It is clear from the name of this mosque that there is a connection between it and the Muslims’ direction of prayer.  At first, the Muslims prayed facing towards the direction of Bayt Al-Maqdis (Jerusalem), then, praying towards Jerusalem was abrogated by the Divine order to pray towards Al-Masjid Al-Haraam when Allah The Almighty revealed (what means): {We have certainly seen the turning of your face, [O Muhammad], toward the heaven, and We will surely turn you to a Qiblah with which you will be pleased. So turn your face toward Al-Masjid Al-Haraam. And wherever you [believers] are, turn your faces toward it [in prayer]. Indeed, those who have been given the Book know well that it is the truth from their Lord. And Allah is not unaware of what they do. } [Quran 2:144]

When Allah The Almighty revealed the order to turn the direction of prayer towards Al-Masjid Al-Haraam, the Messenger of Allah, , sent someone to the outskirts of Al-Madeenah to notify people that the Qiblah had been changed. When the man reached the district of Banu Haraam from Banu Salamah, he found them in the state of Rukoo‘ during the prayer of Fajr (morning) and they had already prayed one Rak‘ah (unit). He called out that the Qiblah had been changed, so, all the praying people turned towards the new Qiblah while they were praying. This is stated in Saheeh Muslim. Since that time on, the mosque has become known by this name.