Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah 148
Quran 2:148 · The Cow · Madani · Para 2 · Page 23
وَلِكُلٍّ وِّجْهَةٌ هُوَ مُوَلِّیْهَا فَاسْتَبِقُوْا الْخَیْرٰتِ ؔؕ اَیْنَ مَا تَكُوْنُوْا یَاْتِ بِكُمُ اللّٰهُ جَمِیْعًا ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ عَلٰی كُلِّ شَیْءٍ قَدِیْرٌ ۟
Transliteration
Walikullin wijhatun huwa muwalleehafastabiqoo alkhayrati aynama takoonoo ya/tibikumu Allahu jameeAAan inna Allaha AAalakulli shay-in qadeer
Saheeh International
For each [religious following] is a [prayer] direction toward which it faces. So race to [all that is] good. Wherever you may be, Allāh will bring you forth [for judgement] all together. Indeed, Allāh is over all things competent.
Al-Mukhtasar fi Tafsir
Every nation has a direction they turn to, whether physically or spiritually. For this reason, there is a difference between them in their directions of prayer and in their sacred laws. There is nothing wrong with them facing different directions if it is by Allah’s command and law, so try to outdo each other, O believers, in doing the good actions that you have been instructed to do. Allah will bring you together from wherever you may be on the Day of Judgement, to reward you according to what you have done. Allah has power over all things. It is not difficult for Him to bring you all together and reward you.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (abridged)
For every nation there is a direction to which they face (in their prayers). So hasten towards all that is good. Wheresoever you may be, Allah will bring you together (on the Day of Resurrection). Truly, Allah is able to do all things (148)
Every Nation has a Qiblah
Al-'Awfi reported that Ibn 'Abbas said:
وَلِكُلٍّ وِجْهَةٌ هُوَ مُوَلِّيهَا
(For every nation there is a direction to which they face (in their prayers))
"This talks about followers of the various religions. Hence, every nation and tribe has its own Qiblah that they choose, while Allah's appointed Qiblah is what the believers face."
Abul-'Aliyah said, "The Jew has a direction to which he faces (in the prayer). The Christian has a direction to which he faces. Allah has guided you, O (Muslim) Ummah, to a Qiblah which is the true Qiblah." This statement was also related to Mujahid, 'Ata' Ad-Dahhak, Ar-Rabi' bin Anas, As-Suddi, and others.
This last Ayah is similar to what Allah said:
لِكُلٍّ جَعَلْنَا مِنكُمْ شِرْعَةً وَمِنْهَاجًا وَلَوْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ لَجَعَلَكُمْ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً وَلَٰكِن لِّيَبْلُوَكُمْ فِي مَا آتَاكُمْ فَاسْتَبِقُوا الْخَيْرَاتِ إِلَى اللَّهِ مَرْجِعُكُمْ جَمِيعًا
(To each among you, We have prescribed a law and a clear way. If Allah had willed, He would have made you one nation, but that (He) may test you in what He has given you; so compete in good deeds. The return of you (all) is to Allah.)(5:48)
In the Ayah (2:148), Allah said:
أَيْنَ مَا تَكُونُوا يَأْتِ بِكُمُ اللَّهُ جَمِيعًا إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
(Wheresoever you may be, Allah will bring you together (on the Day of Resurrection). Truly, Allah is able to do all things.) meaning: He is able to gather you from the earth even if your bodies and flesh disintegrated and scattered.