Overview
Masjid al-Qiblatain, the “Mosque of the Two Qiblas”, stands in the area historically inhabited by the Banu Salimah in north-west Madinah.
History
For about sixteen or seventeen months after the Hijrah, Muslims prayed facing Jerusalem, until Allah revealed: “So turn your face toward al-Masjid al-Haram” (Qur’an 2:144). Sahih al-Bukhari (hadith 40) records that a man who had prayed with the Prophet ﷺ passed people at a mosque who were in prayer and told them, and they turned towards the Kaaba while still praying. Madinan tradition identifies this mosque as a place where the qibla changed during a prayer; another narration in Sahih al-Bukhari (hadith 403) describes the news reaching the people of Quba during the Fajr prayer. The historical reports therefore differ on details.
Today
For many years the mosque had two prayer niches; after its 1980s reconstruction only the niche facing the Kaaba remains.
Map
Visiting information
Open for prayers; a common stop on Madinah Ziyarat tours.
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Organised Umrah for mosques, communities and families travelling together.
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Premium hotels near the Haram, private vehicles and personalised Ziyarat.
View details →Standard Umrah Package
Comfortable hotels closer to the Haram, private transfers and guided Ziyarat.
View details →Visit Masjid Qiblatain with ZiyaraWay
Private and group Ziyarat tours with transport and guidance.
Book a Ziyarat tour Ask on WhatsAppSources & references
- Qur'an 2:142–144 — https://quran.com/2/142-144
- Sahih al-Bukhari 40 — https://sunnah.com/bukhari:40
- Sahih al-Bukhari 403 — https://sunnah.com/bukhari:403
Historical reports sometimes differ; where they do, this page notes it. Please consult qualified scholars for religious rulings. Visiting rules and opening times are set by the Saudi authorities and may change.