Hediyeh19995 5 months ago
0 replies
You
can know the Qibla direction by using the Qibla Finder at
onlinecompass.net/qibla-finder. It's online, free, precise, and easy to use.
Simply visit the website, allow location access, and it will accurately point
you towards the Qibla. This tool is especially helpful for travelers and anyone
needing a quick and reliable way to find the direction of prayer.
What is the
accurate direction of Qibla?
Tono
Saksono, Islamic Science Research Network at HAMKA University in the
article “Geodetic analysis of disputed accurate qibla direction” published
in Journal of Applied Geodesy
explains:
The accurate direction of the Qibla, towards which Muslims face during
prayer, has long been a topic of debate among Muslim communities worldwide,
from developing to developed countries. This study aimed to analyze the
geodetic azimuths of the Qibla calculated using three different Earth models.
Our findings suggest that the ellipsoidal model of the Earth provides the most
accurate method for determining the direction of the Kaaba from any location on
the Earth's surface.
However, it's important to note that even with accurate geodetic
calculations, a Muslim cannot physically face the Qibla correctly if they
cannot see the Kaaba due to various obstacles or movements during prayer, which
can significantly shift the Qibla direction from the actual position of the
Kaaba. Therefore, the requirement of facing towards the Kaaba is more of a
spiritual prerequisite than a physical necessity.
Understanding the Direction
of Prayer in Islam
According
to Sahih al-Bukhari, a collection of hadith compiled by Imam Muhammad
al-Bukhari:
The Qibla refers to the direction of prayer in Islam, facing the Kaaba in
Mecca. Initially, the Prophet Muhammad and his followers prayed facing
Jerusalem (Bait-ul-Maqdis) for 16-17 months. However, the Prophet wished to
face the Kaaba, and Allah revealed Quranic verses (2.144 and 2.149) instructing
him to do so. The change in Qibla was a significant event in Islamic history,
and the Prophet and his followers turned their faces towards the Kaaba during
prayer. The Qibla has remained an essential aspect of Islamic prayer,
symbolizing unity and spiritual connection with the holy city of Mecca.
Based on the text, here are the key points about the Qibla:
- Initially, the
Prophet Muhammad and his followers prayed facing Jerusalem
(Bait-ul-Maqdis).
- The Prophet
wished to face the Kaaba in Mecca, and Allah revealed Quranic verses
instructing him to do so.
- The change in
Qibla occurred during the Prophet's lifetime, and he prayed facing the
Kaaba after the revelation.
- The Qibla was
changed from Jerusalem to the Kaaba, which has remained the direction of
prayer in Islam since then.
- The Qibla is an
essential aspect of Islamic prayer, symbolizing unity and spiritual
connection with the holy city of Mecca.
Determining the Qibla
Direction using Cartography
When Muslims respond to the call to prayer, they must orient themselves
towards the Kaaba, a sacred edifice in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. While the direction
is straightforward for those in proximity to Mecca, Muslims in North America
face a challenge in determining the correct direction. This direction is known
as the Qibla.
The controversy surrounding the Qibla stems from the various methods used
to determine the direction of Mecca.
Some Muslims employ a practical approach by using a flat map to locate
their position, identify Mecca, and draw a straight line (rhumb line) between
the two points. This line is then used to calculate the angle required to face
Mecca from a cardinal direction (true north or due east).
However, determining the cardinal directions poses an additional
challenge. While magnetic compasses can provide a general indication of north,
they actually point towards the Magnetic North Pole, which is distinct from the
geographic North Pole and is located in Canada. The magnetic north pole is also
in constant motion.
To accurately determine true north, one must account for the magnetic
declination, which is the difference between true north and magnetic north.
This variation can be significant in northern regions. Fortunately, the US
Government provides a resource to calculate magnetic declination for any
location in the US.
Once true north is established, one can adjust their orientation by the
required degrees to face Mecca. Many mosques have already determined the Qibla
direction and marked it on a wall, serving as a convenient reference for
worshipers.
The Evolution of the Qibla: Uncovering the Early
Directions of Islamic Prayer
Daniel Gibson, a
Canadian author studying the early history of Arabia and Islam says:
The Qibla, a fundamental aspect of Islamic prayer, refers to the
direction a Muslim must face during their daily devotions. While most Muslims
believe that the original Qibla was the Holy House in Jerusalem, also known as
Bait ul Maqdis, the exact direction of the early Qibla is a matter of debate
among historians and scholars.
According to Islamic sources, the Jerusalem Qibla was used from 610 CE
until 623 CE, a period of approximately 13 years. However, the Qur'an does not
explicitly mention Jerusalem as the first Qibla, and the practice of facing
Jerusalem appears only in the biographies of Muhammad and some hadith
collections. Moreover, there is disagreement among scholars about when this
practice started and how long it lasted.
The change in Qibla occurred in 624 CE, when Muhammad received a
revelation from God instructing him to turn his face towards Masjid al-Haram,
the Forbidden Sanctuary in Mecca. This event took place during the noon prayer
in the Quba mosque in Medina, where Muhammad and his companions were praying.
According to traditional accounts, Muhammad immediately turned around to face
Mecca, and those praying behind him followed his lead.
Despite the clarity of this account, the early Islamic literature is
unclear about the exact direction of the original Qibla. Some hadith and
historical accounts suggest that Syria was the initial Qibla, while others
mention "bayt muqadis" (the Holy House) and al-Aqsa or the "far
mosque." The term "qibla" later came to refer not only to the
direction of prayer but also to the direction south, as seen in references to
southern Lebanon as "qiblat-lubnan."
To better understand the early Qiblas, I embarked on a personal survey of
Arabia's archeological history in 1979, traveling extensively throughout the
Middle East and visiting numerous mosques and historical sites over the next 25
years. My research aimed to shed light on the original direction of the Qibla
and its evolution over time.
Orienting the Believer: The Qibla's Role in Shaping
Early Islamic Community
Dr.
Ari M. Gordon - Director of Muslim-Jewish Relations in the study called “ The
Qibla As Ritual, Metaphor, And Identity Marker In Early Islam “ explores the role of the qibla (direction of
prayer) in early Islam, focusing on its function as a ritual, metaphor, and
identity marker that distinguished Muslims from other religious communities,
particularly Christians and Jews.
The dissertation consists of four interconnected projects that span from
the emergence of Islam in Late Antiquity to the Early Middle Ages. It examines
the qibla's presentation in the Qur'an, its usage as a term to express Islamic
community, its role in scholarly discussions of abrogation (naskh), and the
interpretation of misaligned mosques.
The study aims to demonstrate how the qibla served as a powerful symbol
in constructing Islamic collective identity and marking boundaries with other
religious groups. The author proposes three lenses for examining collective
identity in premodern societies: identity as imagined, identity as a process,
and identity as inexhaustible.
Overall, the dissertation provides a nuanced understanding of the qibla's
significance in early Islam, moving beyond historical reconstruction and
scientific calculation to explore its discursive and ritual processes that
fostered a sense of group belonging.
