"For every nation there is a direction to which they face (in their prayers)..." (V.2:148)
Narrated Al-Bara:We prayed along with the Prophet (ﷺ) facing Jerusalem for sixteen or seventeen months. Then Allah ordered him to turn his face towards the Qibla (in Mecca):-- "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.." (2.149)
Reference
Sahih al-Bukhari 4492
In-book reference
Book 65, Hadith 19
USC-MSA web (English)
Vol. 6, Book 60, Hadith 19
Translation by Dr. M. Muhsin Khan · Language: EN
Sahih
Arabic Text
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى، عَنْ سُفْيَانَ، حَدَّثَنِي أَبُو إِسْحَاقَ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ الْبَرَاءَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ صَلَّيْنَا مَعَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم نَحْوَ بَيْتِ الْمَقْدِسِ سِتَّةَ عَشَرَ ـ أَوْ سَبْعَةَ عَشَرَ ـ شَهْرًا، ثُمَّ صَرَفَهُ نَحْوَ الْقِبْلَةِ.