Facing the Direction of the Ka’bah

[ابوالوليد المسلم]

Facing the Direction of the Ka’bah

Sheikh M. M. As-Sawwaf


Islam is the religion of unity and monotheism. There is One Allah, one Prophet, one Book, and one direction to face in Prayer. Muslims of the East and of the West look not only with their eyes but with their hearts towards the Ka’bah, the symbol of unity and the source of the radiant light of Muhammad (peace be upon him). All who perform Prayer must face the direction of the ka’bah in the holy city of Makkah in accordance with Allah's saying:
“So whence so ever thou startest forth, turn thy face in the direction of the Sacred Mosque: And wheresoever ye are turn face thither.” [Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:150]
He who can actually see the Ka'bah should look directly at it. All that one can do, if it is not visible, is to face its direction, for Allah does not place an undue burden upon anyone. Our forefathers in every country have determined the direction of the Ka’bah and have pointed the Qibla of mosques towards it. You can therefore determine the direction of the Ka'bah in your house by reference to the mosque. Alternatively you may use a compass or the stars at night. When you face the Pole star, for instance, you always face north and the direction of the Ka’bah may be worked out from this.
The Rule When the Direction of the Ka’bah Cannot Be Determined
Anyone who is unable to find the direction of the Ka’bah because, for instance. of clouds or darkness, must ask someone who does know it to point him in the right direction. But if there is no one to ask, then he must decide for himself which is the right direction and perform Prayer facing the way. His Prayer will be correct and will not require repetition even though he discovered that he was in the wrong direction provided that the Prayer is already ended. Should the mistake be pointed out while Prayer is in progress, he should turn towards the proper direction without interrupting his Prayer.
Should you be performing the Prayer in the direction which you think most likely to be correct, and someone sees you and says that you should face such and such a direction, then turn to it. This movement and change of direction will not render Prayer invalid. This has been established by ibn ‘Umar, as related by AI-Bukhari and Muslim, who said,
"While the people of Quba' were performing the Morning Prayer a man came upon them and said, 'Last night, the Qur'an was revealed to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and he was commanded to turn towards the Ka’bah. So turn towards it.' They were facing Syria[1] so they turned towards the Ka’bah,"
If the direction of the Ka’bah remains unknown for a long time, one should ascertain the direction each time he performs Prayer. Should he change his mind he should then follow his new decision, but those Prayers already performed need not to be repeated.
When the Direction of the Ka’bah Is not Obligatory
Facing the direction of the Ka’bah is a religious duty which may not be dispensed with except in certain circumstances:
1. When in fear, peril, or sickness, it is permitted to perform Prayer in a direction other than that of the Ka’bah, should it be impossible to face it absolutely. The religion of Islam is not burdensome. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said,
"If I command you to do something, do what you are able."
And Almighty Allah says,
“If ye fear, pray on foot, or riding.” [Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:239]
Al-Bukhari related that ibn 'Umar said, "(Pray) facing the direction of Ka’bah or otherwise."
2. It is permissible for a rider to perform a supererogatory Prayer on his animal by making the motions of bowing and prostrating.
The motions which indicate the prostrations should be lower than those of the bows. The direction he faces is that of the animal he is riding. The same thing holds for a passenger on a ship, airplane, or train. He begins to pray by facing the direction of the Ka’bah and continues Prayer in the same position even though the direction in which he is traveling changes.
Imam Ahmad, AI-Tirmidhi, and Muslim related that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) used to perform Prayer on his riding beast when traveling from Makkah to Madinah regardless of the direction he faced. Thus, the Lord has revealed,
“Whithersoever ye turn there is the presence of Allah.” [Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:115]
This was the Prophet's (Peace be upon him) custom with supererogatory Prayers but not with the obligatory ones.

[1] Jerusalem