How to Find the Qibla Direction

What the Qibla is

Allah commanded the Prophet ﷺ and the believers to turn their faces toward the Sacred Mosque in prayer, wherever they are (Quran 2:144). The Kaaba is the focus of this direction. Muslims all over the world form circles around it.

Facing the Qibla is a condition of the prayer for a person who is able to do so. The direction is also used for other acts, such as the burial of the dead.

It is good to learn the Qibla of your home, your workplace and the places where you often pray.

How the direction is worked out

The Earth is round, so the shortest path between two places is a curve called a great circle. The Qibla direction is the start of the great-circle path from your place to the Kaaba.

A calculation uses the latitude and longitude of your place and of the Kaaba. The result is an angle measured from true north. A compass needle points to magnetic north, which is not exactly the same as true north. The difference is called magnetic declination, and it changes from place to place.

Using a phone compass well

A phone can give a good direction if you use it carefully.

• Hold the phone flat and away from your body.
• Stay away from metal objects, speakers, magnets, car bodies and large electrical devices.
• Remove a magnetic phone case or stand.
• Calibrate the compass. Many phones ask you to move the phone in a figure-eight pattern.
• Check the result in two or three spots, and compare it with the mosque or a map nearby.
• Turn on location, so the phone knows where you are.

If you cannot find the Qibla

Sometimes you have no compass, no signal and no one to ask. In this case, scholars say you should make an honest effort and pray in the direction that you believe is nearest to the Qibla. This effort is called ijtihad. Look for signs such as the direction of a local mosque, the sun, or a map you remember.

If you made a real effort, most scholars say your prayer is valid, even if you later learn that the direction was slightly off. Allah does not burden a soul beyond its ability (Quran 2:286).

In a plane or while travelling

In a plane, train or bus, face the Qibla as well as you can at the start of the prayer. If the vehicle turns and you cannot turn with it, scholars say you may continue as you are able. Some scholars have different views about obligatory prayers on a moving vehicle, so ask a qualified scholar if you can.

For voluntary prayers on a mount, it was reported that the Prophet ﷺ prayed facing the direction in which his animal was going (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim).

Sources

• Quran 2:144
• Quran 2:286
• Sahih al-Bukhari (Book of Prayer)
• Sahih Muslim (Book of Prayer for Travellers)