Qibla

The Qibla (Arabic: قِـبْـلَـة‎, "Direction", also transliterated as Qiblah, Qibleh, Kiblah, Kıble or Kibla), is the direction that should be faced when a Muslim prays during Ṣalāṫ (Arabic: صَـلَاة‎). It is fixed as the direction of the Kaaba in the Hejazi city of Mecca. Most mosques contain a wall niche that indicates the Qiblah, which is known as a miḥrâb (Arabic: مِـحْـرَاب‎).

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Qibla . Sunni-Shi'a . Conversion to Islam . Imam al-Mahdi

As a Shia revert, I have noticed that during gatherings at the Hussainia, people often put their hand on their heads when mentioning Imam Mahdi (as) and face the Qibla. What is the significance of this practice?

Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 2 years ago

It is an act of showing respect to our present Imam; Al-Mahdi (AS). We have in our books that Imam Jafar Al-Sadiq (AS) used to do the same when mentioning Imam Al-Mahdi (AS) who is his great grand son and was not born then.When mention our Imam Al-Mahdi (AS), we put our hands on our head out of respect to him being the divine leader of our time.

Wassalam.

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School . Salah (Prayers) . Qibla

I have been praying at school for the past year and a half and I checked the Qiblah with my friends. However, since then, someone has told me that the Qiblah was the other way. Is my Salah prayed so far valid or invalid?

If you prayed towards the first direction after proper searching for Qibla like compass or reliable Qibla application or asking trusted Muslims in the area, or any other way to find the direction of Qibla, then you discovered that it was wrong, then you don’t need to repeat your prayers if the difference is less than 90 degrees.

Wassalam.

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Qibla

What should I do if I cannot pray exactly towards the Qibla due to lack of space in a tiny room?

Zaid Alsalami, Shaykh Dr Zaid Alsalami is an Iraqi born scholar, raised in Australia. He obtained a BA from Al-Mustafa University, Qom, and an MA from the Islamic College in London. He also obtained a PhD from... Answered 3 years ago

Bismihi ta'ala

It is necessary to find the correct direction of the Qiblah, and aim at praying towards it. Having a tiny room would not be a good enough excuse to not pray towards the Qiblah. You are able to push aside some furniture, or find alternative places to pray. If you are within the overall right direction of the Qiblah, that would suffice.

And Allah knows best.

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Qibla . Ghusl

If one mistakenly faces the Qibla when performing Ghusl is it still valid?

Bismihi ta'ala

There is no shar'i problem if ghusl is done facing the Qiblah, or with back to the Qiblah.

It would not affect the ghusl in any way.

And Allah knows best.

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Face . Qibla . Adhan . Home

Is it mandatory to face the Qibla while we recite the Adhan at home?

Bismihi ta'ala

No, it is not mandatory, but only required.

And Allah knows best.

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Qibla . Mobile application . Compass

Are the various Qibla apps accurate? I have tried using a compass and an app, but I got two different opposite directions for the Qibla. What should I rely on?

We can not confirm that every compass is accurate nor every application is accurate. You need to check more than one compass or application when you have doubt.

You can also check the direction of sunrise or sunset which can help in many places.

Wassalam.

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Qibla . Salah (Prayers) . Air Travel

How can a person perform the obligatory prayers in an airplane? How should one determine the correct Qibla and timing?

We must try to perform our obligatory Prayers (Salah) where ever we are including in an airplane. We must try to find a suitable place to stand for few minutes to pray.

The direction of Qibla can be known through the cabin crew who usually ask the pilot about the direction of Makkah. You can also see the map of the journey and check where is Makkah from your flight route. There are also Qibla applications which can help.

In case you have no way at all to know the Qibla direction, you must pray facing any direction. After praying towards any direction which is obligatory , it will be recommended (not obligatory) to pray towards the other three directions.

If you are for any reason not allowed to stand to pray in the airplane, you should pray in sitting position on your seat.

The main point here is that the obligatory Prayers Must be performed in the best possible way within its time and it is not allowed at all to leave praying the obligatory Prayers till its time goes away.

Wassalam.

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Salah (Prayers) . Qibla

If I could not determine the direction towards the Qibla would my salat be considered valid?

Sayyed Muhammad Husaini Ragheb, Sayyed Muhammad Husaini Ragheb has a BA in Law from Guilan University, Iran and has also undertaken Hawzah studies in Qom. He used to be a Cultural Affairs director of Ethics Group of Al-Mustafa... Answered 6 years ago

If there is no way to find the Qibla direction then praying to one direction is enough but according to Mustahab precaution if you have enough time you may pray 3 other prayers to the other 3 directions.