The Qiblatayn Mosque, located on Khalid ibn Walid Street in the western part of Medina, is a site of great historical significance, known as the “Mosque of the Two Qiblahs.” Initially, it was called “Masjid Banu Salama” because it is situated in the Banu Salama area.
The mosque is famous for being the location where the change of the Qiblah occurred. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) initially prayed towards Al-Aqsa Mosque, but during prayer, after receiving a revelation, he turned towards the Kaaba and continued the prayer facing it. This marked the shift in the Qiblah from Al-Aqsa Mosque to the Kaaba. Therefore, the mosque is referred to as the “Mosque of Two Qiblahs.”
The mosque was expanded by adding surrounding corridors while preserving its original structure. In memory of the original Qiblah, a part of the mosque still faces the direction of Al-Aqsa or Bayt al-Maqdis, which is preserved on the second floor.
Initially, all the prophets and messengers’ Qiblah was Bayt al-Maqdis. For about 16 months after the migration (Hijra), Muslims prayed facing that direction in Medina. This led some Jews to spread the idea that since the Qiblah of Muslims and Jews was the same, Muslims should follow their religious practices as well.
This caused the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to yearn for the Kaaba to be the Qiblah for Muslims. He believed that turning towards the Kaaba would help establish and strengthen the distinct identity of the Muslim nation. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) would often look towards the sky, hoping for a divine approval of this change.
In the second year of Hijra, during the month of Sha’ban (or according to some opinions, in Rajab), Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and several companions came to the Banu Salama area for the invitation of Bishr ibn Bara (RA) and to perform the Dhuhr prayer in the mosque. In the middle of the second and third Rak’ahs, Jibreel (AS) descended with the revelation: “I see you turning your face towards the sky. Therefore, I am turning you towards a Qiblah that you will be pleased with. Turn your face towards the Sacred Mosque (Kaaba).” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:144)
Following this command, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his companions completed the remaining two Rak’ahs facing the Kaaba.
The mosque was initially constructed by the Prophet (PBUH) and his companions in 623 CE (second year of Hijra). Later, Caliph Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz (RA) rebuilt it in 100 Hijri, and in 893 Hijri, Shuja’ al-Din al-Jamali increased the roof. The Ottoman Caliph Suleiman the Magnificent expanded the mosque significantly in 950 Hijri.
For a long time, the mosque had two mihrabs (places where the imam stands for prayer), one facing Bayt al-Maqdis and the other facing the Kaaba. However, during renovations, the mihrab facing Bayt al-Maqdis was demolished, and only the mihrab facing the Kaaba was preserved. Today, a sample of the mihrab facing Bayt al-Maqdis is still maintained on the second floor.
The mosque can accommodate thousands of worshippers at once. It features two beautiful domes and two minarets, which can be seen from afar. Pilgrims performing Hajj or Umrah often visit the mosque to offer voluntary prayers.
