration from Makkah to Madina and the change of Qibla from Jerusalem to Makkah were both prophesied in their own holy books.
📌 Instead of accepting these fulfilled prophecies as proof of Prophethood, the Yahud and Nasara indulged in petty arguments, rejecting what they clearly recognized as truth.
🔎 The verse closes by reminding:
“And Allah is not unmindful of what you do.”
— A warning that their rejection and deliberate concealment of truth is being fully recorded and will be judged accordingly.
148. For every nation there is a direction to which they face (in their prayers). So hasten towards all that is good. Wheresoever you may be, Allah will bring you together (on the Day of Resurrection). Truly, Allah is able to do all things.
Al-`Awfi reported that Ibn `Abbas said:
(For every nation there is a direction to which they face (in their prayers))
“This talks about followers of the various religions. Hence, every nation and tribe has its own Qiblah that they choose, while Allah’s appointed Qiblah is what the believers face.”
Abul-`Aliyah said, “The Jew has a direction to which he faces (in the prayer). The Christian has a direction to which he faces. Allah has guided you, O (Muslim) Ummah, to a Qiblah which is the true Qiblah.” This statement was also related to Mujahid, `Ata’ Ad-Dahhak, Ar-Rabi` bin Anas, As-Suddi, and others.
This last Ayah is similar to what Allah said:
(To each among you, We have prescribed a law and a clear way. If Allah had willed, He would have made you one nation, but that (He) may test you in what He has given you; so compete in good deeds. The return of you (all) is to Allah.) (5:48)
In the Ayah (2:148), Allah said:
(Wheresoever you may be, Allah will bring you together (on the Day of Resurrection). Truly, Allah is able to do all things.) meaning: He is able to gather you from the earth even if your bodies and flesh disintegrated and scattered.
(2:149) From wheresoever you might come forth turn your face towards the Holy Mosque; for that indeed is the Truth from your Lord, and Allah is not heedless of what you do.
There is no commentary by Abul Maududi available for this verse.
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