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Why do Muslims face Mecca when they pray?

Short answerMuslims face the Kaaba in Makkah because God commanded it, which unites them worldwide in one direction. The Kaaba is not worshipped: it is the House of God built by Abraham and Ishmael, peace be upon them, and Muslims worship God alone wherever they are.

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The command

Quran
قَدۡ نَرَىٰ تَقَلُّبَ وَجۡهِكَ فِي ٱلسَّمَآءِۖ فَلَنُوَلِّيَنَّكَ قِبۡلَةٗ تَرۡضَىٰهَاۚ فَوَلِّ وَجۡهَكَ شَطۡرَ ٱلۡمَسۡجِدِ ٱلۡحَرَامِۚ وَحَيۡثُ مَا كُنتُمۡ فَوَلُّواْ وُجُوهَكُمۡ شَطۡرَهُۥۗ وَإِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ لَيَعۡلَمُونَ أَنَّهُ ٱلۡحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّهِمۡۗ وَمَا ٱللَّهُ بِغَٰفِلٍ عَمَّا يَعۡمَلُونَ

Veo que vuelves tu rostro hacia el cielo. Te orientaré en una dirección que te complazca; oriéntate hacia la Mezquita Sagrada [de La Meca]. Y donde quiera que estén, oriéntense hacia ella. La Gente del Libro sabe que es la verdad proveniente de su Señor. Dios no está desatento de lo que hacen.

Al-Baqarah 2:144

Why the Kaaba?

  • Built by Abraham and Ishmael, peace be upon them, for the worship of God alone.
  • It is a symbol of unity: millions face it as one body.
  • After the Hijrah the Prophet ﷺ faced Jerusalem for a period, then the qibla was changed to the Kaaba.

How to find the qibla

See the qibla page for your city with a phone compass. If you cannot determine it, do your best; God does not burden a soul beyond its capacity.

Preguntas frecuentes

Do Muslims worship the Kaaba?

No. They worship God alone; the Kaaba is a direction of prayer and a house of pilgrimage, not an object of worship.

Los textos y traducciones están en revisión por sabios.