(But it was not Allah’s purpose that your faith should be in vain…) [2:143].
Said Ibn ‘Abbas, according to the report of al-Kalbi: “Some of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him peace, had died while praying toward the first qiblah. Among these were As‘ad ibn Zurarah, Abu Umamah from the Banu’l-Najjar, al-Bara’ ibn Ma‘rur from Banu Salamah as well as other people whose tribes came to the Prophet and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! Our brothers have died while praying toward the first qiblah. What will happen to our brothers now that Allah has directed you to pray toward the qiblah of Abraham?’ And Allah, exalted is He, revealed (But it was not Allah’s purpose that your faith should be in vain)”.
Asbab Al-Nuzul by Al-Wahidi , trans. Mokrane Guezzou