A Theory about “Focal Point” or “Qibla” meaning based on Quranic sources

-Prior to 2:40 God is re-telling the stories that the people of the scripture know.

-God adresses the Children of Israel directly from 2:40 onwards, telling them to realize and accept this
new revelation that God has sent down, authenticating what they already have, clarifying what they mixed
with falsehood, etc... Read on...

-In 2:114, God shows that the people of the scripture boycott God's temple, not allow God's name to be
mentioned in the temples... Not allowing people to do so, so in 2:115 God shows that God is everywhere,
no need to worry about their disallowance at that time – maybe deal with it later.

-2:125 shows that God entrusted to Abraham and Ishmael to purify the temple for those who visit – a
gathering place for those who want to humbly accept and follow God's bonds/laws that were revealed –
and remember/praise/discuss about God there. The people of the scripture came to disallow this as in
2:114. (Yes, it's evident that most probably this is at the rock in Jerusalem – see Layth's “Where was
Muhammad” article at http://www.free-minds.org/articles/history/moh.htm)

-The prophet and believers now probably realize that the original gathering place/temple set by God is
Abraham's temple. So the prophet and the belivers are eager to go and gather there to remember, praise
God, study the revelations there, etc.

-Since it is disallowed to gather there, a debate between God's Messenger (Muhammad) and the people of
the scripture starts from 2:135, God tells the Messenger what to tell them (2:136 onwards...)

-*** Now, in 2:142 shows that some people in this ongoing debate came to ask what made them change
their ***gathering place/qibla from what they were on. That is, why the believers come to gather here at
this temple which the people of the scripture forbade? The reason is shown from the context that they
come here because they want to go to re-use the temple where God entrusted Abraham to set up.

-In 2:143 - it shows that the reason that God entrusted Abraham to make such a temple/place/gathering
point was to distinguish who follows the messenger from those who will turn on their heels. It's like
who's willing to take action – do the belief as practical reality. This is also probably the reason why God
reavealed Abraham's temple story/details to them. It was a great thing for the believers or those who came
to accept belief to clearly identify themselves - step out to cross the line. God was not to waste their belief
– God gave them a chance to do better by taking action.

-In 2:144, (God sees the eagerness of the prophet to use this original gathering place as revealed) God
decrees onto the believers to set themselves to this original place as the gathering place/point – to conquer
it back from the oppressors who disallowed to use it even the believers with the prophet are to be chased
out (“go out”). They know about it but they hide the truth – disallow gathering there.

-2:145 Shows none of the groups would gather together. The people of the scripture know it yet they
disallow it.

-2:148 Shows that whatever the group, it's besst to remember to maintain doing good.

-2:149 - 150 tells the prophet and the believers there to take this decree to gather at Abaraham's temple
strongly. And, since the people of the scripture don't gather there so they won't come to debate overthere
except those who are wicked as in 2:114 who want to disallow its use – don't fear them but fear God
instead so God can guide & bless the believers (this is probably the “God will not waste your belief” in
 2:143)

-2:151-153 Re assures the believers of God's blessing upon them by revealing this revelation to them so
be grateful to God and so hold on to God's bond/salat patiently.

-Upto now, since the believers show their standing point clearly, confrontation would happen, so 2:154-
157 shows about handling these situations.

Conclusion:

According to this theory, “qibla” or “Focal Point” means “gathering point/place”. Try it with 10:87 also. This
theory is also based on the theory that the “masjid al haram” is at the dome of the rock in Jerusalem (see
http://www.free-minds.org/moh) and (but uses the theory that) salat means bond (mostly used as upholding
God's commandments) (see http://mypercept.co.uk/articles/slw.htm and
http://mypercept.co.uk/articles/disproved_traditional_salat.htm)

May The Creator of the Heavens and the Earth Guide and Bless.