The preceding verse signified that, the Jews knew from their scripture that the QIBLA would have to be changed; and this was taken a TOKEN of the truthfulness of HAZRAT MOHAMMAD (AS), but childish Zeal, and foolish fanaticism prevented them to admit that, and to this effect the Holy QURÄN sternly says: ``Even if you bring to the people of the BOOK all the (POSSIBLE) signs; they will not follow your QIBLA, and you too, will not follow theirs.''

      This implies that; if the people of the book think that by making ados and kicking up fuss, and raising disputes, Mohammad would change his mind and once again refers back to the abrogated QIBLA, they go wrong, and once and for all, KAABA is chosen as a permanent and everlasting QIBLA for the worshippers.

      The verse also adds that: Neither would any of their sects accept the QIBLA of the other.

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      (True that, both the Jews and Christians looked upon JERUSALEM as a sacred city; but there was not a universal QIBLA among them. Some Jews turned towards Jerusalem, specially during the captivity. At the time of our prophet Jerusalem was at the hands of Byzantine Empire, which was Christians; But the Christians oriented their churches to the East, (HENCE THE WORD ORIENTATION) which is a point of the compass, and not the direction of any sacred place. The fact of Altar being in the East does not mean that every worshipper has his face to the East, for, according at least to modern practice, the seats in a church are so placed, that different worshippers may face in different directions. on this account the above verse also implies that: ``Neither would any of their sects accept the QIBLA of the other sect.''

TRANSLATER'S NOTE - USUF ALI'S COMMENTS