Quote:
{2:148} For each [religious following] is a direction toward which it faces. So race to [all that is] good. Wherever you may be, God will bring you forth [for judgement] all together. Indeed, God is over all things competent.
The first interjection, "religious following" is unnecessary, IMHO, as it restricts endeavors to religious endeavors. The Arabic is general; it applies to all, even those without religion and those whose motivation is not religious. I know that the context of these verses is the direction of prayer, but I don't want to insert an interpretation in the translation.
Also, we discussed the translation of
قدير before and said that "competent" isn't sufficient but "powerful" is more accurate and direct.
Quote:
{2:149} 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 God is not unaware of what you do.
{2:150} 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.
We mentioned the transliteration "al-Masjid al-Haram" was unnecessary because it can be translated to "the sacrosanct mosque."
Finally, the interjection "for prayer, O Muhammad" is unnecessarily restrictive. The command to follow the direction of the sacrosanct mosque in prayer is to all Muslims, not just Muhammad, peace be upon him. So I'd modify that clause to
{2:149} So from wherever you go out [for prayer] turn your face toward the sacrosanct mosque, and indeed, it is the truth from your Lord. And God is not unaware of what you do.