Masjid al-Qiblatain
Masjid al-Qiblatain is named due to the historical event where worshippers were commanded to change their direction of prayer from Jerusalem to the Kaaba during prayer within the mosque.
Names
Masjid al-Qiblatain is named due to the historical event where worshippers were commanded to change their direction of prayer from Jerusalem to the Kaaba during prayer within the mosque. It is also known as Masjid Bani Salamah, named after its location in the Bani Salamah village. The Bani Salamah clan was part of the Khazraj tribe.
Location
Masjid al-Qiblatain is located in a north westernly area of Madina.
The Change in Qibla Direction
Initially, the Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) faced Bayt al-Maqdis (Jerusalem) during prayer after migrating to Madina. He was later commanded to direct his prayers towards the Noble Kabah.
The most credible accounts mention that this divine command was received at Masjid Bani Salamah, henceforth known as Masjid al-Qiblatain. Imam Ibn Kathir has stated,
"A number of the scholars of tafsir and other than them have stated that the change of the qibla descended on the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) after he had offered 2 rakats from Zuhr in the Masjid of Bani Salamah and it was thus named Masjid al-Qiblatain." [Tafsir Ibn Kathir]
A Summary of the Different Hadith on this Subject
Hadiths in Sahih al-Bukhari and Tafsir al-Tabari indicate that the command to change the Qibla direction was received during the Zuhr prayer. Ibn al-Najjar in his Akhbar Madina mentions,
"The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) visited a lady from Bani Salamah named Umm Bashir who had prepared a meal for him. When Zuhr came, the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) prayed with his companions in the Masjid al-Qiblatain. After 2 rakats had been offered, he was commanded to turn towards the Kaaba, leading to the mosque being named Masjid al-Qiblatain. On that day, 2 rakats were offered towards Bayt al-Maqdis and 2 towards the Kabah."
It is from a hadith in Sahih al-Bukhari that the Prophet's (Allah bless him and give him peace) first prayer towards the Kabah at Masjid al-Nabawi was the Asr prayer following this revelation.
Uniqueness
While other mosques also adjusted their prayer direction upon hearing of the change, Masjid al-Qiblatain is distinguished as the first where prayers were led towards both Qiblas. This unique aspect makes it particularly deserving of its name, setting it apart from others like Masjid Bani Haritha and Masjid Quba, which also turned mid-prayer.
