thus we have made you a middle nation so that you may act as witnesses for mankind and the messenger may be a witness for you. we decreed your former prayer direction towards which you used to face only in order that we might make a clear distinction between the messengers true followers and those who were to turn their backs on him. this was indeed a hard test for all but those whom god has guided. god will never let your faith go to waste. god is compassionate and merciful to mankind.
وكذلك جعلناكم أمة وسطا لتكونوا شهداء على الناس ويكون الرسول عليكم شهيدا وما جعلنا القبلة التي كنت عليها إلا لنعلم من يتبع الرسول ممن ينقلب على عقبيه وإن كانت لكبيرة إلا على الذين هدى الله وما كان الله ليضيع إيمانكم إن الله بالناس لرءوف رحيم