M. H. Shakir, The Holy Quran; Arabic Text and English Translation; Foot-notes by M. H. Shakir (1974)
142. The fools among the people will say: What has turned them from their Qiblah* which they had? Say: The East and the West belong only to Allah; He guides whom He likes to the right path.
143. And thus We have made you a medium (just) nation that you may be the bearers of witness to the people and (that) the Apostle may be a bearer of witness to you; and We did not make that which you would have to be the qiblah but that We might distinguish him who follows the Apostle from him who turns back upon his heels, and this was surely hard except for those whom Allah has guided aright; and Allah was not going to make your faith to be fruitless; most surely Allah is Affectionate, Merciful to the people.
144. Indeed We see the turning of your face to heaven, so We shall surely turn you to a qiblah which you shall like; turn then your face towards the Sacred Mosque, and wherever you are, turn your face towards it, and
* Qiblah means the direction towards which a Muslim turns his face in prayers. As the Holy Prophet was in Mecca, he used to turn his face in prayers towards Jerusalem. He continued this practice when at Medina for about 16 months when this verse was revealed. Under Divine instructions as per verse 144, he changed the qiblah from Jerusalem to Kaaba in Mecca.
