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Al-Baqarah 2: 143

Say: “To Allah belong the East and the West; He guides whomsoever He wills onto a Straight Way.” (143) And it is thus that We appointed you to be the community of the middle way44 so that you might be witnesses to all mankind and the Messenger might be a witness to you.45

We appointed the direction which you formerly observed so that We might distinguish those who follow the Messenger from those who turn on their heels. For it was indeed burdensome except for those whom Allah guided. ▶

and seventeen months. Subsequently, he received the injunction to pray in the direction of the Ka[bah.

44 The Arabic expression which we have translated as “the community of the middle way” is too rich in meaning to find an adequate equivalent in any other language. It signifies that distinguished group of people which follows the path of justice and equity, of balance and moderation, a group which occupies a central position among the nations of the world so that its relationship with all is based on righteousness and justice and none receives its support in wrong and injustice.

45 What this means is that when the whole of mankind is called to account, the Prophet (peace be on him), as God’s representative, will stand witness to the fact that he had communicated to the Muslims and had put into practice the teachings which expound sound beliefs, righteous conduct and a balanced system of life which he had received from on high. The Muslims, acting on behalf of the Prophet (peace be on him) after the latter’s return to God’s mercy, will be asked to bear the same witness before the rest of mankind, confirming that they had spared no effort in either communicating to mankind what the Prophet (peace be on him) had communicated to them, or in exemplifying in their own lives what the Prophet (peace be on him) by his own conduct, had translated into actual practice.

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