Fatwa 11

Subject: Urgent Fatwa Required
Date: Wed, 10 Apr 2002 03:19:40 + 0000
From: “uzair khan”
To: ummqura@brain.net.pk

Muhtarram Mufti Sahib.

Assalaam-o-Alaikum
There is one question about a Mosque here in Boston, MA. USA area. We have a small issue about its direction of Kaaba. Few years ago, two scholars from England visited this Mosque and have find out thru compass etc the direction of Kaaba and it was little bit one the curve to left side instead of going straight according to the design of Masjid hall, which is in square. So they have decided that because of this slight difference, we don't need to make a slight left curved move but instead, make it straight just to keep the rows straight according to the hall of Masjid and it will not effect the Salat either. But if people move the direction of the rows to slightly left side according to the right direction of Kaaba then it will affect the rows' straightness in the hall. So is it OK to keep the direction of Rows straight just to maintain the straight rows in hall instead of fully facing to the right direction of Kaaba, which is on slight left side or we have no choice but to fully face the right direction of Kaaba. Please let us know, if there is any flexibility about-facing the direction of Kaaba.

Thank you,
Mohammad Uzair.

Subject: Reply of your query
Date: Thu , 25 Apr 2002 15:29:58 + 0500
From: Jamia Ashrafia <ummqura@brain.net.pk>
To: “uzair khan”

Dear Uzair Bazi

Assalaam-o-Alaikum

FUQAHA have written about fixation of QIBLA that the inhabitants of MAKKAH are bound to direct themselves exactly towards KAABA and that is binding only on inhabitants of MAKKAH (ALRAIQ page 284 Vol. 1). While people away from MAKKAH have only been directed to face towards KAABA and that complete side on which KAABA is supposed to be is taken for them as QIBAL. Therefore, if any person while saying the prayer has slightly diverted and is not completely turned away from KAABA then his SALAAT is alright since this much latitude is made for people other than the inhabitants of MAKKAH, however this diversion should not be more than 45 degree. Since you have fixed the direction with compass then after such authority it is not fair to ignore or neglect the same, it is now prohibited for you. The prayers you have said ignorantly are al-right. However, you should now correct your direction (Al-Behr Al-Raiq page 285 Vol. 1) & (Durr Al-Mukhtar page 68 Vol. 1)

Darul-Iftah
Jamia Ashrafia, Lahore