What is the evidence for the conditionality of facing the qiblah in prayer?

The questioner : Regarding facing the qiblah, we have clarified this.

The Shaykh : ...regarding?

The questioner : Regarding facing the qiblah, it is a condition for the validity of the prayer, as mentioned in the books of Islamic jurisprudence. What is the evidence for this issue?

The Shaykh : We do not have evidence in the technical sense of usul al-fiqh, except for something I read thirty or forty years ago. When Allah commands something, that thing is not commanded except in the specific matter of which it is a part. So the evidence for conditionality is the implication of this statement. Is there any ambiguity in that?

The questioner : Understood.

The Shaykh : I mean, we are not commanded to face the qiblah except in prayer, do you see? So if we are sitting, we are not commanded to face the qiblah, and so on. Apply this to other matters. So, when Allah commands something like this, specifically regarding the command that is a part of it, this is an indication that this command is one of its parts and a pillar of its pillars. The same is said regarding ruku' and sujud. We do not have evidence in the way we understand it that says, "There is no prayer for one who does not bow," or "There is no prayer for one who does not prostrate." We do not have such evidence at all. But these evidences were derived from the commands that are specific to prayer.

The questioner : I mean, the prayer is not complete except with them?

The Shaykh : Except through them. And there is another thing that can support what was mentioned before, which is the continuity of the Muslims and their agreement that this matter is a pillar. This is sufficient as a proof, and it is not necessary for us to have an explicit text that we understand. Please proceed.

The questioner : A Qur'anic text?

The Shaykh : What is it, my sir? No, no Qur'anic text regarding what?

The questioner : Regarding the qiblah .

The Shaykh : The issue is not this, may Allah reward you. Be patient. The issue is not whether there is a command in the Qur'an to face the qiblah or not. May Allah forgive you. The issue is not whether there is a command to face the qiblah in prayer or not. The issue is whether this command indicates that it is a pillar or not. I hope I have made this clear to you, if Allah wills.

The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : Because it appears you were not with us, Abu Maher...
Abu Layla : If you permit me, let...The Shaykh : He is busy now...

The questioner : Let the people know...The Shaykh : Nasser... he is laughing and eating.
The student : In some of his tapes...Abu Layla : Recording.The Shaykh : He is playing with one of the children, perhaps the son of his daughter's uncle... and he saw it on the tape.

Another questioner : Abu Layla : He records everything. You record for the Shaykh, meaning, so that you know what the boy wants, so that you all know thatThe Shaykh : He is affectionate toward children...
Toward...Al-Halabi : This is a gift that he...Abu Layla : Records it.
Abu Layla : May Allah bless your life, our Shaykh.

The Shaykh : May Allah preserve you.