Al-Qiblatain Mosque
One of Madinah’s best-known historic mosques, associated with the momentous change of the Muslim qiblah from Jerusalem towards the Kaaba in Makkah.
Masjid Al-Qiblatain is one of Madinah’s most notable historic mosques. Its name, meaning “the Mosque of the Two Qiblahs,” reflects its association with the change in the direction of Muslim prayer from Jerusalem towards the Sacred Mosque and the Kaaba in Makkah.
During the early Islamic period, Muslims prayed facing Jerusalem before the divine command was revealed to turn towards Al-Masjid Al-Haram, as recorded in the Qur’an. The mosque’s connection with this defining event gave rise to the name by which it is known today.
Today, the mosque welcomes worshippers and visitors within a modernized setting while retaining its importance as a landmark connected to the Prophetic era. A visit offers an opportunity to understand an important chapter of Islamic history in the landscape of Madinah itself.
A mosque whose name preserves the memory of a defining moment in Islamic history.
The mosque is associated with the change of the qiblah towards Al-Masjid Al-Haram, commanded in the Qur’an: “So turn your face toward al-Masjid al-Haram.” [Al-Baqarah: 144]
The mosque dates to the Prophetic era and became known for its association with the change of the qiblah in the second year after the Hijrah. It has undergone successive renovations and expansions over the centuries.
Combine it with the Trench and Seven Mosques if your day is a historical one. The visit does not require much time. Allow enough time for prayer and to appreciate the mosque’s story, and consider combining it with other historic landmarks in the surrounding area.
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