Masjid al-Qiblatayn (Mosque of the Two Qiblas)

Qibla linguistically means the direction. In Islamic law, it means the direction in which Muslims direct their prayers. The Muslims prayed first in the direction of Al-Aqsa Mosque but the Prophet ﷺ  wished to pray in the direction of Kaaba. He said to Gabriel: "I wish God to turn my face away from the Qibla of the Jews". So Gabriel said: "I am a worshipper, worship your Lord and ask Him”.

Then the Prophetﷺ  turned his face towards the sky, hoping to pray towards the Qibla, when God then revealed to him: "Indeed, We see your face turning (seeking) towards the sky. Now We will certainly assign you a direction of prayer with which you will be satisfied. So turn your face towards the sheltered place of prayer!"^[1][2]. This happened 16 months after the emigration to Medina.

Bani-Salamah Mosque was renamed Al-Qiblatayn Mosque due to the following event. The Prophet prayed two rakaats from the Duhur prayer to Al-Aqsa Mosque one day, whereupon he was ordered -in the second raka- to turn towards the Kaaba^[3].

Al-Qiblatayn Mosque is located 4 km away from the Prophet's Mosque on the hills of Harrat al-Wubra in the region of Bani Salamah. Its area is approximately 3920m2 and is crowned by two domes and two minarets.

[1]  Quran 2:144

[2]  Islamweb: Zad al-Ma'ad

[3]  Islamweb: Fatwa No: 185499