and this is why religious communities have differed, as the Exalted says:

“Each community has a direction toward which it turns.” [al-Baqarah 148]

If Allah had made the Throne or heaven the qiblah for supplication, the revealed law would have explained this. Yet it is well known that neither the Quran nor the Sunnah, nor any reports from the early generations of this community or its leading scholars, nor reports from earlier prophets such as Moses, Jesus and the other messengers—may Allah’s blessings be upon them all—state that the Throne or heaven is the qiblah for supplication. It is therefore clear that this claim is among the gravest lies against Allah, and that it is one of the falsehoods the Jahmiyyah and their like fabricate against Allah, His messengers and His religion.

The fourth argument on this point, the thirteenth overall, is that the qiblah distinguishes religious communities from one another and is subject to abrogation and change, as the Exalted says:

“We have certainly seen your face turning toward heaven. We will surely turn you toward a qiblah that pleases you. So turn your face toward the Sacred Mosque; and wherever you are, turn your faces toward it. Those who were given the Scripture surely know that this is the truth from their Lord. And Allah is not unaware of what they do. {144} Even if you brought those who were given the Scripture every sign, they would not follow your qiblah. Nor will you follow their qiblah, nor do they follow one another’s qiblah. If you were to follow their desires after the knowledge that has come to you, you would indeed be among the wrongdoers. {145} Those to whom We have given the Scripture…”

Up to His words:

“Each community has a direction toward which it turns. So compete in good deeds. Wherever you may be, Allah will bring you all together.” [al-Baqarah 144-148]

He thus stated, glorified be He, that every community has a direction it faces