Allah Guides Whom He Likes To The Straight Path
[002.142] The fools (pagans, hypocrites, and Jews) among the people will say: “What has turned them (Muslims) from their Qiblah [prayer direction (towards Jerusalem)] to which they used to face in prayer.” Say (O Muhammad [sal-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam]): “To Allâh belong both, the east and the west. He guides whom He wills to a Straight Way.”
The Prophet (PBUH) has said:
[Bukhari, Book #8, Hadith #392] “Narrated Bara’ bin ‘Azib: Allah’s Apostle prayed facing Baitul-Maqdis for sixteen or seventeen months but he loved to face the Ka’ba (at Mecca) so Allah revealed: “Verily, We have seen the turning of your face to the heaven!” (2:144) So the Prophet faced the Ka’ba and the fools amongst the people namely “the Jews,” said, “What has turned them from their Qibla (Bait-ul-Maqdis) which they formerly observed” (Allah revealed): “Say: ‘To Allah belongs the East and the West. He guides whom he will to a straight path.” (2:142) A man prayed with the Prophet (facing the Ka’ba) and went out. He saw some of the Ansar praying the ‘Asr’ prayer with their faces towards Bait-ul-Maqdis, he said, “I bear witness that I prayed with Allah’s Apostle facing the Ka’ba.” So all the people turned their faces towards the Ka’ba.”
[Muslim, Book #004, Hadith #1694] “’Abd al-Rahman b. ‘Auf reported: I asked ‘A’isha, the mother of the believers, (to tell me) the words with which the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) commenced the prayer when he got up at night. She said: When he got up at night he would commence his prayer with these words: O Allah, Lord of Gabriel, and Michael, and Israfil, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, Who knowest the unseen and the seen; Thou decidest amongst Thy servants concerning their differences. Guide me with Thy permission in the divergent views (which the people) hold about Truth, for it is Thou Who guidest whom Thou wilt to the Straight Path.”
[Sunan Abu Dawud, Book #11, Hadith #2113] “Narrated Abdullah ibn Mas’ud: The Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) taught us the address in case of some need: Praise be to Allah from Whom we ask help and pardon, and in Whom we take refuge from the evils within ourselves. He whom Allah guides has no one who can lead him astray, and he whom He leads astray has no one to guide him. I testify that there is no god but Allah, and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and Apostle. “You who believe,…fear Allah by Whom you ask your mutual rights, and reverence the wombs. Allah has been watching you.” …”you who believe, fear Allah as He should be feared, and die only as Muslims” ….”you who believe, fear Allah as He should be feared, and die only as Muslims”…..” you who believe, fear Allah and say what is true. He will make your deeds sound, and forgive your sins. He who obeys Allah and His Apostle have achieved a mighty success.” The narrator, Muhammad ibn Sulayman, did mention the word “inna” (verily).”