How To Perform Salah Where Qiblah
Is Not Known
Q. Sometimes
we are at a place where we do not know the exact direction of Qiblah.
How should we perform salah in such places? Can we use the scientific
instruments to find out the direction of the Qiblah? what should we do
if we do not have such instruments?
(Abdullah
- Toronto, Canada)
A. Certainly one can use the scientific instruments to find out
the accurate direction of Qiblah. However, if somebody is at a place where
he has no such instruments nor can he find anybody to tell him the correct
direction of the Qiblah, he should to the best of his ability findout
the direction by estimate. After doing his best, he can offer his prayer
facing a direction which seems to him more correct ; His salah will be
acceptable in Shariah.
In this case, even if it is learnt after performing Salah that the correct
direction was otherwise, the Salah is acceptable, and the same need not
be performed again. It should, however, be kept in mind that this rule
is applicable only to aperson who has done his best to find out the correct
direction of the Qiblah. Conversely, if he has not applied his mind to
ascertain the Qiblah and performed Salah carelessly to any direction,
his salah is not acceptable in case he has performed it facing a wrong
direction.
|