in that age, without stripping it of this robe of acceptance. For the command of the Kiblah was not changed at the time of most of the Prophets appointed after Moses, such as David, Jesus and other great Prophets who came in the interval between them. All these Messengers, on the part of the Lord of the creatures, commanded people to turn toward that direction. Moreover all lands bear the same relation to that Ideal King, except that land which He selects for some especial thing at the appearance of His Manifestations. As it is said: "Unto God belongeth the east and the west, therefore whithersoever you turn yourselves to pray, there is the Face of God" (K. S. 2). Notwithstanding the verity of these facts, why was it changed, causing complaint and lamentation among the servants and excitement and agitation among the companions? Yea, such things which cause dread to people, only happen that all may be tested by the touchstone of God and that the truthful may be separated and distinguished from the untruthful. Therefore after the dissension of the people, He said: "We appointed the Kiblah toward which thou didst formerly pray, only that We might know him who followeth the Messenger from him who turneth on his heel" (K. S. 2). The purport of this verse is that He changed and abolished the Kiblah which was Jerusalem, to see who would follow Him and who would turn upon his heel, that is, would disobey, reject and discontinue the prayer and
