What is the qibla?
The qibla is the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca, which Muslims face when they pray. Every Muslim in the world, whether in London, Chicago or Jakarta, turns toward the same building for the five daily prayers. Facing the qibla is a condition for the obligatory prayer whenever you are able to.
What the word means
"Qibla" comes from an Arabic root meaning "to face". It points to the Kaaba, the cube-shaped building inside al-Masjid al-Haram, the Sacred Mosque in Mecca. Muslims believe it was built by Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his son Ismail as the first house of worship dedicated to the One God.
The qibla used to be Jerusalem
In the early years in Medina, the Prophet ﷺ and his companions prayed toward Jerusalem (Bayt al-Maqdis) for sixteen or seventeen months, though he longed to face the Kaaba. Then the verse above was revealed, and the qibla changed to Mecca (Sahih al-Bukhari 399). The news reached a group praying Fajr at Quba, and they turned around in the middle of the prayer (Sahih al-Bukhari 403). Muslims still honor Jerusalem as a holy city, but the qibla is now Mecca for good.
Facing it is not worshipping it
Muslims don't worship the Kaaba or pray to a stone. They worship Allah alone, and the qibla is a shared direction that unites them. Picture the whole world praying in circles around one point: that's the qibla in action. The Prophet ﷺ even described a Muslim as someone who "prays like us and faces our Qibla" (Sahih al-Bukhari 391), so it's a sign of belonging to the community.
How exact does it need to be?
If you can see the Kaaba, you face it exactly. Everyone else faces its general direction. The Prophet ﷺ said, "What is between the east and the west is Qiblah" (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 344, graded sahih). Scholars explain he meant the people of Medina, for whom Mecca lies to the south: a rough direction is enough. A small angle off doesn't ruin your prayer. Most people use a phone or a mosque's prayer niche (mihrab). See Can I use a qibla app to find the prayer direction?
The qibla also shows up outside prayer: it's recommended to face it when making dua, and the dead are buried on their right side facing it. Some people also ask about sleeping or sitting toward it. See Can I sleep with my feet pointing toward the Qibla?
- The qibla is the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca.
- It changed from Jerusalem to Mecca about a year and a half after the move to Medina.
- Muslims face it to unite in worship of Allah, not to worship the building.
- Facing the general direction is enough when you can't see the Kaaba.
People also ask
Is there a prayer to pray before traveling?
Is there a prayer before traveling? The 2 rakat before travel hadith is weak, but it's fine as voluntary prayer. What is authentic for setting out.
Read the full answer →How do I get a halal meal on a flight?
To get a halal meal on a flight, request the Muslim meal (MOML) when booking, at least 24-48 hours ahead, and confirm it with the crew on board.
Read the full answer →What is the difference between Hajj and Umrah?
The difference between Hajj and Umrah: Hajj has fixed dates and is a pillar of Islam; Umrah can be done any time in a few hours.
Read the full answer →Do I need a prayer mat to pray?
No, you don't need a prayer mat to pray. Any clean spot works: floor, grass, towel or jacket. When a mat helps and how to pray without one.
Read the full answer →What dua do I say when I travel?
Yes, say "Allahu Akbar" three times, then "Subhanalladhi sakhkhara lana hadha..." The Prophet said it when setting out on a journey.
Read the full answer →