Why do the Muslims Face a Certain Direction During Prayer?

In unity, as a body of one, Muslims all over the world

prostrate in praise, obedience and gratitude to the Creator. 

This singular motion is like an oceanic wave of complete surrender to the

Will of God.  This physical

turnabout is symbolic in various ways.  It

represents putting aside all the worldly activities and concerns, thereby

focusing all attention to the Supreme Being.

Muslims turn their entire selves to God, reaching through the

vast heavens to worship Him and to show their humility and servitude towards

Him.  This simple act of devotion,

committed by individuals, totaling multitudes, creates a feeling of unity

amongst the believers.  God is

closer to humanity than its own flesh, yet Muslims prepare themselves and

welcome the Almighty by standing and giving their full attention to Him. 

Nothing else deserves this complete surrender of one’s self. 

Muslims perform their prayers in front of the Ka’bah and not to

it.  Each and every individual Muslim knows that it is made of

stone and is not worshipped, nor is it seen as an embodiment of God nor does it

represent the Spirit of God within it.  It

is a place of assembly to worship God for those who are physically there and for

those who join them spiritually around the world by the millions.

Facing the Abrahamic Mosque (i.e. the Ka’bah) is

prescribed by God upon all Muslims so that deviations do not infiltrate their

hearts and spirits, as was the case with the other generations of the believers.

 God ordered the Muslims to turn to

the Ka’bah as a symbol to revive the old covenant of Abraham with a new

generation of people; an obedient community from the descendants of the Prophet

Ishmael, as was promised to his father.  So

everyday in their prayers Muslims symbolize being part of the obedient community

of God.  Both Abraham and his son

Ishmael asked God to teach them to pray to Him and in granting them their

request, He taught them how to pray; part of this prayer was to turn towards the

Ka’bah.  This is how God

wants humankind to pray and this is the way in which the Prophets Abraham and

Ishmael showed their gratitude to the Almighty. 

Muslims attempt to mirror this devotion in their everyday prayers. 

This stance is a show of recognition of God’s Power and Governance of

all existence.  It is a salute with

one’s soul; a devotion with one’s heart and a pledge with one’s mind that

truly captures the meaning of directing one’s entire self to God.