What does "qibla" mean?
Literally from Arabic, qibla means what is opposite. This word can have another form - “qibla”, which is used less often. But its use is also correct. In the Muslim world, this direction plays an important role. It points to the shrine - towards the holy Kaaba. This cubic building is located in the city of Mecca (Saudi Arabia). Wherever a believer is, he must read prayer several times every day. The face at this time should be turned towards the Kaaba.
Therefore, it is very important to determine the direction of the world in which the shrine is located. This is the only way that Allah can hear the words of the one who prays. You can often hear the incorrect expression that Muslims pray towards the east. Since it depends on where on the planet the person praying is currently located. There are different ways to determine the qibla, including ancient ones, bequeathed by ancestors. But now there is no need for this. After all, every person has available tools in the form of a computer and a mobile phone.
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So I decided to tell them about the existence of such a thing as “sharing of telecommunications infrastructure.”
A way to determine which side of the Holy Kaaba is online via an Android phone
For Android mobile device users there is the Qibla Finde application, which can be downloaded from Google Play. This is a simple but at the same time very useful tool. It will work in any country, wherever you are.
In order for the program to work, you need to connect your device to the global Internet. With this application, you don’t need to worry about upcoming prayers in a new place.
As soon as you launch this online compass, you will immediately be able to determine the direction of the Kaaba:
- After launching this program, you need to click on the tab at the top to display all the functions of this application;
- Select the location icon and allow the device to determine your location;
- An icon in the form of the Kaaba will appear in the center of the screen, and a line will indicate where you need to turn your face.
This application has several advantages, the main one being simplicity. To use it you do not need to make any settings. After launch, the desired cardinal direction will immediately appear on the screen. In the application you can also additionally find out the coordinates of the qibla: side, latitude and other parameters. It is completely free and has no paid features or subscriptions. And also will not take up much space in the memory of your smartphone.
How to find the qibla using a compass on an iPhone
Each user has their own preferences in mobile technology. Some people basically buy smartphones and computers with the IOS operating system. Considering it better and of higher quality. These people can also use the special Qibla Compass application to determine the side of the Kaaba.
You can download it using a direct link from the App Store mobile market. A simple and convenient interface will allow you to determine the qibla without effort and the need to make any settings.
After launch, a round compass with three arrows will appear on the screen. Two of them point to opposite sides of the world - north and south. The third arrow will always point to the Kaaba. This side of the compass is depicted as a reduced size of the holy building.
To become correct, you need to turn the compass so that the thin arrow points to the Kaaba. Turn around so that you are looking in the same direction. After which you can begin prayer.
The reason this app has ads is because all of its features are free. But the developers offer to get rid of it by purchasing a paid subscription. If you also want to remove ads from the application, then be aware that after deleting it and installing it again from the App Store, you will need to pay again to remove ads. This happens because you cannot create an account in it.
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Instructions for finding the location of the qibla on your computer
You can also determine the qibla on any computer and through any browser. You don't even need a compass for this. To do this, use the online tool from Google at the link - Qiblafinder.
It works automatically and is available in different languages. If the service has determined your location and page or language incorrectly, you can change it in the settings. To do this, open the page and select the menu button.
The further procedure to find out in which direction the qibla is located:
- Hover over the menu button;
- Click on the current language in the list;
- A list of languages will open, select yours from among them.
Now click on the “Get Started” button on the main screen. The system will warn you that the qibla search is optimized for mobile devices. But you can also find out her side through a computer screen. Your location will appear on the screen.
And also a straight line indicating the direction in which the face of the person praying should be turned. At the bottom of the screen on the right is an enlarged map with the names of countries. And the location of the sacred building.
Online service for identifying the Kaaba
A convenient way to search for the qibla is the online service vremia-namaza.ru.
This site also offers to determine online the location of the point on the map towards which you need to turn. For the site to determine your location, you need to click on the compass button on the right side of the screen if you are using a computer.
This resource is entirely dedicated to Muslim believers. In addition to determining the qibla, you can find many useful sections on it. On the left side of the screen there is a button for listening to the adhan.
You can turn up the volume on your computer and press the listen button so that everyone close to you can hear the call. You can see the point on the map immediately upon entering the site. It is indicated by a green line crossing the map area from your city to the Kaaba. And it exactly indicates the direction of the face of the person praying. The website has a digital version of the Quran. You can also see Namaz times. The “Broadcasts from Mecca” section shows recordings of believers praying right next to the sacred building.
Importance for performing namaz
The Holy Book of Allah, the Quran, says: “ We have seen you turn your face to the sky, and We will turn you to a qibla with which you will be pleased ” (2:144).
Muslim norms prescribe that the face and body of a person performing prayer must be directed towards the direction where the Kaaba is located - this is one of the conditions for the validity of prayer; if a person does not specifically follow the direction of the qibla in his prayers, his prayer will be invalid. Therefore, a Muslim should definitely learn how to determine the qibla with or without a compass, in the direction of the Sun or in other possible ways.
Is it possible to determine the qibla without devices?
Independently determining the side of the qibla may not be as accurate as when using special devices and online compasses.
But if there are no other means, then you can use the following methods:
- You can purchase special rugs with a compass sewn into them, pointing towards the Kaaba;
- If you have a map at hand, you can use it to determine the desired location. Here are the coordinates: 21 degrees 25'15 N. 39 degrees 49'34.1;
- Before any long journey, you can find the desired point on the map in advance and determine for yourself the direction in which to pray;
- If there is a mosque nearby, then you can recognize the side in it. Also, all mosques in the world are built facing the direction of the qibla. The sides where you should pray should also be marked near it;
- Even if you find yourself in the middle of a deserted desert, the Holy Scripture recommends trying by all possible means to determine the location of the Kaaba, based on your knowledge or guesses.
First of all, if there are no available means, a Muslim should determine the cardinal directions. To do this, in sunny weather, use any cane stuck in the ground. In the afternoon, its shadow will point directly to the east.
Is it a sin to pray in the other direction?
In the absence of reliable landmarks, when you cannot establish the qibla yourself, you can ask another Muslim for directions. Such actions will be perceived as normal. Incorrect orientation during prayer due to a mistake by the “prompter” will not be considered a sin for the person asking.
In emergency situations and cases where there is a threat to life, the person praying can arbitrarily choose the direction for prayer. A mistake under such conditions will not be considered a sin.
