What direction should Muslims pray in? At first, it was unknown, then it was to “al-Masjid al-Haram”, as Muhammad insists upon several times here:
2:142 The foolish among the people will say, “What has turned them away from their qiblah, which they used to face?”
Say, “To Allah belongs the east and the west. He guides whom He wills to a straight path.”
143 And thus we have made you a just community that you will be witnesses over the people and the Messenger will be a witness over you. And We did not make the qiblah which you used to face except that We might make evident who would follow the Messenger from who would turn back on his heels. And indeed, it is difficult except for those whom Allah has guided. And never would Allah have caused you to lose your faith. Indeed Allah is, to the people, Kind and Merciful.
144 We have certainly seen the turning of your face, [O Muhammad], toward the heaven, and We will surely turn you to a qiblah with which you will be pleased. So turn your face toward al-Masjid al-Haram. And wherever you [believers] are, turn your faces toward it [in prayer]. Indeed, those who have been given the Scripture well know that it is the truth from their Lord. And Allah is not unaware of what they do.
145 And if you brought to those who were given the Scripture every sign, they would not follow your qiblah. Nor will you be a follower of their qiblah. Nor would they be followers of one another’s qiblah. So if you were to follow their desires after what has come to you of knowledge, indeed, you would then be among the wrongdoers.
Koran 2:142-145
For a more detailed refutation of each passage and verse, see Koran 2:142-143, Koran 2:144 and Koran 2:145.
2:148 For each [religious following] is a direction toward which it faces. So race to [all that is] good. Wherever you may be, Allah will bring you forth [for judgement] all together. Indeed, Allah is over all things competent.
149 So from wherever you go out [for prayer, O Muhammad] turn your face toward al- Masjid al-Haram, and indeed, it is the truth from your Lord. And Allah is not unaware of what you do.
150 And from wherever you go out [for prayer], turn your face toward al-Masjid al-Haram. And wherever you [believers] may be, turn your faces toward it in order that the people will not have any argument against you, except for those of them who commit wrong; so fear them not but fear Me. And [it is] so I may complete My favor upon you and that you may be guided.
Koran 2:148-150
For a more detailed refutation of this passage, see Koran 2:148-150.
If we check with the archaeology of old mosques across the colonisation of Saudi Arabia, Africa, Spain, China and so on, we find the Qibla direction was pointing to several places: Petra, an unknown place, Africa and eventually Mecca.
The Qibla direction varied throughout history. What Muslims venerate and worship in Mecca today was originally in Petra in Jordan. For more, see Islam Mecca.
Koran Contradiction 