For Muslims, knowing the qibla, or the direction of prayer, is very important. This direction is aimed at the Ka'bah in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. There are several methods you can use to orient yourself in the right direction when you are in an unfamiliar place.
Steps
Step 1. Find out where you are in the world in relation to Mecca
It is a common mistake to think that Muslims always pray facing east, it is only true if you are west of Mecca. In the United States, it is roughly south-south east. In Japan you would face west - north west and in South Africa north - north east. and US,
Step 2. Use the sun
For millennia, sailors have relied on the sun to know their location. Knowing where the sun rises and sets can give you the approximate location of Mecca.
Step 3. Build a sundial
Find flat ground, and before noon, plant a stick or other object at least 1m long on the ground.
- Make a mark on the ground at the end of the shadow.
- Measure the length of the shadow, and draw a circle around the stick using that length as a radius.
- As the day goes by, the shadow will shorten and move away from the circle. It will begin to stretch as the day gets longer, and then touch the circle again. At that point, make another mark, and draw a line between the two marks you made.
- From east to west, with the first end being the west and the second the east.
- Draw a line perpendicular to the west-east line, and it will be your north-south line.
Step 4. Use a watch
Using an analog clock with hour and minute hands will allow you to find directions.
- In the northern hemisphere. Hold the watch horizontally and point the hour hand towards the sun.
- The direction that is halfway between the hour hand and 12 on the clock is south. From there, you can determine the other directions.
- In the southern hemisphere. Hold the clock horizontally, and point the hour hand towards the sun.
- The direction that is halfway between 12 and the hour hand will be north.
Step 5. Use a compass
It's an old but good method that won't tell you where the qibla is, but if you know where you are compared to Mecca, it's more accurate than a stick on the ground.
Step 6. Use technology
- There are many applications for iPhone or iPad that thanks to the integrated GPS and compass can point you in the correct direction regardless of your location.
- On the web there are sites that calculate the direction of the shortest distance from the Qibla. For example, from Portland, Oregon, being 17 degrees northeast is a shorter distance than southeast.
Advice
- If you have a smartphone, there are several applications that can show you where the Qibla is both day and night, based on your location.
- The geographical coordinates of the Kaaba are 21 ° 25′21.15 ″ N 39 ° 49′34.1 ″ E.
- You can go to the local Mosque which will be facing the Qibla or will have lines on the floor to indicate where to stand.
- You can use a service like QiblaFinder to locate qibla from different places around the world.
- There are prayer mats that have included a compass pointing towards the Qibla.
- If you are traveling to a place you do not know or are outside, try to write down your location first, then use one of the technologies mentioned above to find the direction of the Makkah.
