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For people of the Muslim faith, knowing the qibla, or direction of prayer, is very important. This direction is toward the Ka'bah in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. There are several methods that one can use to orient themselves in the correct direction when in an unfamiliar location.
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Make a sundial. Find level ground, and before noon, place a stick or other vertical object that's about 3 feet (1m) high. [3]
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Make a mark on the ground at the tip of the shadow.
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Measure the length of the shadow, and draw a circle around the stick using the shadow length as the radius.
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As the day progresses, the shadow will shorten and move away from the circle. It will eventually start to lengthen as the day wears on, and then touch the circle again. At that point, make another mark, and draw a line between the two marks you made.
- The line is west to east, with the first point being west, the second being east.
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Draw a line perpendicular to the west-east line, and this is your north-south line.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionIs the direction of the Qibla where the sun rises?Community AnswerNo, the sun rises in the east. The direction of the Qibla varies depending on your location.
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QuestionHow do I know what direction to look while praying the Qibla?Laith M. SrhanCommunity AnswerUse a mobile app to locate Qibla at your area. Use iSalam: Qibla Compass for IOS or Qibla Compass for Android.
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QuestionWhat do I need to say at the beginning of each namaz?Community AnswerSubhanaka Allahahuma Wabehamdeka Watabarakasmuka Watala Jaduka Wailaha Garoka.
Video
Tips
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The exact geographical coordinates for the Kaaba are 21°25′21.15″N 39°49′34.1″E.Thanks
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If traveling to an unfamiliar location or someplace outdoors, try to note your location beforehand, then use one of the aforementioned techniques to find the correct direction to Makkah.Thanks
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If you have a PDA, there are some free Islamic software applications that can show you the Qibla during day or at night, based on your location.Thanks
Warnings
- The sun rises and sets in different places depending on the time of year (summer vs. winter) and your location on the globe. Also, finding direction using the sun becomes less reliable the closer you are to the equator.Thanks
References
About This Article
To find the qibla, make sure you know where in the world you are in relation to Makkah. Then, orient yourself by looking at where the sun rises, which will be in the east. Next, turn to face the correct direction, such as east if you're in the US or north in South Africa. Alternatively, download an app for your phone, which will use GPS technology. You can also find the direction by holding a compass flat in front of you and waiting until the needle points north. Then, use this to figure out which way you have to face. To find out how to use a watch to locate the qibla, read on!