Events in Tafsir Ma'arif ul-Quran, contemporary lessons and advice about Qibla custody, a research review

Abstract

In his book "Tafseer Maarif ul-Qur'an," Maulana Muhammad Idrees Kandhalvi
describes how the Qibla, or the direction of prayer, underwent a considerable
alteration in the second year after the migration to Madinah. Muslims first
offered their prayers toward Bayt al-Maqdis in Jerusalem for more than 13 years
in Makkah and for around 17 months in Madinah. The Kaaba was chosen as the
last Qibla. Maulana Kandhalvi also describes its fundamental spiritual
importance as the center of the earth. This alteration is related to the Night of
Mairaaj, during which the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, ascended
into the heavens and received the title "Nabi al-Qiblatin." In obedience to a
divine command, Muslims momentarily worshiped towards Bayt al-Maqdis,
although the Kaaba continued to be the most important Qibla, signifying the
highest spiritual significance on Earth.