Prophetic Commentary on the Qur'an (Tafseer of the Prophet (pbuh))
65/2.19. Chapter:
"And from wheresoever you start forth (for prayers) turn your face in the direction of AI-Masjid-al-Haram (at Makkah)..." (V.2:149)
Sahih Bukhari
حَدَّثَنَا مُوسَى بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ بْنُ مُسْلِمٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ دِينَارٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ ابْنَ عُمَرَ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ يَقُولُ بَيْنَا النَّاسُ فِي الصُّبْحِ بِقُبَاءٍ إِذْ جَاءَهُمْ رَجُلٌ فَقَالَ أُنْزِلَ اللَّيْلَةَ قُرْآنٌ، فَأُمِرَ أَنْ يَسْتَقْبِلَ الْكَعْبَةَ، فَاسْتَقْبِلُوهَا. وَاسْتَدَارُوا كَهَيْئَتِهِمْ، فَتَوَجَّهُوا إِلَى الْكَعْبَةِ وَكَانَ وَجْهُ النَّاسِ إِلَى الشَّأْمِ.
Narrated Ibn `Umar: While some people were at Quba (offering) morning prayer, a man came to them and said, "Last night Qur'anic Verses have been revealed whereby the Prophet (ﷺ) has been ordered to face the Ka`ba (at Mecca), so you too should face it." So they, keeping their postures, turned towards the Ka`ba. Formerly the people were facing Sham (Jerusalem) (Allah said):-- "And from whence-so-ever you start forth (for prayers), turn your face in the direction of the Sacred Mosque of Mecca (Al-Masjid-ul-Haram), and whence-so-ever you are, turn your face towards it (when you pray)" (2.150)
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 4493In-book reference : Book 65, Hadith 20USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 6, Book 60, Hadith 20