The Kaaba (Kabah) has been the Qibla for Muslims all across the world for over 1400 years. Thus, it is quite easy to forget that the Kaaba was not the first Qibla in Islam, rather the first Qibla before the Kaaba was Masjid-al-Aqsa.
Why was Masjid-al-Aqsa the First Qibla?
The Qibla is the direction that Muslims face during their prayers, and it was initially set towards the Masjid-al-Aqsa in Jerusalem.
The initial Qibla was established as a way to maintain a connection between the new Muslim community in Medina and the Abrahamic traditions, particularly Judaism. At the time, Muslims and Jews shared common beliefs in many prophets and fundamental principles of monotheism. By facing the same direction in prayer, the early Muslim community acknowledged the shared heritage with the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) and showed a continuity with the previous Abrahamic traditions.
The decision to face Masjid-al-Aqsa as the first Qibla was made by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) during the early years of Islam. However, this part is a little disputed amongst scholars, whether the Qibla was Allah’s decision or the Prophet’s (there is no explicit verse in the Quran that designates the Masjid-al-Aqsa as the first Qibla). Regardless, the Prophet would not have made this decision without Allah’s approval, so debating this is unnecessary.
Why was the Qibla changed to the Holy Kaaba?
Later on, the Qibla was changed to the Kaaba in Mecca by the command of Allah as mentioned in the Quran in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:144):
“We have certainly seen the turning of your face, [O Muhammad], toward the heaven, and We will surely turn you to a qiblah with which you will be pleased. So turn your face toward al-Masjid al-Haram. And wherever you [believers] are, turn your faces toward it [in prayer]. Indeed, those who have been given the Scripture well know that it is the truth from their Lord. And Allah is not unaware of what they do.”
Part of the reason this change was made, was because the Prophet felt a stronger connection to the Holy Kaaba, as his ancestor Hazrat Ibrahim had been responsible for its reconstruction.
Narrated Bara’ bin `Azib:
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) prayed facing Baitul-Maqdis for sixteen or seventeen months but he loved to face the Ka`ba (at Mecca)
~ Sahih al-Bukhari 399
Mecca has more historical significance to Islam than Jerusalem, which was also likely a factor in this decision. Furthermore, unlike Jerusalem, (which is important to both Jews and Muslims) Mecca is solely a place of worship for Muslims.
Despite the change in Qibla direction, Masjid-al-Aqsa remains a revered and significant site in Islam due to its historical and religious importance.
In conclusion, the first Qibla in Islam was the Masjid-al-Aqsa.