Bakkah

Bakkah is the old name of the city of Makkah in Arabia.

This name has been used in the Holy Qur-an. In the beginning, Muslims used to face towards the Qiblah (Direction for Prayers) in Yarushalam (Jerusalem), for offering prayers.

The Jews used to ridicule Muslims that they do not have a Qiblah (Direction for Prayers) of their own and they face the Qiblah (Direction for Prayers) of the Jews.
When the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S could not answer them, he prayed to Allah (God) for an answer.

One day, in the second year of Hijrah (Migration), Allah (God) commanded His last Messenger, Muhammad S to turn towards Al-Masjid Al-Haram (The Sacred Moaque) in Makkah that houses the Ka'bah, while he was leading his Sahabah (Companions) in a Salah (Prayers).

Verily! We have seen the turning of your (Muhammad's SAW) face towards the heaven. Surely, We shall turn you to a Qiblah (prayer direction) that shall please you, so turn your face in the direction of Al-Masjid- al-Haram (at Makkah). And wheresoever you people are, turn your faces (in prayer) in that direction. Certainly, the people who were given the Scriptures (i.e. Jews and the Christians) know well that, that (your turning towards the direction of the Ka'bah at Makkah in prayers) is the truth from their Lord. And Allah is not unaware of what they do. Surah (Chapter) Al-Baqarah (The Cow) The Qur-an 2:102

This Wahi (Divine Message) came to the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S, when he was leading prayers facing towards the Qiblah (Direction for Prayers) in Yarushalam (Jerusalem). The Muslims turned towards the Ka'bah during the prayers following the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S.

Now, the Jews of Madinah began to object and ridicule the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S for his choice of taking the Ka'bah in Makkah as the Qiblah (Direction for Prayers). They used to say that most of the Rusul (Messengers) of Allah had taken Bayt ul-Maqdis [The Sacred House (at Jerusalem)] as their Qiblah (Direction for Prayers) in recent past, why did the last Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S change it.
According to the Jewish literature, Bayt ul-Maqdis [The Sacred House (at Jerusalem)] was constructed by Sulayman A (Solomon), approximately four hundred fifty (450) after Musa A (Moses).

Bayt ul-Maqdis [The Sacred House (at Jerusalem)] became the focal point of people who believed in Allah (God). There is no controversy in the fact that the Ka'bah was constructed by Ibrahim A (Abraham) who lived almost a thousand years before Sulayman A (Solomon).

The Ka'bah in Makkah is much older than Bayt ul-Maqdis [The Sacred House (at Jerusalem)] and is the first place on earth for the worship of Allah (God).

Verily, the first House (of worship) appointed for mankind was that at Bakkah (Makkah), full of blessing, and a guidance for Al-'Alamin (the mankind and jinns)." Surah (Chapter) Al-'Imran (The Cow) The Qur-an 3:96